By Mimi McKinnis
Children not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Six out of every 10 low-income students have no books in their homes. It’s these statistics, along with other research published by the Always Dream Foundation, that inspire the organization’s founder and 1992 Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi’s continued efforts toward literary success — especially when a global pandemic has derailed educational norms.
“Being a mom, I learned a lot through the foundation — statistics like one in five adults in the U.S. doesn’t read proficiently,” Yamaguchi, whose daughters just entered their freshman and junior years of high school via COVID-mandated virtual learning, said. “I was shocked to learn that. The kids we work with through the foundation are now my children, and they’re going to get what they need to be successful.
“The Always Dream Foundation is in its 24th year now, so it’s been a constant goal of mine for a long time. We focus on early literacy, support literary programs and support initiatives that allow children to continue learning and reading at home. It’s something I’m constantly working on and passionate about.”
With COVID-19 impacting much of the country’s back-to-school plans, the foundation’s latest initiative stresses that education isn’t canceled, and the importance of continuing to make time for reading together at home, regardless of current health guidelines and learning circumstances.
“So many people all across the country are experiencing a whole new way to learn, and this is just such an easy, quick tip,” Yamaguchi said. “This is a huge adjustment for everyone. With the preschool and kindergarten age group, reading is essential for building that foundation for learning. Plus, the skills they gain translate to all of their other subjects. Carving out that time is a gift you can give them that makes a huge difference in both their literary success and in life.”
The Always Dream Foundation’s Always Reading program strives to combat the statistics of low-income students by providing families with digital tablets and a curated library of high-quality, age-appropriate books for kindergartners. In addition, a book coach supports families and teachers to encourage parent engagement and promote the development of at-home reading routines — an element of long-term literary and educational achievement that can easily be fostered under 2020’s safer-at-home regulations.
“The challenges parents are facing right now are really tough,” Yamaguchi said. “They have to be teacher at home and help support the existing teachers at the same time. Getting that 10-15 minutes of reading time in can let them take a break and separate time just for reading together as a family. In our household, it was so helpful to set up a routine. It becomes something your kids look forward to. Ours started picking out books themselves before we even said anything. Making this time helps foster a love of books and a love of reading.”
To learn more about the Always Dream Foundation, including literacy programs, events and ways to get involved, visit www.AlwaysDream.org.
