Alissa Taylor, senior managing director of program implementation for Save the Children, who is based in Berea, said it is important to start early by getting books into children's hands, but noted it can be challenging in rural ZIP codes.
"Libraries are smaller. There's less access to books there, and the renewal of current books that children may be interested in or want to read doesn't happen as often just because of lack of resources and lack of funding," Taylor explained.
Learn Without Limits wants every child to read on grade level by third grade. Tips for parents and caregivers include spending 10 minutes each day reading to kids, gifting books, supporting local teachers, and helping ensure children have nutritious food and other essentials to promote mental and physical health.
Taylor added that literacy in young children is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success.
"There are a lot of benefits and pros to living in rural Kentucky. That's where I grew up, and I love it. I have really fond memories, but I also know that I was behind when I went to EKU, Eastern Kentucky University, as a college student," Taylor recounted.
Mary McInerney, national head of program implementation for Save the Children, said falling behind on reading can lead to a cascade of effects on children’s relationship to school, learning, and how children view themselves.
"Grade-level materials have become frustrating, overwhelming. Children become disengaged. Confidence goes down. Children just see themselves as a failure," McInerney emphasized.
According to a Save the Children report, elementary and middle school students in rural America read half a grade level behind their non-rural peers.
