This month, over 4,000 pre-k students will receive Pigsty/El chiquero as part of December’s book title for Success By 6 Page Turner Reading Program.

The book is part of United Way’s school readiness focus that helps children birth to age 6 learn, grow, and enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

Wendell Fultz’s mom thinks her son’s bedroom is “turning into a pigsty!” Little does she knows to what extent: a real pig, and his friends, have moved in, forcing Wendell to clean up his act — with some help from his hooved friends. In Pigsty/El chiquero, author Mark Teague uses a humorous storyline to teach children about responsibility through the importance of keeping a clean, organized space.

Each month during the school year, pre-k children receive their very own age-appropriate book selected by early childhood specialists.

Children begin to build their personal libraries and parents receive activities on each book to engage their young child in learning at home. Teachers also incorporate curriculum developed around each book title into their classroom. Books and materials are provided for English- and Spanish-speaking families.

The Page Turner Reading Program, in partnership with City of Rockford Head Start, The Diocese of Rockford, Harlem School District #122, Kreative K, Montessori and Rockford Public Schools District #205, assists pre-school teachers in developing pre-literacy skills essential for kindergarten readiness.

Since the majority of brain development occurs between birth and age five, quality early learning and care programs have a profound impact on lifelong success and support cognitive, social and emotional development.

For more information on United Way’s Success By 6 Page Turner Reading Program or its work in school readiness, contact Linda Sandquist by e-mailing lindas@unitedwayrrv.org or by calling 815-968-5400.

–Winnebago Chronicle news sources