Since 2011, the H-E-B Read 3 has encouraged children and families to make reading a part of their weekly routine. These efforts have reached thousands of families across Texas, highlighting the importance of family engagement and helping children get a strong start on their journey of learning to read.
Pre-K 4 SA is proud to partner with H-E-B Read 3 to raise awareness about the benefits of reading together at home and empowering families to make it part of their routine.
Reading at Home and the Benefits of Family Engagement
Reading with children at home is one of the best things a family can do to support their child’s development. Making reading together a part of your routine has several benefits that help prepare them for a lifetime of learning.
When you read aloud with children, it teaches them that pictures and words are symbols with meaning. This practice connects the images they see in books with their everyday experiences, helping to form the foundations for learning from a young age.
It also teaches children about the basics of reading. Children aren’t born knowing that books are read top-to-bottom, left-to-right, and front-to-back. Reading together familiarizes them with print conventions, giving them the confidence to explore reading on their own.
Reading together is a great way to expose them to new words and expand their vocabulary. Expanding a child’s vocabulary has several benefits, from making them better readers to encouraging curiosity and helping them express themselves.
Reading together is part of the daily routine at Pre-K 4 SA, but families play an equally important role in helping children develop a love of reading. Sharing books not only fosters literacy, but it also enriches their lives and strengthens their relationship with family members. The more time children spend reading at home with their families, the more likely they are to enjoy reading as they grow.
H-E-B Read 3 Empowers Families to Read Together
In the 15 years since it launched, H-E-B Read 3 has encouraged thousands of families to read to their young children three or more times a week at home. H-E-B supports this effort by organizing book donations, mobilizing volunteers, and making donations to public libraries, schools, and community organizations across Texas. To date, over 6 million books have been donated to Texas children and families.
Families can download free activity sheets and at-home lessons, available in both English and Spanish, from H-E-B Read 3:
Participate in This Year’s H-E-B Read 3 at Pre-K 4 SA
Reading together and making healthy food choices are important ways families can support their children’s growth and development. Families can build both habits through H-E-B Read 3’s five-week fall program beginning in early October.
What you’ll do:
- Meet with Pre-K 4 SA staff once a week in your center’s family café for an hour and a half. Children will participate in literacy activities, while their family members will take part in discussions and activities designed to support the child at home.
What you’ll get:
- Two books per week to add to your home library
- Cooking tips and a healthy snack
- An H-E-B gift card and a backpack with supplies
Reach out to your family liaison to learn more.
