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Date 5-30-06
Contact Alicia Westbrook 601.266.5163
Hattiesburg—The
Hattiesburg Mayor’s Council for Early Learning Opportunities and
the Institute for Disability Studies’ Project SEED at the University
of Southern Mississippi will host “Saturday in the Park” from 10:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Vernon Dahmer Park in
Hattiesburg, all in an effort to promote early literacy opportunities
for children.
The event is
open to the community, and all children who attend will leave with
a book and the memory of a fun experience. Activities will focus
on favorite children’s stories and will include events such as a
special reading by Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree.
"I try
to never miss an opportunity to read to children,” DuPree said.
“Not only do I love to see their faces as they wait eagerly to hear
where the story will take them, but also I know it may help instill
in them a lifelong love for reading. Reading is an essential building
block for success in life, and starting a child down that path as
early as possible is critical."
The message
of Project SEED is that early literacy is more than reading and
writing; it starts from birth and involves play and interaction
within a child’s natural environments. Project SEED’s goal is to
support and enhance school readiness in all children.
“Saturday in
the Park” is a way to introduce parents to the importance of literacy
in the life of their young child, says Dr. Jane Siders, director
of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). “Parents will have
the opportunity to review books that young children love and to
take home ideas for instilling a love of reading that will last
a lifetime,” Siders said.
To learn more
about Project SEED, visit www.usm.edu/ids
or call 601.266.5163. Project SEED is funded by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children and Families.
For more information, call Alicia Westbrook at 601.266.5163.
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