October Newsletter 2025

Teri Ann Cox
Executive Director of The Children’s Center

Dear Families,

I love books and reading – always have. And I especially appreciate the focus The Children’s Center has on early literacy. From our modest little library outside of my office where children can check out books, to the Read It Once Again curriculum we use in our preschool program that has an intense focus on language and foundational skills, we aim to engage the children in our care with stories, early and often.

So, as the weather starts to cool and change, it’s a perfect opportunity to curl up with a good book. In fact, every October, National Book Month is celebrated to promote the love of reading and its importance in everyday life. Did you know that reading a good book is one of the best things you can do for your mental health? And research shows it also greatly improves vocabulary, spelling, and even memory. Reading to young children is vital because it provides exposure to new words and expressions, which leads to cognitive and language development. It also fosters social-emotional skills like empathy, strengthens the bonds between parent and child, and lays the foundation for future academic success. To learn more about how to support your child’s growth as a young reader, I recommend the “Literacy at Home” tab on the Reading Rockets website www.readingrockets.org.

In the month ahead, you will see a lot of activity around reading and early literacy, particularly if your child is a preschooler. Believe in Books will be stopping by the Center and Magic Moments on Friday, October 3. Their mission is to advance healthy development of young minds through literacy programs. Each child will receive a book to add to their own home library. Altrusa International of Carroll County has joined up with local libraries to promote the program called “1000 Books Before Kindergarten.” Packets regarding this information and book lists that preschoolers enjoy will be going home in the weeks ahead. Wednesday, October 8, at 5:30 p.m. we will have our first Family Literacy Night of the school year. Please plan to sign up on the sheet located outside of your child’s classroom and join us for a pizza dinner, special reading, and craft time. Every child will receive a copy of The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. I hope to see you there!

With kind regards,

Teri Ann