CDA Blogs

Literacy is at the heart of the CDA’s mission to give children the best start to their brightest future. By developing strong literacy skills early, we’re building a foundation for success for our CDA students and their entire family. Our literacy initiatives are designed to educate children in the classroom while also giving parents the tools they need to help them develop foundational reading comprehension skills at home. Studies have shown that early parental involvement in literacy has a lasting and profound impact on children’s academic success (Clark, 2009, citing Mullis et al., 2004). When parents read to their children, they do more than foster essential skills for school and life—they create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.

Our dedicated Literacy Coach, Yehymmy Mora, has developed a variety of engaging activities that not only strengthen students’ early literacy skills but also encourage them to share their learning with their families. With over a decade at the CDA, Yehymmy has created meaningful and enjoyable reading experiences that bring students and their families together through the joy of literacy.

Activities like our weekly Literacy Packs, Hands up for Reading, and the beloved “Birthday Box” promote early literacy skills and lay a strong foundation for future academic success. They support school readiness, foster critical thinking, and instill a love of lifelong learning (National Institute for Literacy, 2008; Early Intervention Foundation, 2016). Each initiative is designed to engage both students and their families in the learning process, ensuring that reading is a fun and rewarding experience for all.

Pre-K Literacy Packs

Every Tuesday, Pre-K students have the opportunity to check out a book to read with their parents before returning it on Thursday. Over the course of a year, they explore dozens of books—often revisiting their favorites. These literacy packs go beyond just providing books; they create meaningful reading experiences that strengthen language skills and expand knowledge.

As Yehymmy explains, “These literacy packs contain a quality book and activity cards that engage parents and children in simple activities, exposing them to new words, ideas, and concepts.” Some activities include drawing the animals featured in the books, parents asking their children guided comprehension questions, and completing mini arts and crafts projects using the provided kits.

For many Pre-K children, Tuesdays are the highlight of their week. Yehymmy shares, “I love to see the children use their memory skills to recall the books they haven’t taken home yet to enjoy with their families. It’s fascinating how attentive they are when they come to the table to select a new book.” Altogether, students bring home and read more than 1,500 books with their parents each year—helping to build a love of reading that will benefit them and their family for years to come.

Hands Up for Reading

Each week, our two-year old, three year old, and pre-k students take home a slip of paper with the outline of a hand. Together, children and parents write the books they’ve read each day on a finger until the hand is complete leading up to Friday, otherwise known as Treasure Box Day. After a week of reading at home, if a student has filled out all five fingers on their hand, they get to visit the Treasure Box with Yehymmy, share the books they’ve read, and pick a prize. This fun tradition reinforces their love of reading and keeps them engaged week after week.

Yehymmy says, “This program motivates children and families to get in the habit of reading aloud on a daily basis. It helps children improve their language skills, boost vocabulary, attention span, memory skills, and narrative skills.” Our Center Director, Cassidy Phillips, whose two children attend the CDA, shares, “They are thrilled to pick a stack of books to read before bed and get so excited to show Ms. Yehymmy their Hands Up for Reading list to talk about all the books we’ve read throughout the week.”

Promoting At-Home Reading

To ensure that books are accessible to every family, we provide multiple opportunities for children to take books home. Through our Little Free Library, families can pick up books free of charge. We also host regular book drives in partnership with local volunteers and organizations, where we accept gently used books to support our at-home reading initiatives. Additionally, we maintain a bin of free books in both English and Spanish available year-round for parents to take home, helping strengthen household literacy skills in multiple languages. Our goal is to empower parents to create print-rich environments at home, fostering a love of reading and setting the stage for future academic success.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), children raised in print-rich environments hear 30 million more words by the time they turn 3 compared to children in less print-rich environments (NAEYC, 2014). This early exposure to language is critical for building strong literacy skills, which is why we at the CDA are committed to providing families with the resources they need to create home libraries that support their children’s learning.

Birthday Box

For their birthdays, students get to visit the Birthday Box and select a book they’d like to take home as a gift. They also have the opportunity to read with Yehymmy on the Birthday Box bench. When asked why she started this tradition, Yehymmy shares, “I wanted to make their birthday extra special and help them start or expand their home library.” Having a collection of books at home is crucial for continued reading comprehension and literacy development throughout the year. Having as few as 20 books in the home can help students achieve higher levels of education (Evans et al., 2010, as cited in Scholastic Home Libraries Presentation, 2022).

Family Literacy Night

The CDA’s literacy initiatives aim to bring families together in the shared joy of reading. Twice a year, families are invited to participate in Family Literacy Night—an event that offers the chance to connect with others, enjoy a reading experience, watch a special performance, and share a meal. “The environment is created to foster a love of reading and strengthen family bonds,” says Yehymmy. Family Literacy Night’s goal is not just to build community, but also to help families “understand the importance of literacy and inspire excitement to continue fostering reading habits at home,” explains Cassidy. The CDA also provides families with the chance to bond with others in similar life stages while enjoying a buffet-style dinner and a performance, all free of charge.

With years of experience in early childhood education, our Center Director, Cassidy Phillips, understands the profound impact of the CDA’s literacy initiatives. She explains, “Fostering an early love for literacy creates a lifelong passion for learning. Watching our students eagerly pick out their Literacy Packs, complete with a book and activity sheet, is a heartwarming reminder of the difference we’re making.” CDA parent Beth Vega, reflects on the broader impact, sharing, “These programs have benefited not just my child, but our entire family. It has made a dramatic change for us all.” At the CDA, we believe that a strong foundation in literacy doesn’t just shape a child’s education, it enriches their family’s future as well.