Tony Tobin Elementary School students dressed as storybook characters on March 5 as they completed a week of activities marking Read Across America Day at the Temecula campus.

Through its annual program, the National Education Association encourages schools, libraries, community centers and other organizations to help "build a nation of readers" by bringing youths and books together.

Huntington Learning Center in Temecula jumped on the bandwagon by giving each Tony Tobin student a Dr. Seuss Read Across America bookmark and by donating a box of books to the school library. 

"Read Across America Day, celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, gives education professionals like us another reason to show children and teenagers in the community how important and exciting reading can be for them," said Richard Wilson of Huntington Learning Center of Temecula.

"Reading is such an integral part of growing. And, with the continued popularity around technology advances in social media, cell phones and video games, we want to bring back the ‘fun’ in fundamental reading," Wilson said in a press release.

"In recognition of Read Across America Day, we want to encourage parents to make reading fun for everyone in their family, but it’s important for parents to know they should be good examples as readers; let your children see you reading everyday and watch them practice positive reading habits on their own," Wilson said. 

Founded in 1977, Huntington describes itself as the nation’s longest-running supplemental education services provider. The company provides instruction in reading, writing, spelling, phonics, mathematics and study skills as well as SAT and ACT preparation.

The national association is in its 14th year of its Read Across America Day campaign, commemorating the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, a renowned San Diego writer and cartoonist who, prior Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] to his death in September 1991, was most widely known for his children’s books written under the pen name Dr. Seuss.

NEA’s initiative calls for professionals and other adults to motivate children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. Wilson recommends the following examples that can help parents encourage their children to read:

-- Mark your calendar for reading time. Designate a day and time where each family member in your household comes together for at least 30 minutes to take turns in reading something aloud. Whether it is a children’s book, adventure story, teen magazine or sports publication, you are promoting family time, learning about your children’s interests, and encouraging reading as a fun activity.

-- Bring reading into the kitchen.  Find a recipe for your next family dinner and ask your child or teenager to help you read the recipe and prepare the meal. Children and young adults always love to help out in the kitchen and when it comes time to eat, he or she will be proud to say that he or she helped out.

-- Take a library field trip. Not only do libraries offer a ton of books for you and your children to choose from, they have a myriad of activities for children and teenagers that promote reading. Check out your local library’s monthly calendar of events, and also make regular trips there with them to choose weekly or monthly reading materials.

-- Ask for help. If you need assistance with encouraging your children to read, ask the librarian, your child’s teachers, or other education professionals for help. Tutoring centers such as the Huntington Learning Center can help children improve their reading skills.