CheeREADERS

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

“The sport of cheerleading involves tumbling, cheering, and smiles. Reading to children is no usually what comes to mind when thinking about cheerleaders, however…” says a student reporter for the school paper, The Precedent, as she goes on to praise the Maricopa County Library District’s CheeREADERS program. The program is both a free and fun way to help young, emerging readers (Kindergarten– 3rd Grade) become more confident and more proficient with their reading skills. High-school cheerleaders and athletes volunteer to coach the elementary school students in the Library, where they are paired with the children for one-on-one reading time or to play literacy games with them. There is a direct link between reading and academic achievement. The Library District wants kids to get excited about reading by including positive role models – teen athletes – in this reading discovery process. It is exciting for the elementary students to have an older all-star cheerleader or athlete spend one-on-one time with them.