Welcome to the CUPS Reading Place!
A CUPS and Calgary Reads partnership that builds brains, one book at a time
Encouraging positive early experiences with books and language lays the foundation for success in learning to read. In late 2018, CUPS and Calgary Reads partnered to create the Reading Place at our Family Development Centre (FDC) — a cozy reading area where clients and their young children can explore their imaginations, learn to read and develop a love for books.
Importance of early reading
Reading is a fundamental skill that has a profound impact on our lives. Reading opens the door to new worlds, new perspectives and new spaces to grow. It is also a vital part of overall development: it triggers brain development, enhances cognitive skills and builds self-confidence.
CUPS and Calgary Reads believe every child deserves to experience the benefits reading brings, and the Reading Place is the perfect venue to nurture this journey.
The Reading Place
Adorned with elements of nature decorating the space, the FDC Reading Place contains:
Shelves lined with books to read in-house and to take home after their visit.
A number of cozy “book nooks” and movable reading cubbies.
A family living room, complete with comfortable, soft lighting, a large couch, kids-sized tables and chairs, and even a hand-painted snakes and ladders game to play on the main table.
Literature for parents on healthy brain development, the importance of reading and nurturing interactions.
Through this incredible partnership, Calgary Reads supplies a pipeline of free books to CUPS and to assist families in building their children’s personal libraries.
Not only are clients encouraged to use the space, the CUPS Child Development Centre students also use it. They partake in field trips to the Reading Place when volunteers from Calgary Reads host WeeRead days — when a volunteer visits to share their love of books by reading aloud, playing vocabulary games and talking about stories that inspired them when they were children.
Early literacy skills are the roots of reading success — and it is never too early to plant the seed! Here are a few easy tips to help ignite a passion for reading with your children:
Read together every day. Your child will learn that reading and spending time together is important.
Make reading time a warm and happy experience. If your child loses interest, put the book away for another time.
Point to objects in the book’s illustrations and encourage your child to describe what they see.
Tell your child the names and sounds of letters and words you see everywhere: books, food packages, traffic signs, store signs.
Show your child how useful print is in daily life: making a grocery list, reading a recipe, following an instruction manual or finding directions on a map.
Learn more about the amazing initiatives taking place at Calgary Reads and learn more about the CUPS Family Development Centre.
Interested in getting involved at CUPS? Click here.