Johnston, SC – Johnston Elementary School (JES) Librarian Dana Kaltz knows the importance of reading aloud for students who are still building their vocabularies. Kaltz and the JES family recently welcomed community readers on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, for World Read Aloud Day.

However, reading aloud to children is also important for other reasons, such as strengthening interpersonal connections.

“Reading aloud is absolutely essential for literary growth with young children,” stated Kaltz. “It’s important for them to share that experience with an adult. They need to talk about the books being read as they develop their vocabulary and discuss stories, characters, themes and messages.”

“It’s just an amazing interaction that creates bonds and builds a love of literature that all adults and children enjoy,” she added.

Community readers for World Read Aloud Day at JES included Beverly McGee, Melinda Taylor, Stephanie Whatley, John Perry, Steve McKinney, Jill Jolly, Cameron Bouknight, Pam Miller, Gaye Holmes, Bridget Clark, Pamela Andrews, Cindy Herlong, Becky Williams, Janet Johnson, Jerrilyn Harmon, David Fallaw, Yvonne Nicholson, Dixie Gibson, Stephanie Whatley, Jessica Priest and more.

We appreciate all the community readers who shared their time and love of literature with our JES Bears on World Read Aloud Day.