Want proof that Abby Cox is all-in on getting kids and their families reading?:
On Friday, Utah’s first lady read the beloved children’s picture book “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” to a group of little ones — delivering every line in a “mouse voice.”
Cox, of course, is a “making story time fun” veteran. She’s a former teacher, a mother of four — and a new grandma. And she knows how to engage a room full of fidgety kids.
The first lady’s mouse-voiced storybook reading at Salt Lake City’s Sprague Library highlighted Friday’s launch of Utah Reads, a statewide early literacy initiative.
Cox was joined at the library by her husband, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and several local education and literacy leaders to champion what they agree is an essential charge: Getting Utah families reading together.
The governor also joined in Friday’s story time — reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” to the kids.
The library event was the latest in the Coxes’ ongoing efforts to boost early literacy across the Beehive State. Up next: the Oct. 2 Utah Read-A-Thon at schools, libraries and businesses.
“Fully half of our third graders are not reading on grade level — and that’s a community issue,” said Abby Cox on Friday. “Our teachers are working tirelessly, but it’s going to take all of us to turn this around.”
It’s vital, she added, that parents take primary ownership of early literacy in their homes by making family reading a daily habit.
“Kids need to be familiar with books in their homes so that they can go to school ready and loving reading. We have let screens replace our reading time, and that’s become a huge problem for all of us.”
Abby Cox recalled growing up in a Utah home filled with books. That’s not the case for many of today’s children.
Utah Reads, she said, can be part of the solution.
“It’s an incredible moment where all of us can come together to make this happen — to have a public-facing campaign that encourages parents to get engaged with their children and to make reading doable, simple and fun.”
Making family story time fundamental — and fun
During Friday’s Utah Reads launch, Gov. Cox moderated a discussion featuring State Superintendent of Public Instruction Molly Hart, The Children’s Center Utah President Rebecca Dutson, and Salt Lake City Public Library Executive Director Noah Baskett.
Literacy, the governor asserted, may be human history’s greatest societal advancement. But there’s growing evidence of an emerging post-literate society.
“We know we have kids without books in their homes,” said Cox. “But civilization cannot continue if we can’t read.”
The Constitution’s founders understood that the American experiment in self-government cannot succeed without an educated populace. “And we’re losing that battle,” Cox lamented. “We’re losing that battle to screens.”
Approximately 38,000 Utah students are “well below grade level” in reading. “We need to turn that around,” said Cox, while saluting the ongoing early literacy efforts of the first lady and Utah lawmakers.
The governor asked Hart why early literacy — from birth to age 8 — was so critical.
“Because reading,” she answered, “is fundamental — it’s both ‘fun’ and fundamental.”
Literacy, she added, begins when a little boy or girl begins mastering vocabulary by conversing with moms and dads. “Learning to read actually starts at birth — and it starts with learning to communicate and learning to speak.”
Dutson noted that whenever parents are reading to their young children, they are also strengthening connections and emotional well-beings.
Reading together, she said, doubles as an opportunity for adults and caregivers to model with their child. “When we’re reading books, we’re able to talk about emotions. That helps a child understand what mental well-being is all about.
“And we have opportunities to talk about relationships with our peers and with our family members, so we’re supporting social-emotional development.”
When asked what “meaningful reading” looks like for young children, Baskett said there’s no “right” or “wrong” book. Just follow the child’s lead and explore books about the things that interest them.
And don’t forget public libraries.
“We have librarians that are trained to help you find the right book for your child,” said Baskett. “And also show up for (library) story time for either toddlers, or a regular story time for younger children, where you can learn and be coached on how to nurture early literacy for you and your child.”
But what about fidgety kids who can’t sit still for a book?
“It’s good and developmentally appropriate to let a child move around,” Baskett said. “Give them something to do. Act out the scene together. Give them a blanket or a toy or a stuffed animal to play with.”
And then if nothing works, set the book down and wait a few minutes. Then try again.
Meanwhile, moms and dads can find creative ways to sneak “little tidbits” of reading throughout the day, added Dutson.
“We’ve got to be creative and realize that one solution won’t work for every family. So try things. Experiment and have fun with it.”
Kids typically become readers after they see their parents reading, observed Hart.
“I’d really like to see a resurgence of book clubs and normalizing of books and having books in the car and having books in the bathroom and having books everywhere,” said Hart.
“If we read as adults, the kids will follow.”
Navigating ‘family reading chaos’
The literacy initiative’s website — UtahReads.org — includes tips and ideas for families to make reading easy and fun.
“You don’t need more hours in the day, a perfectly still child, or a home library to start reading with your kids — you just need a few of the right ideas,” the website affirms.
“That’s what you’ll find here. Real solutions for real parents.”
UtahReads.org provides suggestions on finding family reading time and “reading through the wiggles” — along with an interactive map to find “Free Little Libraries” box exchanges across the state.
Also included are ideas to make family reading fun by, say, acting out stories, using everyday objects as props, and downloading free reading games and adventure cards.
Rudyko Anaya drove Friday from Eagle Mountain to Sugar House with her three daughters to participate in the Utah Reads launch.
Growing up, Anaya wasn’t exposed to classics such as “The Wind in the Willows” and “The Lord of the Rings,” so she now prioritizes such books in her own young family. She’s even created a group dubbed “The Enchanted Children’s Book Club” to champion reading with other young families.
Anaya echoed one of the Utah Reads’ key messages voiced often at Friday’s event: “Even if it’s chaotic, read to them.”
Just weather the chaos, she added, and then be consistent. “Continue to read — and your kids will see that as they get older.”