Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
 "The first three years of school, children learn to read," said Marilyn Jones. FORT WORTH, TX (Catholic Online) - Katawna, and about 1,500 other children, went to the Fort Worth Zoo on Sunday for the "Wild about Reading" event. The event, organized by the zoo, United Way of Tarrant County, and Educational First Steps, promoted the importance of reading and literacy in general. Activities included making books and book-markers, scavenger hunts, listened to Mayor Betsy Price give story-time, and signed up for cards at libraries. Low-income children, the majority having never been to the zoo, were targeted for the event. Reading is crucial for developing skills that are used later in life. "The first three years of school, children learn to read," said Marilyn Jones, United Way vice president, who organized the event. "After that, they read to learn, so it's very important that they do not get left behind." Eltawn Davis, Katawna's father, inspired his daughter to develop a love for reading by reading to her every day. "The better you are at reading, the better your chance of being successful," Davis said. "I tried exposing them to new words and ideas and objects right away. We would read all day long if we could." "She has always loved to read," said Katawna's mother, Lisa Escalante. "She uses her imagination and goes anywhere she wants." © 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM. - - - Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013 General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him. Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance. |
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