With closures due to COVID-19, children face even greater obstacles to accessing early learning opportunities. A recent study by Parents Together found that 4 out of 10 of the most economically-disadvantaged students are accessing remote learning as little as once a week or less. As closures continue, children and families need books and engaging ways to learn at home. Support from Rotary Club means that Make Way for Books is able to adapt and work creatively to ensure young children have early literacy and learning opportunities.
Since early March, Make Way for Books has been providing bilingual, online Story School programming to more than 600 participants throughout southern Arizona and beyond. Thousands of families are currently using the free, bilingual Make Way for Books App to access quality, age-appropriate books on their phones or tablets. The app provides in-book tips to support families in 
sharing books effectively as well as standards-based early literacy activities families can do to build their children’s early literacy skills using what they have at home. Make Way for Books is also delivering high-quality books and literacy resources to children and families throughout southern Arizona for continued learning at home. A parent recently shared, “Thank you so much for bringing us books. We have no words to express how grateful we are. Make Way for Books has completely changed our family. Especially me... I always knew the importance of reading but making it a habit or part of our family routine was hard for me. But now I have learned we can do it whenever, wherever. Most importantly I have learned to make it fun and educational.”
Make Way for Books continues to innovate and to transition programming to flexible, digital learning models. This summer Make Way for Books is currently offering its Make Way for Kindergarten program online. Through the program, 5-year old children and families participate in two-generation literacy and language programming where they both learn together. Make Way for Books is providing backpacks filled with books as well as school and literacy resources to all families participating in this program so that the kids are ready for kindergarten in September!
According to Jenny Volpe, CEO of Make Way for Books, “Thanks to Rotary, Make Way for Books is able to continue our work to ensure young children have the quality books and early literacy and learning experiences they need to become thriving readers and learners.”
