Join players from the Madison Mallards baseball team on July 27 for reading, activities, and a morning of fun learning!
On July 27, United Way of Dane County, Oscar Mayer/Kraft Foods, and East Towne Mall will join together to share the importance of early childhood education and literacy with “Ready to Read with the Mallards”. From 9:30 am to 10:30 am, players from the Madison Mallards baseball team will be at the East Towne Play and Learn site, located outside of JCPenney, to show community members that reading is fun and important in the early development of a child.
What: Ready to Read with the Madison Mallards
When: Friday, July 27th 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Where: Play and Learn Site inside East Towne Mall outside JCPenney
Cost: FREE and open to the public
“Ready to Read with the Mallards” is the first of a series of reading/literacy reading events that will be taking place leading up to United Way’s Days of Caring, a three day event where thousands of volunteers in our community give back through volunteer projects. Community members are encouraged to bring items to donate for Early Learning Kits, which will be given out during Days of Caring to help prepare children for school. Members are encouraged to bring and donate: books (Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See or The Very Hungry Caterpillar), children’s scissors, glue sticks, bubbles, and washable markers. A donations bin will be located at the Play and Learn site.
The East Towne Play and Learn originally opened in January of 2011 and since then has been providing free programming on a monthly basis to packed classes. “We currently have families on a waiting list to attend Play and Learn sessions, “ says Lynn Riley, from Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, who coordinates the Play and Learn at East Towne Mall. “Another $7,000 a year would allow us to offer additional classes at this site which would help so many more families in Madison and help to guarantee long-term success in their academic life.” A donation box will be available at the Play and Learn site for community members to make contributions for this effort.
ABOUT EAST TOWNE PLAY AND LEARN
The Play and Learn space was custom-designed by East Towne Mall and United Way of Dane County with founding support provided by the Oscar Mayer brand.
Every month, a Play and Learn coordinator hosts a scheduled Play and Learn session at the East Towne Mall location before regular mall hours. The coordinator from Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin will guide children and parents through educational play and games designed to help the children learn the skills they need to begin kindergarten. Developmental screenings are also offered onsite to further help parents and children identify potential development delays.
