Children's Play Stresses Importance Of Reading

SAN DIEGO -- Reading is a lifelong habit that parents should encourage when their children are young. But not everyone is getting the message.

Organizers of one Project QKids program took to the stage at Mendoza Elementary School in an effort to get parents' attention, 10News reported.

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Project QKids: Children's Play Stresses Importance Of Reading

The play, "When Books Come Alive," told the story of lonely books who spend their days waiting on the shelf to be read. The children living in the house are too busy playing computer games and watching television to read. But when the power goes out, the books see their chance to capture the children's attention.

The play is targeted toward children who are under the age of 5. But it also delivers a serious message to the adults -- that reading makes an impact on young brains.

"The cells make connections," one colorful, dancing book with a Cat in the Hat jacket said. "And when a person does the same thing over and over again, those connections become permanent."

Playwright Reina Menasche said she wrote "When Books Come Alive" hoping to find a better way to reach parents.

"As a parent of a 4-year-old, you know I get tired of worksheets." Menasche said. "My idea was to try to teach the information in a way that would be entertaining and fun."

Menasche is an educational social worker with the South Bay Union School District. With a grant from the First 5 Commission of San Diego, Menasche develops education programs and parenting workshops for "The Family H.E.L.P. Project." H.E.L.P. stands for Healthy Early Life Promotion, something the First 5 Commission is trying to foster throughout San Diego.

According to Menasche, reading is key to promoting healthy growth in children ages 0 to 5. "It stimulates a love of language. They start to feel the book to get the idea that there's a story in here. And then as they grow older, it becomes a part of their life."

The message has already come through for some parents, like Johnny Salas. He and his wife have read to Johnny Jr. every night since before he was born.

Salas said he knows other children do not get the same attention. "I don't see too many parents really reading to their kids," Salas said. "I've noticed that kids are more interested in playing and their toys and acting out. And I think reading is really important; it will open their minds to different things."

And that's a message we can all applaud.