With Support From American Idol Gives Back, Save the Children is Giving Very Young Children a Better Chance to Succeed in the U.S.

With Support From American Idol Gives Back, Save the Children is Giving Very Young Children a Better Chance to Succeed in the U.S.

Question: How can we save taxpayers' money, reduce crime and improve the lives of America's poorest children?

One answer: Start children reading as early as possible, says Save the Children

WESTPORT, Conn., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the humanitarian aid agency Save the Children, there is growing evidence that helping children build language and reading skills at a very early age will increase a child's chances of succeeding in school and leading a productive life while also helping combat crime and lowering the nation's growing prison population.

"The evidence is compelling," said Mark Shriver, Vice President and Managing Director of Save the Children's U.S. programs. "Recent studies suggest that children who develop strong reading skills are less likely to get in trouble, go to jail or be a drain on society."

With support from donations made to American Idol Gives Back last year, Save the Children has begun setting up early childhood development services in poor, rural communities throughout the United States including Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arizona.

"This is a cost-effective way to help children improve their reading skills at a very early age," said Shriver. "Our program begins with expectant parents and continues with children into their early school years. One of the most exciting parts of the program is that literacy specialists are visiting parents and their small children in their homes on a regular basis to help make sure reading is part of the children's daily routine."

Called Early Steps to School Success, the program is designed to assist children with language, social and emotional development and to equip parents with the skills and knowledge to successfully support their child's growth. The program also seeks to develop strong home-school connections.

"Through Early Steps to School Success, Save the Children is building strong foundations for parenting and school readiness and serving as a powerful catalyst in helping children achieve a lifetime of learning," Shriver said.

To learn more about Save the Children, go to www.savethechildren.org.

To learn more about American Idol Gives Back, go to

www.americanidol.com/idolgivesback.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Save the Children

CONTACT: Mike Kiernan, +1-202-640-6630, or Wendy Christian,
+1-202-221-3767, both of Save the Children

Web Site:

http://www.savethechildren.org/

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