Partnership Recognizes Retiring Board Members and Key Players in the Community

At recent Board Meetings, the Board of Directors of the Partnership for Children of Lincoln and
Gaston Counties (Partnership) recognized retiring Board members Tammy Kane, Joe Dixon and Bill Gross.  Chair Sarah Miller and Vice Chair Wanda Wyont presented each with a plaque noting the Partnership’s sincere appreciation for their years of leadership and service as a member of the Board.

Left to Right, Michael Linker, Sarah Miller, Tammy Kane and Rosalind Richardson

Left to Right, Michael Linker and Joe Dixon 

Left to Right, Michael Linker and William Gross 

Barbara Voorhees (former Executive Director) and Laura Lineberger (current Executive Director) of the Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation were also recognized and thanked for the Foundation’s generous $10,000 grant in support of the Partnership’s early literacy Reach Out and Read®  Program (ROR).  ROR is a nationally recognized program with evidence-based research for promoting pre-literacy and language development skills in young children.  The Partnership collaborates with physicians serving young children in Gaston County who incorporate ROR into their standard practice of care by reading to and providing an age-appropriate free book for children as part of their “well child” visit.

Left to Right, Laura Lineberger and Barbara Voorhees

Additional special guests recognized included Nocona Brittain, Economic Support Services Supervisor-Child Care with the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services, and Michelle Miller, Child Day Care Subsidy Program Supervisor with the Lincoln County Department of Social Services.  Ms. Brittain and Ms. Miller were recognized for their leadership in assisting the Partnership in meeting a key cash/in-kind funding match required by the State’s Legislature.  Mr. Ernest Sumner, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Gaston County was also recognized at the office of the Partnership for Children for their generous contribution and continued support.

Left to Right, Michelle Miller, Nocona Brittian, and Wanda Whetstine

Left to right, Michael Linker, Ernest Sumner and Rosalind Richardson

Click here for more information about the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties.

Summer Books for Preschoolers

By: Chrissie McGovern, Gaston County Public Library - Dallas Branch; Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). www.gastonlibrary.org

Summer is a great time to share books with young children. Here are some great summer reads for preschoolers that you can find at the Gaston County Public Library!

At the Beach by Anne Rockwell
A young girl enjoys a day at the beach building a sandcastle, collecting sea shells, and more!

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
A watermelon-loving crocodile accidentally swallows a watermelon seed. Will he grow a watermelon in his tummy?

I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
A giant squid encounters other ocean animals and claims he is the biggest thing in the ocean…..until he meets a whale!

Camping Day by Patricia Lakin
Sam, Pam, Will and Jill are a bunch of crocodile friends who encounter getting lost, a bees’ nest, and bad weather while on their camping trip. Will they have fun after all?

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon
Penguin is getting tired of all of the snow where he lives and decides to go on a tropical vacation. He meets a new friend on his trip.

Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
A little girl finds different ways to entertain herself on a hot summer day. She has a picnic, chases a butterfly and enjoys sipping cool lemonade.

Ten Flashing Fireflies by Philemon Sturges
Two children catch fireflies on a summer night, putting them one by one into a jar until all ten are caught, and then they let them out to watch all ten fly away.

Mama, is it Summer Yet? By Nikki McClure

A little boy asks his mother, “Mama, is it summer yet?” She encourages him to enjoy the beaty of spring while recognizing the signs that the seasons are changing.

Higher, Higher by Leslie Patricelli

A little girl pleads with her father to push to new heights on the swing while at the park one day. Children will identify with the everyday pastime of swing higher.

Turtle Splash: Countdown at the Pond by Cathryn Falwell

Ten turtles splash into the pond one by one. This is a colorful countdown that every child can be a part of!

Special thanks to Chrissie McGovern with the Gaston County Public Library - Dallas Branch for sharing this list of summer books with us.  Check out these books and more at the Gaston County Public Library or visit them online at www.gastonlibrary.org.

The Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties is a nonprofit organization that provides services, advocates and collaborates with others to insure the well-being of children, ages birth to five, so they can reach their health, developmental, and educational potential. Learn more about the Partnership at www.pfclg.org.

The Power of Reading Aloud

Earlier this month, our Public Information Coordinator Tabitha Whetstine transformed into Super Girl and set out on a mission to read aloud to the children at several child care centers in our community!  

Tabitha read “Mother Bruce” by Ryan T. Higgins, “Clifford the Firehouse Dog” by Norman Bridwell and “Doc McStuffins Doctor’s Helper” by Sheila Sweeny Higginson.

By reading aloud to the young children at the child care centers, Tabitha exposed them to more words, sparked their curiosity, and gave them more reasons to love books!  In fact, reading aloud to young children promotes language development and early literacy skills, such as word sound awareness, understanding how stories work, recognition of sounds and letters, knowledge of a wide range of vocabulary and the ability to listen. 

All of these skills are essential as children start school and learn to read. 

Click here to learn about the benefits of reading aloud and to download free reading resources for parents and educators. 

9 Children's Books to Read Aloud This Spring

Did you know that children who are introduced to reading early on tend to read earlier and excel in school compared to children who are not exposed to language and books at a young age?  Since it's never too late to make reading aloud a daily routine with your child, we've compiled a list of our favorite spring-themed children's books that your children are sure to love!

I See Spring by Charles Ghigna (Ages 2-5)

Rooting for You by Susan Hood (Ages 2-5)

Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer by Susan Hood (Ages 2-6)

Hurray for Spring by Patricia Hubbell (Ages 3-5) 

Olaf Welcomes Spring by Brittany Rubiano (Ages 3-5) 

Fran’s Flower by Lisa Bruce (Ages 3-7) 

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano (Ages 4-7) 

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes (Ages 4-8) 

Come Along Daisy! by Jane Simmons (Ages 5-8) 

Click here to learn more about the benefits of reading aloud.