Reading to children is one of the most fun and practical ways to prepare children for kindergarten. It builds vocabulary, and helps children listen for sounds and connect them with letters. In fact, children who are engaged in verbal interaction by parents, early learning professionals or other caregivers before the age of two have four times the vocabulary of other children their age.

Realizing the DREAM, part of the U.S. Department of Education's Early Reading First initiative, is a comprehensive, three-year program focused on improving early language and literacy among young children in Atlanta. Smart Start recently received a $4.2 million grant to implement Realizing the DREAM, along with its partner Quality Assist, in five metropolitan Atlanta early learning centers. Through the grant, 328 children will benefit as the program enhances teachers’ knowledge of literacy materials and techniques and improves preschoolers' reading skills and classroom environment. This year marks the first time the grant was awarded in Georgia.

Participating early education centers:
- Atlanta Public Schools: Gideons Elementary Pre-K
- Atlanta Job Corps Child Development Center
- Easter Seals Child Development Center
- Minnie Howell Child Development Center (Premier Academy)
- YMCA Head Start: Chattahoochee Academy

But reading shouldn't just take place in the classroom. Parents should read to their children at home to help them master language skills, stimulate their imaginations and build confidence and self-esteem. Below are tips for parents on how to make the most of reading aloud to their children:

- Read to a child from the moment he/she is born
- Choose a book with your child
- Hold the book while reading and show the illustrations
- Discuss parts of the story and ask your child to guess what will come next
- Discuss the "Big Idea" of the story
- Have fun! Read things that the whole family can enjoy
- Provide a quite, welcoming atmosphere
- Choose books that expand your child's horizons
- Use expressive voices and make up sound effects for different characters and actions
- Don't read too fast
- Make sure to answer questions that your child might ask about the story

?When it comes to the education of our children failure is not an option.? President George. W. Bush