(above) Girl Scout Gabrielle M. earned her Gold Award through her creation of the “Pajama Read to Me” program.
Girl Scout Addresses Child Literacy Issue
Creates “Pajama Read to Me” Literacy Program
It’s recommended that children read for 20 minutes each day to help develop their vocabulary and increase comprehension skills.
Unfortunately, for some students, resources aren’t available to read outside of school.
When 18-year-old Gold Award Girl Scout Gabrielle M. discovered that many in her own community of North Plainfield don’t have the opportunities to read, she decided to create the “Pajama Read to Me” program.
Through this program, a Take Action Project created to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, Gabrielle contributed to lowering childhood illiteracy rates by encouraging young children’s interest in and access to books. She created well-researched curricula that included a featured story and related crafts that together helped children become more competent, confident readers in both English and Spanish. She hosted 18 sessions of “Pajama Read to Me” at the Plainfield Public Library, the Bergen County Library, and HomeFirst, a shelter in Plainfield. She adapted her curriculum to meet the individual needs of the students in each session, sometimes hosting large groups, sometimes working one-on-one. Each session’s theme was uniquely created, and also included dispersal of pajamas and reading materials that she received when soliciting donations to support her project.
“I created this program to put the issue of child literacy on the front burner in my community,” she said. “It helps to promote confidence and passion in children’s reading and learning through a fun and engaging program.”
The Gold Award is the pinnacle of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and the most prestigious award a Girl Scout can earn.
Gabrielle’s passion for books, reading, and learning in general ignited her project that helped to provide young students with the education and learning opportunities that she was afforded as a child.
“I wanted to target the children of my community who lacked the resources or the stimulating environment,” Gabrielle added. “They need an equal opportunity for success.”
To continue her efforts, Gabrielle has created instructions for other libraries and shelters to implement her program. As a result of her work, HomeFirst created a library/reading center at their site, and the North Plainfield Library will renew the program each year.
Gabrielle has been a part of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) Troop 65380 for the past 13 years. She said Girl Scouts is a wonderful service opportunity that allows her to partner with the young women in her community to spark positive change.
She is a graduating senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung.
“Gabrielle’s pursuit of the Gold Award creates the opportunity for children in her community to have access and exposure to a positive reading environment for years to come,” said GSHNJ CEO Natasha Hemmings. “Our Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable. We are so proud of Gabrielle.”
Photos by Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
(above) During the “Pajama Read to Me” program, Gabrielle reads to children and does a craft associated with the story
