Senate Joint Resolution 25-007
Page 1, Line 101Concerning proclaiming February 14 as "Colorado Read to
Page 1, Line 102Your Child Day".
Page 1, Line 1WHEREAS, The most important activity for setting the foundation for future literacy success is reading aloud to children; and
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Page 1, Line 3WHEREAS, Strong literacy skills are essential for the
Page 1, Line 4development and growth of a community and our nation, and the ability
Page 1, Line 5to read by third grade is critical to a child's ability to learn in the future; and
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Page 1, Line 7WHEREAS, Children who struggle with literacy are more likely
Page 1, Line 8to eventually drop out of school without earning their high school
Page 1, Line 9diploma, have poor health, and struggle to acquire a living wage as an adult; and
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Page 1, Line 11WHEREAS, A child's early years play a pivotal role in literacy, as
Page 2, Line 190% of a child's brain has developed by age five, and skills learned between birth and age five predict literacy in later years; and
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Page 2, Line 3WHEREAS, Children who struggle with literacy in kindergarten through third grade are unlikely to catch up to their peers; and
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Page 2, Line 5WHEREAS, When children are read to aloud from birth, they are
Page 2, Line 6exposed to significantly more words in their early years, improving their
Page 2, Line 7vocabulary, comprehension and literacy skills, and increasing overall brain development; and
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Page 2, Line 9WHEREAS, Children who experience this early exposure to books
Page 2, Line 10and have access to home libraries develop stronger language skills by the
Page 2, Line 11time they start school and are more likely to develop a lasting interest in reading and learning; and
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Page 2, Line 13WHEREAS, When caregivers or loved ones read to children
Page 2, Line 14regularly, they build nurturing bonds that are vital for the child's cognitive
Page 2, Line 15and social-emotional health. Reading together provides positive attention
Page 2, Line 16from caring adults and creates a sense of security, while reducing stress and the negative impacts of adverse childhood experiences; and
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Page 2, Line 18WHEREAS, More than 30 years of research demonstrates that
Page 2, Line 19reading aloud to a child accelerates development and boosts overall
Page 2, Line 20kindergarten readiness. Evidence also indicates that when children enter
Page 2, Line 21school with the developmental skills and foundation to succeed, the results of this early intervention last a lifetime; now, therefore,
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Page 2, Line 23Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
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Page 2, Line 25That we, the members of the General Assembly, declare the state's
Page 2, Line 26commitment to birth-to-age-five early literacy by acknowledging
Page 2, Line 27February 14, 2025, as "Colorado Read to Your Child Day" in alignment with "National Read to Your Child Day".
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Page 2, Line 29Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent
Page 2, Line 30to the Reach Out and Read Colorado and Imagination Library of Colorado organizations.