Half Of Texoma Kids Unprepared For School - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

Texoma Children's Literacy Awareness Week kicked off at Sikes Senter Mall with The Llama Llama Red Pajama Party.

"We know that in our community and across the nation, a lot of children are entering school not ready to learn," said President and CEO of the North Texas Area United Way Diana Phillips. "So when they go to kindergarten, they are not really prepared to be successful, and if they don't catch up by third grade, many of them won't catch up ever."

According to the United Way's Early Development Instrument Data, about half of Texoma children are not ready for kindergarten. "Research shows this, that reading to a child is absolutely the most important thing you can do to prepare them for school," said Phillips.

At the Pajama Party, each child received their own copy of "Llama Llama Red Pajama", a widely popular children's book, to take home. The United Way stresses reading to or with children, especially ages 0-5.

"We love reading to our child, we think that is the most important thing, is reading to your child," said mom Cindy Schields about her daughter Brooklyn. "We started reading to her when she was about six months old."

Kids came decked out in their own pajamas, ate milk and chocolate chip cookies, and even got to meet real life llamas!

More Pajama Parties will be held throughout Texoma Feb. 11-14th. Click here for the list of locations.

Christina Myers
cmyers@kauz.com