From February 19-March 28, Minnetonka Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) hosted “Read the Rainbow,” a six-week event aimed at promoting literacy and excitement about reading. 

The event originated as a Book Drive, in which staff and students dressed up according to a specific color. It has since evolved into six weeks of educational fun for children ages birth to five, where preschool teachers and parent educators offer tips for families seeking to integrate early literacy into everyday activities.

“We are celebrating a love of reading. In preschool, we are building early literacy, which focuses on the foundational skills children need for when they are developmentally ready to learn to read,” shared Molly Bahneman, Minnetonka Preschool & ECFE Coordinator.

Each week of “Read the Rainbow” has been themed after a different color. Classes center around the color of the week, and students read books related to the color as well. Teachers have also chosen a book after a specific color which students are able to take home and keep. Some titles include The Day the Crayons Quit, Nothing Rhymes with Orange and The World Needs More Purple People. 

Supporting the event and its mission, Parent Educators helped organize for the Hennepin County Library to visit the Minnetonka Community Education (MCE) building in February. The library helped kids and their families sign up for library cards, opening up more opportunities for students to find joy in reading both in and out of the classroom.

A rainbow was placed as decoration in the Preschool lobby for the event. Bahneman has seen it light up kids’ faces every time they walk in. 

“It is a great conversation starter,” she said, and continued on to describe how the event has helped the students learn and grow in many ways. “The kids are also proud to bring home the book they received and read it with their families. Each book given was also read in the class with the teacher.” The event has introduced young students to the joys and rewards books can bring.