Green area kids get special reading lesson

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- One local politician spent the morning trying to inspire young kids to read.

Students at the Green Head Start sat this morning with rapt attention.

The kids, all 5-years-old and under, listened as State Senator Jeff Kruse read them Dr. Seuss's "Hop On Pop."

Senator Kruse was reading as part of a week-long celebration of early childhood education by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. "The greatest gift I have ever received in my entire life is the ability to read," Kruse said. "Reading opens up the entire world to a person, and so, the fact that we're focusing on reading I think is of critical importance."

Officials with Head Start hope that having people from around the community read to the kids will inspire the parents to do the same.

"It shows parents that it's important that we read to children," said Maureen Short. "That's one of the best activities that we can do to get children ready for school."

Senator Kruse was one of several adults around the county who donated their time to children at the Head Start program this week.