In the dynamic landscape of childhood development, a seemingly simple and joyful activity holds a profound and often underestimated power: play. Far from being a frivolous pastime, play is the fertile ground where children's cognitive, social, and emotional skills blossom. Among these crucial developmental milestones, the foundation for literacy—the ability to read and write—is perhaps one of the most critical.

Read Where the Wild Things Are by Maruice Sendak. then set your wild imagination free by building creatures with easy-to-make clay using four simple ingredients: baking soda, cornstarch, water, and food coloring. If you really want to get fancy, gather some googly eyes, feathers, craft sticks and pom poms!

A child's world is fundamentally shaped by two environments: the home and the school. While they may seem like separate entities, the most successful children are those for whom these two worlds are not isolated islands but are connected by a strong, well-maintained bridge. This bridge—the partnership between caregivers and educators—is the single most powerful factor in a child’s academic achievement, emotional well-being, and overall development.

This video—produced by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)—captures the energy and impact of our first-ever family literacy and educator engagement event, held across Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Greenon. At the time, Learning Lighthouse had not yet received 501(c)(3) status, so the event was hosted under the Ohio Federation of Teachers.

Reading is one of life's most enduring pleasures, a passport to other worlds, and a window into the human experience. Yet, for many, the act of reading can feel like a solitary, static exercise: a person, a book, and a quiet room. The words on the page are absorbed, the story unfolds, and then the book is closed and placed back on the shelf. But what if reading could be more? What if we could move beyond the book and transform it from a passive activity into a dynamic, meaningful, and deeply personal experience?