By Nikki Denton
When
most people celebrate their birthdays, they expect gifts to be given to them. But for a retired local educator, it’s better to give than to receive.
As
a retired Pittsburgh Public Schools reading specialist, Theodora Cotten, Ed.D.,
knows the importance of literacy and starting early. As a way to celebrate
her 80th birthday today, Dr. Cotten, decided to donate books to every baby born today at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. This helps start these new
lives on their journeys to become successful readers.
“I
know an adult reading to a baby and a young child promotes the desire to read
in the child long before he or she enters a formal classroom,” Dr. Cotten says.
Each
baby born Dec. 18 at Magee received a book and a letter to their mothers
explaining that they have been given the gift of literacy, a gift that lasts a
lifetime. “It’s the gift that opens many possibilities for successful living,” Dr. Cotten says.
Jenna
Powell, and her son, Garrett, received one of Dr. Cotten's gifts. Ms. Powell
says the book was a sweet gesture. She believes in the power of reading and
literacy. At her baby shower, she had asked that all guests bring a book.
Dr.
Cotten’s letter adds that parents can give their baby a great start by simply
reading a picture book to him or her for five to 20 minutes daily, beginning
from their birth. “One day, the child will read a story to you,” the letter
continues. “Your child had been born on my birthday. So I wish your new baby a
happy birthday and many happy reading days in the future.”
