Traveling with children and seeing the world through their eyes is a special trip. One way to take children on this journey, at no cost, is by reading to them. Their imaginations will soar and they will be building memories to last a lifetime – memories of someone who took the time to take them to special places.

The Born to Read program, operated by RSVP of the University of Maine Center on Aging, uses volunteers to read to children at preschools and day care centers.

The goal of the program is to encourage children to read and develop a love for books. Research shows that children who are read to at an early age have higher IQs, perform better in school and are more successful in life, said Paula Burnett, executive director of RSVP.

“Created in 1997, Born to Read is Maine’s statewide early literacy program that ensures that Maine’s youngest children are read aloud to daily, and that they in turn will begin school already excited about books and ready to learn,” she said.

The program provides training, books and support to child care providers, volunteers and parents throughout Maine.

“Through the network of volunteer readers, Born to Read has brought an ongoing read-aloud experience to more than 16,000 Maine children,” said Burnett. “And Born to Read’s training sessions provide information on best practices in the fostering of early literacy and related early childhood development research. Tips are offered as are techniques for making each reading experience with children stimulating and memorable for both parties.”

Seniors and children seem to have a special bond, kind of a built-in granny connection.

“Some of the places that have volunteer readers actually prefer older people,” said Burnett. “They are seeking a type of grandparent image while promoting intergenerational bonding.”

The arrangement works out nicely for the seniors, as well. Some 50 percent of the Born to Read volunteers are retired teachers. This project fills a need for those who miss working with children.

“Born to Read is especially gratifying to those volunteers who don’t have grandchildren,” said Burnett. “The children come running when they see the volunteers. It’s great for the volunteers to see what a difference they are making in a child’s life.

“And this is such a great program because when the world of reading is opened up to children, it enhances their own reading development and social skills,” she said. “They get to see so much of the world through books that they wouldn’t see in their own backyards. And they can really bond with the person who is bringing this new world to them.”

Everyone involved benefits from the program, said Burnett.

“I’m very proud of RSVP and this part of my job because it is a win-win situation for the children, the volunteers and the day care providers and teachers,” she added. “When children read or are read to, they have all-around improved skills. These programs work.”

RSVP is open to anyone age 55 and older. Members receive mileage reimbursement to and from their assignment, as well as supplemental accident and liability insurance. A background check is required for those working with children.

If sitting with a child or group of children and mesmerizing them with the written and spoken word sounds like a good way to pass the time, Born to Read is the program for you.

For information on RSVP and Born to Read, please contact Paula Burnett at 262-7926.

Carol Higgins Taylor is director of communications at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. E-mail Higgins Taylor at chtaylor@eaaa.org. For information on EAAA, call 941-2865, toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on to EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.