Husky Reads Brings the Pleasure of Studying and Healthy Life to Connecticut Preschoolers

Nearly 30 years in the past, a UConn undergraduate pupil created one of many longest-running neighborhood impression applications for UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport – Husky Reads. Stephanie Messercola ’97 (CAHNR) was an Honors Program pupil finishing a practicum expertise at Connecticut Children’s when she noticed a possibility to raised interact kids and households whereas they had been ready in reception areas. Messercola is now a pediatric doctor’s assistant, and due to a long time of growth and management Husky Reads has grow to be a nationally recognized program sharing the enjoyment of studying.

“We have had a long-standing partnership with UConn’s Husky Reads for more than 20 years,” says Stephanie Googe, assistant director of the Women’s League Child Development Center in Hartford. “We have staff members that went to preschool here and remember the Husky Reads program! The preschoolers get so excited to see the UConn students every week. They love the lessons and snack time, and they form a connection with the UConn students.”

In 1996, Messercola piloted a curriculum that facilitated studying, workouts, and video games, which developed to combine nutritious snacks and a service-learning facet for UConn college students underneath the management of professor emerita of drugs Ann Ferris. The program goals to embed a love for studying with younger college students; enhance MyPlate and meals group data; the flexibility to call fruit and veggies; the willingness to eat quite a lot of meals; and engagement with video games, play, and train.

“Starting Husky Reads was a way to bring together two things I’ve always been passionate about — reading and nutrition,” Messercola says. “Volunteering in Hartford, I saw firsthand how stories and healthy food could spark curiosity and joy in young children. It’s incredibly meaningful to know that what began as an Honors thesis project has grown into a program that’s inspired nearly 30 years of learning, service, and connection.”

It’s extremely significant to know that what started as an Honors thesis challenge has grown right into a program that’s impressed almost 30 years of studying, service, and connection. — Stephanie Messercola ’97 (CAHNR)

More than 800 preschoolers throughout Connecticut interact with Husky Reads every year, by greater than 400 program periods at 15 early childhood training facilities. Such sustained neighborhood partnerships are an indicator of UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport (UConn HNS) in addition to the University’s mission, values, and areas of focus in its current Strategic Plan.

“Husky Reads has such a rich history of community investment, working alongside children, families, and staff at places like the Women’s League and so many more organizations in Connecticut,” says UConn HNS employees member Sarah Larocque ’09 (CAHNR), ’12 MS, who presently serves because the lead coordinator of Husky Reads. “Our team and our UConn students really appreciate the many opportunities to build positive connections and grow together as we work with a level of consistency to establish healthy lifestyles through partnerships that sustain.”

Rachael Gabriel, a professor of literacy training on the UConn Neag School of Education and a collaborator with UConn HNS, shares that whereas literacy consultants might disagree about one of the best supplies, assessments, and approaches for educating studying, Husky Reads encapsulates the one factor all of them agree on.

“‘Building a love and joy of reading’ is a key priority for the development of independent, powerful, lifelong readers,” she says. “Husky Reads’ curriculum, combined with UConn students’ enthusiasm and presence, works to establish that exact foundation by integrating games, movement, food, and nutrition to uniquely engage young bodies and minds with reading.”

Key to Husky Reads’ success has been UConn HNS’ decadeslong funding in growing UConn college students as future leaders. Husky Reads affords a number of pathways for UConn pupil involvement, offering classroom studying, educating alternatives, and transformative community-based experiences inside early childhood training facilities.

“We host multiple two-credit course sections during the fall and spring semesters, with many enrolled students coming from nutritional sciences, dietetics, and pre-education majors, which just makes sense given the focus of Husky Reads,” says Patricia Bellamy-Mathis ’11 BUS, ’13 MSW, director of applications and partnerships for UConn HNS. “Following the close of a given semester, select students will stay involved as staff, interns, and some even continue as graduate assistants.”

Ripa Das ’25 (CAHNR) is one such pupil that first joined as a summertime employees member working with Husky Reads and different UConn HNS applications. She then enrolled in a Husky Reads course the following fall semester and remained as a paid pupil employees chief after that, working with lead employees and new college students enrolled within the Husky Reads programs. This coming tutorial 12 months she’s going to full a grasp’s diploma in well being promotion as a part of the Department of Allied Health Sciences’ FastTrack program.

‘Building a love and joy of reading’ is a key precedence for the event of unbiased, highly effective, lifelong readers. Husky Reads’ curriculum … works to determine that actual basis. — Rachael Gabriel, Neag School professor

“As a dietetics student and as someone passionate about healthy eating, it was immediately rewarding to be part of a program that encouraged children to try healthy foods while promoting nutrition and physical activity through a fun and engaging environment,” Das says. “Through my time with Husky Reads, I’ve been able to develop my leadership skills by mentoring new participants. Reflecting on my experience, I am proud to have contributed to a program that empowers youth with the knowledge to make healthier choices which lays the foundation for lifelong health.”

As a first-year Honors pupil, Natalie Maynard ’28 (ED) discovered about Husky Reads by her pre-teaching elementary training programs and tutorial advisors within the Neag School. She thought this system strongly matched her earlier experiences and was an necessary alternative to make the most of as a brand new UConn pupil.

“I’ve worked as a preschool educator in my hometown while in high school, so I had a level of confidence already,” she says. “Still, as a developing educator, I’m always excited about the chance to work with kids and learn from others in new settings. I was able to thrive with the support of the course instructor and the structure of the curriculum. Plus, it was a set day and time every week during the semester, with transportation being provided, so I was really able to balance Husky Reads within my schedule.”

This previous spring, Maynard was chosen for a SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship by the Office of Undergraduate Research and was positioned with UConn HNS. This has allowed her to proceed working intently with the staff’s college, employees, and UConn college students of all applications and ranges. This summer time, she has accomplished CITI analysis coaching; joined an IRB-approved analysis staff; reviewed analysis protocols and lately collected program knowledge; and examined tutorial literature, all whereas persevering with to establish sensible purposes that assist her purpose to grow to be a classroom educator.

Jahnyah Lumpkin ’27 (CLAS), a pre-med pupil, joined UConn HNS this summer time as a Health Disparities Clinical Summer Research Fellow, a program coordinated by UConn Health. Through a mixture of analysis obligations and time spent with Husky Reads, Lumpkin was capable of expertise public service targeted on diet and bodily exercise, in addition to particular person, household, and neighborhood empowerment.

“I really took a lot from the UConn HNS professional development sessions, which focused on seeing strengths and connecting across differences among teammates, with partners, and when working within communities,” she says. “Our team could really feel the immediate impacts this summer. Coming out of this experience, I possess the opportunity to transfer this learning to enhance my future career in medicine… thinking about the power dynamics involved, how to build trust, ways to invest in relationships, and really working collaboratively through communication and expertise-sharing with patients.”

These are just some of the numerous college students and campus companions that interact with UConn HNS and the Husky Reads growth pipeline yearly by programs, internships, and jobs.

I actually took loads from the UConn HNS skilled growth periods, which targeted on seeing strengths and connecting throughout variations amongst teammates, with companions, and when working inside communities. — Jahnyah Lumpkin ’27 (CLAS)

“Our team is dedicated to student development,” Bellamy-Mathis says. “We want to ensure their preparation as a growing professional, eventual UConn graduate, and proud alum. We have a strong track record of supporting cool and talented students that eventually become leaders within their professions and communities, and we see Husky Reads as an integral and growing part of that effort.”

As UConn HNS continues Messercola’s legacy and additional expands Husky Reads, the staff is exploring rising the credit score hours for the UConn programs, including extra class time, peer-to-peer discussions, visitor audio system, and reflection assignments. Beyond campus, the staff is searching for to additional contain the households of the preschoolers taking part in Husky Reads, encouraging wholesome meals choices, providing extra household cooking lessons, and rising engagement with actions targeted on literacy and energetic existence.

UConn HNS, as at all times, can be working to collaborate with new companion websites. This previous 12 months, the staff expanded its long-term partnership with Hartford Public Schools by providing Husky Reads at Fred D. Wish Museum School for the primary time. This pilot of the 10-week Husky Reads curriculum within the faculty’s pre-kindergarten lecture rooms included new books, video games, and snacks, with plans to proceed the partnership within the upcoming faculty 12 months.

“It is a joy to connect preschool-aged children with college students, where both parties are having fun and learning together,” Larocque says. “As a registered dietitian, it’s incredible to see so many kids try healthy snacks each week. As a UConn instructor, I love to watch the college students grow more confident teaching the lessons and interacting with the preschoolers and their teachers. Coordinating everything involved certainly requires a lot of time, energy, and resources to make this all work, yet Husky Reads continues to be a win-win for the many people involved.”