Governor and First Lady Haslam Host 4th Annual Easter Egg Roll

Local Nashville daycare and Head Start students visit the Tennessee Residence for annual Easter event
                              
NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today hosted their 4th Annual Easter Egg Roll at the Tennessee Residence. Approximately 115 children from local daycare and Head Start centers attended the event to enjoy a variety of activities on the Tennessee Residence lawn.

In addition to Easter egg rolling, children participated in relay games, crafts, face painting, and a reading corner in support of First Lady Haslam’s early literacy initiative. Special guest readers included Governor and First Lady Haslam, Commissioner John Dreyzehner, Commissioner Julius Johnson, Smokey Bear, and Gnash the Nashville Predators team mascot.“This event is a wonderful tradition to share the Tennessee Residence with children, while also enjoying the Easter holiday,” Mrs. Haslam said. “In addition to many other activities, Bill and I had the opportunity to enjoy books with children and promote the value of daily reading.”

As First Lady, Mrs. Haslam promotes early literacy by emphasizing the value of families reading with their children at least twenty minutes each day, beginning at birth. Research shows that children who are read to on a regular basis show more interest in books, have a greater vocabulary, and perform better in school. In June 2012, Mrs. Haslam launched the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club, a program featuring a new book and corresponding family friendly activities each month. She has visited with schools and families across Tennessee to encourage early literacy through participation in the program.

“It cannot be understated how important it is to read with children early in life,” Mrs. Haslam said. “A child’s first three years of life are an important window of opportunity to make certain they have the strongest possible foundation for success.”  

For more information about the Read20 Family Book Club visit www.tn.gov/read20, www.facebook.com/CrissyHaslam, or follow @Crissy Haslam on Twitter.