After more than four months of research, preparation, and development, the pilot workshop was held in collaboration with the institution “Casita Infantil Campestre,” located in Acacías, Meta. The main objective was the creation and formalization of the “Reading Club” program.
The participation of more than 25 families, including parents, children, and teachers, in the various activities allowed us to consolidate a structured program that will be offered to more institutions. Thanks to CASITA INFANTIL CAMPESTRE and the support of the parents, we saw the results of an effort that has borne fruit, and we hope it will reach many more children and their families.
The Reading Club began in April 2025 with the implementation of the “Joy of Reading” campaign, whose main objective was to promote interest in reading. This initiative was preceded by research that demonstrated its importance.
"The reading level among Colombian children shows worrying indicators: nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds—two out of every three children—are unable to interpret or understand a simple text. This problem is exacerbated by limited investment in the promotion of reading. Studies show that approximately 50% of adolescents do not reach a minimum level of reading proficiency and 51% of 15-year-old Colombian students perform poorly in reading, compared to the average for OECD countries."
The project was supported by Astrid Martínez, a renowned professor specializing in early childhood education and author of Jardín de Soñadores – Poemas para niños (Garden of Dreamers – Poems for Children). As part of the activities, home visits and various group sessions were held in which reading and listening experiences were shared with the children of the Foundation, spreading awareness of the benefits of reading for both child development and strengthening the bond between parents and children.
A significant opportunity to optimize the experience was identified, and a program was designed to encourage reading habits among children and their parents. The goal was to develop an initiative that could be replicated in different institutions, with tools for monitoring and evaluating its impact.
To implement the program, an initial agreement was established with the Casita Infantil Campestre institution. This agreement allowed for the joint implementation of a pilot plan aimed at designing a specific, measurable, and easily supervised program, which concluded with the first official promotion. Subsequently, review, evaluation, and refinement processes were carried out, resulting in the creation of the “Matías Panatta Reading Club Workshop.”
