The Goddard School Seeks Guinness World Record with Live Reading Event

The Goddard School, a prominent early childhood education provider, is set to attempt a Guinness World Records title for the most viewers of a reading live stream on YouTube. The event will take place on September 3, 2023, at noon ET, coinciding with the launch of National Literacy Month. This initiative is open to the public and aims to promote literacy among young children.

Steve Burns, recognized as the original host of the children’s television program Blue’s Clues and current host of the upcoming podcast Alive, will read the book Curious Blueberry the Carousel Horse. This live reading will occur at The Goddard School of Manhattan (StuyTown) with students and teachers attending in person, while thousands of participants from over 650 Goddard Schools across the country will join virtually.

Marcel Nahm, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Goddard Systems, LLC, emphasized the significance of reading in early childhood development. “At The Goddard School, we recognize the impact reading has on children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development, and its power to spark a love of learning,” Nahm stated. “We can’t think of a more memorable and engaging way to kick off National Literacy Month than by inspiring the next generation of readers and attempting to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title.”

Curious Blueberry the Carousel Horse, authored by Steve Metzger and illustrated by Bruno Robert, narrates the adventures of Blueberry, a carousel horse, and her animal friends as they explore the value of curiosity. The story is designed to engage young readers through open-ended questions that encourage reflection and interaction.

Promoting Lifelong Literacy

This initiative aligns with The Goddard School’s Wonder of Learning® program, which adopts an inquiry-based learning approach. This method fosters academic, social, and emotional growth by motivating children to explore, investigate, and collaborate. The book also offers families practical tips for extending inquiry-based learning at home.

The Goddard School aims to achieve more than just a world record with this event. It seeks to create a shared moment of reading that highlights the enduring importance of literacy for children. By engaging families and communities across the nation, the initiative hopes to inspire a collective commitment to fostering a love for reading among young learners.

As the live stream approaches, excitement builds around this unique effort to promote literacy and community engagement. Interested participants can join the event online and be part of this significant moment in support of early childhood education.