September 2023 Ready, Set, Meet!

Ready, Set, Read! delivers programming in partnership with LAUSD's Early Childhood Education Division and the (amazing, dedicated, and talented!) educators at 91 early education centers (EECs) across 720 square miles of greater Los Angeles. We're looking forward to introducing these educators to you, starting today with Paula Swearingen, Principal of Cabrillo EEC in San Pedro.

Principal Swearingen is an early childhood leader, administrator, and ECE consultant with 30 years of experience in early education programs in Los Angeles County. She holds an M.A. in early childhood education from Pacific Oaks College; a Child Development Program Director Credential and is CLASS certified for infant, toddler and pre-k age groups.

Principal Swearingen is also a children’s book author. Her two books, Brown Skin, Curly Hair, I Love Being Me! and Brown Skin, Curly Girl Becomes a Marine Biologist, are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org.

As an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in early childhood education, Principal Swearingen firmly believes in the importance of exposing children to different cultures, races, and ethnicities at an early age to encourage an appreciation of people from all backgrounds.

What books are the children at Cabrillo EEC enjoying these days?

We expose our students at Cabrillo EEC to a variety of books related to different cultures, races and disabilities, jobs/careers, nature, science, feelings, and health. They currently enjoy Pete the Cat; No, David!; and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Books that I think should be on every child's bookshelf are those that enhance social /emotional development and self awareness. For example: The Curious George series encourages curiosity and learning from mistakes; and Corduroy teaches children the importance of friendship, kindness, and love.

What advice do you have for parents about establishing and continuing family reading routines?

I suggest making reading fun and a family activity. Establish a reading corner that is accessible in your home. Visiting the library to pick out books and participating in story time helps create a love for books. Most importantly, I recommend reading to your child often and letting them see you reading as well.

How has Ready, Set, Read! complemented the work that Cabrillo EEC is doing to promote early literacy?

Ready, Set, Read! has provided great resources such as books and support in conducting effective parent workshops on literacy. The students are always so excited to receive these books, and I encourage my parents to create a home library for their child and read to them every day. 

Please tell us about your first book. And, how did you realize you wanted to be an author? 

Brown Skin, Curly Hair, I love Being Me! is a delightful book that encourages self appreciation and an acceptance of various cultures, races, and ethnicities. The story is centered around a Nigerian girl who expresses the love and pride she has for her rich African culture. 

My desire to become an author was inspired by a need to have more books that provided an accurate representation of African Americans. It's important that children can see themselves positively reflected in books. I also wanted to highlight appreciating the unique differences of our skin and curly hair and that it is our differences that makes us beautiful.

When we visited Cabrillo EEC, we noticed how books, including your own books, are displayed very prominently around the school. How important is it that your students are surrounded by books and have you as an example of an author?

Literacy begins in the early years of a child's life. It's important to expose children to a variety of books to help with pre-reading skills and develop a lifelong love of reading. For some children, their first exposure to books is in school. 

My students were able to see firsthand the step-by-step process of creating a book from start to finish. They went on the journey with me from putting the words on paper, giving me feedback on the story content to seeing the end result of it being published into a colorful picture book. 

As an author, it's important for my students to see my passion for storytelling and to be an example of what I am trying to instill in them. I want them to believe they can create and be whatever they put their minds to, and reassure them that their stories are valid, and dreams are limitless. 

Let's continue supporting parents as they create daily reading routines—and building children's home libraries with diverse books to inspire their limitless dreams!