North Carolina Promotes Early Learning Through Its ABC Stores

The state of North Carolina believes that it is never too early to start one's education. Children here needn't wait for kindergarten to begin learning valuable language arts and mathematical skills, thanks to the many ABC Stores located throughout the state. As the name indicates, an ABC Store is a Golconda of early education.


Youngsters can practice their phonics at the ABC Store, sounding out such words as "Johnnie Walker Black" and "Maker's Mark," all of which are conveniently printed in large, appealing fonts on the labels of bottles displayed throughout. Advanced learners can take a stab at a foreign language, practicing such important vocablary words as Jägermeister and Metaxa.

Math skills are not neglected at our ABC Stores. The store is full of opportunities for youngsters to practice their times table for 2. The little shavers simply locate the "percent by alcohol" information on a bottle label (identifying and finding pertinent information--another valuable skill!) and multiply it by two to calculate the proof. The correct answer is printed right on the label, so the kiddos can check their own work. Those with advanced math skills can stand by the register and practice both adding decimals that end in .99 and calculating the sales tax on their running sums.

Best of all, by observing the customers, children learn what grownups who drink too much look like. This is a proven effective deterrent to alcohol abuse.