[LM_NET] HIT: Creating a "Reading with your child" program

["Steward, Amy" <StewardA@FULTON.K12.GA.US>]

Thanks to everyone for responding to my question about how to go about creating and 
teaching a basic "reading with your child" class for a pregnancy help center.  I 
have listed the responses below.

 

Thanks again,

Amy Steward

Media Specialist, NBCT

Fulton County Schools

Atlanta, GA

stewarda@fultonschools.org

 

**********************************************************************************************************

 

Mem Fox's Reading Magic is an excellent place to begin.  This is a great book with 
easy and practical ideas on reading aloud.  It also talks about the importance of 
reading and gives statistics.  

 

******************************************************************************

...One thing that sticks in my mind as particularly good advice in a setting such 
as the one you describe was that the parent should read to the child every day but 
she sets a goal of 10 minutes.  Her suggestion reminded us that many programs 
recommended more time, but she felt that a shorter time is more "do-able" and the 
parents, especially ones with relatively low motivation, are more likely to follow 
through on the shorter time goal.  Also, with busy parents, they are inclined to 
skip the reading entirely if they cannot do the whole recommended amount. In this 
way, it is more likely that they will find or make the time to do the 10 minutes.   

 

****************************************************************************** 
<mailto:gsmith@edison.cps.k12.il.us> 

 

I would find a source of books that you could give each new mother to be and
then get their address so you could send a follow up book when the child is
born (advertising for gently worn donated books might be a way).  Helping
them start their own library collection would be a great way to help these
mothers.  I know that as gifts I often give books (the librarian in me) as
baby gifts to help kick start a home library.

You might even start a mother/child storytime for when the baby is born.  A
time once a week when they could come in and have punch/conversation/a
chance to read as a group or individually.

Have information available about your public library so that they know it is
an option to them at no cost.



 

We have a couple of shelves of Easy books that we encourage the [teen mom's at my 
school] to check out.  


 

 

I would suggest that you get copies of Jim Trelease's books on reading to your 
child.  You will find that he offers many great ideas !

 

 

Public library information? How to get a library card;
programming, etc.

Would be great if you could get someone to provide
free paperbacks.



 

You might want to get this book: Playful Reading: Positive, Fun Ways to Build the 
Bond Between Preschoolers, Books, and You, by Carolyn Munson-Benson.  Carolyn 
Munson-Benson is the founder and director of The Early Bird Project which promotes 
early literacy with preschool educators, librarians, child-care providers, and 
policy makers.




 

Give them a book to keep and read to their child.  A lot of these
mothers have no children's books in their home. Are you familiar with
"Read To Your Bunny" by Rosemary Wells?. It's my first choice.  Comes in
board book, and encourages parents to read to their babies.

 

 

This link might help out:  Book Distribution Programs to Support Early Literacy 
http://www.nccic.org/poptopics/bookdist.html 
<https://webmail.fultonschools.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.nccic.org/poptopics/bookdist.html>
 




 

I would encourage you to consider having an "introductory class" and then monthly 
or bi-monthly offer a class featuring a story time with a new group of books and 
perhaps some finger plays. Perhaps children's librarians in the area could 
alternate if you don't have the time to do it. 

Take a look at these three sites

 

http://www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/parenttips.html

 

http://www.getcaughtreading.org/booksellers.htm 
<https://webmail.fultonschools.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.getcaughtreading.org/booksellers.htm>
 

 

http://www.southernstandard.net/news.php?viewStory=28069 
<https://webmail.fultonschools.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.southernstandard.net/news.php?viewStory=28069>
 

 

<mailto:shatz@verizon.net>  

 

<mailto:stewarda@fultonschools.org>  

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