Literacy Learning Can Happen Anywhere/Everywhere!
AT HOME
Learning to read has to begin at home with primary caregivers and family. The family initially fosters oral communication, interest in books and stories, and learning about sounds, letters and words. Primary caregivers may also include home daycares as well as extended family. I believe our job as advocates for development of successful readers is to work to provide resources for these primary caregivers. Below are some sites that may be useful.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/books-for-at-risk-babies#!
http://teachmama.com/skinny-on-important-early-literacy/
http://www.everychildreadytoread.org/
http://www.keepingyourcents.com/five-strategies-for-encouraging-early-literacy/
IN THE COMMUNITY
Believing in the concept that “It takes a village!,” we also support the idea that there are resources outside of the home that can facilitate language/literacy development, even for the youngest learners. See, for example,
Physicians (Reach Out and Read)
http://www.reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/ROR_FY13_AR_web.pdf
“Our story began 25 years ago inside the medical exam rooms of Boston City Hospital. There, pediatricians and educators had the incredible foresight to integrate books for children and advice for parents on reading aloud into standard pediatric care. It was a simple idea with a remarkable outcome. Today, the research to support this practice is stronger than ever: the first five years of a child’s life offer a critical window for brain growth and language development, and frequent exposure to language and reading at home sets a strong foundation for young children to learn. By encouraging parents to read aloud to their babies and toddlers,
Reach Out and Read’s pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other medical providers play a key role in ensuring the healthy development of our nation’s youngest children.”
Whole Communities
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131002/OPINION/310020302
“Funding is only part of the solution. Getting all children in New Bedford reading on grade level will require the entire community and a shift in our thinking “
Libraries
http://readingwithred.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html
http://www.everychildreadytoread.org/about
The library will even come to you!
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/10/12/ready-to-read-gives-kids-boost.html
The Police Department (Yes, the Police Department)
http://www.startribune.com/local/east/225124642.html
Other Volunteer Based Programs
IN THE CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL
Starting in preschool and continuing into K-2 classrooms and beyond…..
Preschool becomes the Toddlers first “classroom.”
Primary Grades and Beyond
http://conversationsinliteracy.blogspot.com/
http://comprehensionconnection.blogspot.com/2014/01/wednesday-wow-about-vocabulary.html
Throughout the School
http://www.teachthought.com/featured/25-ways-schools-can-promote-literacy-independent-reading/
ONLINE
There are so many resources online that I don’t know where to begin (or end). They include information and ideas for parents and teachers, access to books, games and activities, research, and resources (both commercial and free).
For example:
http://smartblogs.com/education/2013/09/23/kindergarten-in-action-a-focus-on-literacy/
http://www.education.com/reference/article/foundations-early-literacy-development/
http://kathycassidy.com/2013/09/14/the-early-literacy-shift-new-words-new-media-new-friends/
http://childhood101.com/2013/09/sight-words-activities/
And there are sites/links specific to struggling readers:
http://www.interdys.org/TenInteractiveBooks.htm
http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/experts
And so? So, what tools and skills do we need to maximize the contribution of each type of stakeholder/advocate—family, school, “local” community, online community?
Dialogue About Language, Literacy and Learning 