Babble, Scribble, Read

It’s never too early to start reading to kids!

Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read or write.

Reading or sharing books with children is one way to talk with them. It also introduces them to the world. Even if they have not seen an actual cow, children can learn that there is such an animal by seeing a picture of one in a book.

Not only do children who are exposed to books early in life have better language skills than those who wait until later, but they also have better success in learning to read.

There are so many things you can do with young children to help them enjoy language, books and reading. You, their parents/caregivers, are in the best position to help them get ready to learn to read. Why is this?

•     Children begin to get ready to read long before they start school.
•     You know your children best, and can help them learn in the ways that are easiest for them.
•     Children learn best by doing things, and love to do things with YOU.
•     Young children often have short attention spans, and enjoy repeating favorite activities. Parents and caregivers can share these activities often and for short amounts of time throughout the day.
•     YOU know your children well, and can take advantage of times when your children are “in the mood,” and ready to learn.
•     When children see their parents read they are more likely to become readers themselves. Seeing you read is very powerful!

Picture book of the week: The Tickly Monster

The Tickly Monster is a funny, furry little fellow with many pairs of hands. His story is told in verse. “He tickles your tummy and knows you will giggle…. Then he tickles some more…. And you start to wiggle!” This gentle little story finally ends when Mom and Dad tuck baby into bed with all his friendly stuffed animals.

Song of the week: Where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Oh where, oh where can he be?

With his tail cut short,

And his ears cut long,

Oh where, oh where can he be?

Fingerplay of the week: Little puppies and kittens

One little, two little, three little kittens (count up to 3 fingers)

Were napping in the sun (bend fingers down)

One little, two little, three little puppies said (count up to 3 fingers)

“Come, let us all have fun.”

Up to the kittens the puppies went creeping (move puppy fingers slowly toward kitten fingers)

As quiet, as quiet could be

One little, two little, three little kittens

Went scampering up a tall tree (move kitten fingers quickly into the air)

Rhyme of the week: Hey diddle diddle

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Picture book of the week: Clifford the big red dog

Emily Elizabeth has a big red dog–the biggest, reddest dog on her street, and his name is Clifford. How big is he? He’s so big that when he runs after cars, he catches them in his mouth, and his doghouse is bigger than Emily Elizabeth’s house.

Lapsit

Lapsit, a parent/child participation program, helps your child develop essential early literacy skills. It provides one-on-one interaction between parent/caregiver and child as we read simple stories, share fingerplays and movement, and sing songs and nursery rhymes together. It is an introduction to books, focusing on the reading portion of language development. Children learn how to open a book, move their eyes from left to right, turn pages, learn the sound of letters, the way a book is read, the sharing of stories. It moves them towards reading readiness. They’ve learned how to handle books and they’ve heard so many words and built their vocabulary so that they are becoming ready to read on their own. They also have the chance to be in a group setting, and so lapsit aims at social development. They develop attention span, patience, and practice interacting including sharing. If interested in Lapsit please call Sheila at 655-7654.

Picture book of the week: Corduroy goes to the library

Corduroy goes to the library

Corduroy is excited-today he is taking a trip to the library.

First he returns his books, then he heads to the children’s section for story hour. The librarian reads stories about farms, and Corduroy and his friends make animals masks. Before he leaves, Corduroy picks out some books to take home. He can’t wait to come back to the library next week

Children will love lifting over thirty flaps to see all the fun things there are to do at the library-curl up in a cozy chair and read, look at magazines, play on the computer, and more.

Song of the week: I’m a Little Teapot

I’m a little teapot short and stout

Here is my handle, here is my spout

When I get all steamed up, hear me shout

Tip me over and pour me out

Rhyme of the week: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

One, two, buckle my shoe

Three, four, shut the door

Five, six, pick up sticks

Seven, eight, lay them straight

Nine, ten, big fat hen

Fingerplay of the week: Ten Fingers

Ten Fingers

I have ten fingers (hold up both hands, fingers spread)

And they all belong to me (point to self)

I can make them do things-

Would you like to see?

I can shut them up tight (make fists)

I can open them wide (open hands)

I can put them together (place palms together)

I can make them all hide (put hands behind back)

I can make them jump high (hands over head)

I can make them jump low (touch floor)

I can fold them up quietly (fold hands in lap)

And hold them just so.

Song of the week: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

Baa, baa, black sheep have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.
One for the master, and one for the dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane.

Rhyme of the week: Hey Diddle, Diddle

Hey Diddle, Diddle

Hey diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Fingerplay of the week: Head and Shoulders

Head and Shoulders (Sing to the Tune of London Bridge)

Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes, (suit actions to words)
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Eyes and ears, mouth and nose.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Raise Writers

Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Raise Writers…

• Be sure your child has different types of writing implements such as pencils, crayons, markers and lots of paper to use them on.

• Encourage your child to tell you stories. Write them down and have your child illustrate them.

• Create labels so your child can match them to objects throughout your home.

• Before you go to the grocery store write a shopping list together. Have your child cross items off the list after you select them.

• Create scrapbooks about your family, special occasions, and trips.

• Keep a journal with your child and have him/her summarize what happens each day while you write it down.

• When you are writing notes or emailing, ask your child what he/she would like you to tell a relative or friend.

• Write a list as your child dictates to you. It could be a wish list, a to do list, etc

• Encourage print recognition in everyday situations such as street signs and local businesses.

• After a trip to a park, zoo, or other special place have your child dictate what you did, what you saw as you write it down. Have your child add pictures to complete the story.

Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Raise Readers

Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Raise Readers…

• Read to your child every day. Make it a special time when you both can relax, snuggle and enjoy books.

• Sing nursery rhymes and finger plays to introduce an awareness of speech sounds and patterns.

• Visit the library on a regular basis and borrow a wide range of books and audio materials. Take part in activities the library provides for young children.

• Use words to describe aloud what you are doing or what you see around your house and community.

• Learning depends on repetition. It is good when children ask for favorites to be read again and again.

• Encourage your child to “read” picture books to you.

• Be a good role model by reading for enjoyment and information yourself.

• When reading aloud, use lots of expression, different voices and sound effects when appropriate.

• Read books that play with language such as poetry, tongue twisters, rhymes, and riddles.

• Build a home library and fill it with your child’s favorite titles.