You may be one of the good-hearted people who are looking for a great year end investment to help needy kids. We all deserve good things out of life, and it is within our power to help others have the seeds of better tomorrows for themselves and their children. This is a time of year when many look for a way to invest in caring for others, and in the process we improve life for everyone.
Your investment in our action plan can help parents of at-risk infants and toddlers become able enough to share appropriate early literacy techniques. Literacy for Tykes offers step-by-step guidelines to parents who have not read to their child at all previously. Often they do not have a concept of early child reading , because they were not read to as a little child themselves. They had a hard time in school and often they dropped out before graduating high school. They don't relate to literacy as a positive experience. Yet many of these parents want a better life for their child.
Parents who put forth the effort to go to pre-screening for Headstart or state-funded pre-ks for low income are seeking help for their child. Staff of these educational services want to offer our materials to these pre-screening parents, with instruction to read the step-by-step guideline picture book to their child. They encourage the parents with our Tip Sheet and Spanish Translation Inserts to make the process seem more do-able. The results are amazing.
Children of this late 3yr /early 4 yr age are like sponges, and the Spring to Fall interval in a perfect time for them to absorb early visual literacy, familiarity with books, pointing at objects when mentioned: all steps that will help the child feel more confident by time he or she gets to the group class experience in the Fall.
This action plan provides often a first exposure for the child to useful lifelong learning skills. Also the parents feel better because they have a do-able way to improve their child's chances at school. Most parents want to do that, and our plan empowers them with appropriate early literacy skills to share. This plan strengthens the family literacy, as well as the child's grasp of basic sound /picture correlation.
Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in a brighter future for these many needy families. We all will benefit, by less need of expensive of public remedial education, and economic burden of high school drop outs. "It only takes one serious yes, one declaration", says Kendra Thornbury, to open you up to the joy of knowing you have helped these at-risk children and their families.
Go to www.LiteracyForTykes.com (see live link on right side of this blog page) to invest with Paypal button. One click away.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Tweets
- M : Make the most of merry moments.
- E : Exude excellent energy everywhere.
- R : Read really rollicking rhymes.
- R : Revere relatives' roles respectfully.
- Y : Yield yourself to younger yearnings.
- C : Care carefully for children & children's children.
- H : Have happy heartfelt holidays
- R : Relish reading with relatives.
- I : Initiate inspiring incidents.
- S : Send sentiments so sweetly.
- T : Tell tales til turtledoves twirl tree tops.
- M : Make merry motions many mornings.
- A : Author anthems of appreciation.
- S : Smile singing simply satisfying songs.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
CHRISTMAS TWEETS
- C : Care carefully for children & children's children.
- H : Have happy heartfelt holidays.
- R : Relish reading with relatives.
- I : Initiate inspiring incidents.
- S : Send sentiments so sweetly.
- T : Tell tales til turtledoves twirl tree tops.
- M : Make merry motions many mornings.
- A : Author anthems of appreciation.
- S : Smile singing simply satisfying songs.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Share Early Literacy Time to Increase Needed Learning Skills
Parents need to understand, the neural pathways needed for literacy and lifelong learning skills are ideally created by positive experiences from active-infant stage through early pre-K stage. This is a narrow four-year period before kindergarten. Later remedial literacy efforts are difficult because the needed neural network is not present in the child's brain.
This underscores the point that education starts in the home. Even parents who do not consider themselves to be qualified to be their child's first teacher can learn basic picture-book-reading techniques in time . Years of early reading experience before kindergarten make for reading and school readiness.
Dana Foundation researched Neuroeducation: Learning, Arts and the Brain (120 pages), an intersection of cognitive neuroscience, the arts and learning. http://bit.ly/4ovu3r (1.47MB HTML). This study supports early picture book reading and other arts exposure to develop essential neural pathways for lifelong learning skills. Mariale Hardiman, Janet Eilber, Susan Magsamery, Guy McKhann all looked into the effects of early arts education on aspects of cognition and learning.
The children without earlier lap reading time with parents, have been the study at least one Kindergarten remedial project. A kindly visiting adult reader can help establish some social skills and learning skills in children who have been acting out in frustration. The premise of this study was the children were acting out because they never had the nurture relating to positive learning "reading can be fun".
These children had felt left out of the fun that other children seemed to have with books, and assumed the school experience was hostile for them. This project did help smooth out the frustration. Though they may never catch up with the 50% of agemates with the earlier fun/reading start, they felt better about themselves. Someone was finally showing them what they were missing. This project is exceptionally enlightened and not the norm across the board.
This second window of remedial adult/child reading interaction is closed by age 8 years. If an at-risk child does not experience some kind of intervention by then, the child remains 2 years behind agemates throughout school and is 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out of high school before graduation. In the vernacular, they feel like "the cards are stacked against them".
The social fallout of the currently escalating drop out rate is increased crime, increased unemployment rates, increased population in prisons, increased public expenses, increased need for taxes, decreased national productivity and quality of life. For these reasons economists are saying the best investment anyone can make to strengthen our society is in early literacy, arts and health intervention in ages birth through age 5 years.
In one such program currently done in Minnesota, home visitors coach parents on effective early literacy techniques and health issues for the first 3 years. Then for parents who co-operated with that phase, funding is made available sufficient to provide highest possible pre-kindergarten education. This program creates children with kindergarten readiness equal to the most privileged child.
There are several online mom groups who encourage the value of moms work loving and raising their children and create mom interest groups . Picture book reading and family charity to disadvantaged families are two topics of these groups. We salute www.themotherhood.com and www.extraordinarymommy.com.
This underscores the point that education starts in the home. Even parents who do not consider themselves to be qualified to be their child's first teacher can learn basic picture-book-reading techniques in time . Years of early reading experience before kindergarten make for reading and school readiness.
Dana Foundation researched Neuroeducation: Learning, Arts and the Brain (120 pages), an intersection of cognitive neuroscience, the arts and learning. http://bit.ly/4ovu3r (1.47MB HTML). This study supports early picture book reading and other arts exposure to develop essential neural pathways for lifelong learning skills. Mariale Hardiman, Janet Eilber, Susan Magsamery, Guy McKhann all looked into the effects of early arts education on aspects of cognition and learning.
The children without earlier lap reading time with parents, have been the study at least one Kindergarten remedial project. A kindly visiting adult reader can help establish some social skills and learning skills in children who have been acting out in frustration. The premise of this study was the children were acting out because they never had the nurture relating to positive learning "reading can be fun".
These children had felt left out of the fun that other children seemed to have with books, and assumed the school experience was hostile for them. This project did help smooth out the frustration. Though they may never catch up with the 50% of agemates with the earlier fun/reading start, they felt better about themselves. Someone was finally showing them what they were missing. This project is exceptionally enlightened and not the norm across the board.
This second window of remedial adult/child reading interaction is closed by age 8 years. If an at-risk child does not experience some kind of intervention by then, the child remains 2 years behind agemates throughout school and is 3 to 4 times more likely to drop out of high school before graduation. In the vernacular, they feel like "the cards are stacked against them".
The social fallout of the currently escalating drop out rate is increased crime, increased unemployment rates, increased population in prisons, increased public expenses, increased need for taxes, decreased national productivity and quality of life. For these reasons economists are saying the best investment anyone can make to strengthen our society is in early literacy, arts and health intervention in ages birth through age 5 years.
In one such program currently done in Minnesota, home visitors coach parents on effective early literacy techniques and health issues for the first 3 years. Then for parents who co-operated with that phase, funding is made available sufficient to provide highest possible pre-kindergarten education. This program creates children with kindergarten readiness equal to the most privileged child.
There are several online mom groups who encourage the value of moms work loving and raising their children and create mom interest groups . Picture book reading and family charity to disadvantaged families are two topics of these groups. We salute www.themotherhood.com and www.extraordinarymommy.com.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Parents: Believe in Your Toddler/Preschooler
When experts tell you your child has a developmental lag, keep believing that you and he can do anything together. Maybe he doesn't fit in some larger grouping and has to go to a special class for now, but the future is still wide open as long as you keep on reading and enjoying learning together.
The nurturing experience he has with you, one-on-one that includes picture books can establish neural pathways that become very significant in the long run. Lifelong learning skills are the point, and believing in him, seeing his open possibilities.
I say "his" because I'm thinking of 2 specific boys and their parents. One boy's mom who had always loved reading picture books with her toddler, was told he was too young to go into regular kindergarten, and again by his kindergarten teacher that he wasn't ready for first grade. Mom believed in him as being very bright , with great potential. She found a private school that had small class sizes, and individualized subject levels. They tested him and found a co-ordination lag that they felt would possibly disappear with normal growth. "Boys often have co-ordination lags at his age that effect reading readiness," they said. She was able to keep him at that school through first grade, where the teacher remarked on his advanced grasp of theoretic math, specifically negative numbers. He was able to progress in every subject at his natural rate. They gave him encouragement with reading skills in class, all positive, and mom continued enjoying reading picture books with him daily.
By second grade, mom could no longer afford the private school. She was concerned, hoping her son had received enough individualized support to blend with a regular class. He did very well, got A's in every subject. Mom only had to ask his public school second grade teacher not to yell so much at the children. Mom explained he had a very kind supportive teacher the year before and found her yelling distracting. She tried a more gentle approach, which benefited all the students, and he led his classmates even in reading.
That boy just graduated from college summa cum laude, with a strong literature curriculum, and advanced writing, in a generation that is generally considered to be lacking in literacy skills. Also, as a young father himself, he has always read to his son, always believed in him , who is doing well now in second grade.
The nurturing experience he has with you, one-on-one that includes picture books can establish neural pathways that become very significant in the long run. Lifelong learning skills are the point, and believing in him, seeing his open possibilities.
I say "his" because I'm thinking of 2 specific boys and their parents. One boy's mom who had always loved reading picture books with her toddler, was told he was too young to go into regular kindergarten, and again by his kindergarten teacher that he wasn't ready for first grade. Mom believed in him as being very bright , with great potential. She found a private school that had small class sizes, and individualized subject levels. They tested him and found a co-ordination lag that they felt would possibly disappear with normal growth. "Boys often have co-ordination lags at his age that effect reading readiness," they said. She was able to keep him at that school through first grade, where the teacher remarked on his advanced grasp of theoretic math, specifically negative numbers. He was able to progress in every subject at his natural rate. They gave him encouragement with reading skills in class, all positive, and mom continued enjoying reading picture books with him daily.
By second grade, mom could no longer afford the private school. She was concerned, hoping her son had received enough individualized support to blend with a regular class. He did very well, got A's in every subject. Mom only had to ask his public school second grade teacher not to yell so much at the children. Mom explained he had a very kind supportive teacher the year before and found her yelling distracting. She tried a more gentle approach, which benefited all the students, and he led his classmates even in reading.
That boy just graduated from college summa cum laude, with a strong literature curriculum, and advanced writing, in a generation that is generally considered to be lacking in literacy skills. Also, as a young father himself, he has always read to his son, always believed in him , who is doing well now in second grade.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Help Us Change At-risk Children's Future
Over 50% of America's children are at-risk to fail when entering kindergarten. The one thing they have in common is no books in their home suitable for children. No one reads to them at home.
This is tragic when coupled with the research findings on why high school dropouts are increasing each year (It is now conservatively estimated that 30% of high schoolers are dropping out before graduation.) The researchers traced the problems back to lack of shared family reading in the home before kindergarten. When children face school unprepared, they never catch up, staying 2 years behind agemates. They are 3 to 4 times more likely to dropout, feeling unsuccessful in the school process.
Literacy For Tykes has developed a method using step-by-step guidelines, empowering parents to use appropriate techniques to bring literacy to their early child. Our all-volunteer staff has given up royalty rights so we can offer these books and materials to benefit low-income at-risk children. Our non-profit educational and human service partners have identified at-risk children. They are happy to distribute our books and materials, and follow through encouraging parents to use appropriate techniques to read together with their children. Repeatedly they, report parent enthusiasm and measurable increases of time families are reading aloud together.
*************************************************************************************
Literacy For Tykes is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. We depend on donations from sympathetic and generous people like you. Your donations allow us to pay publisher costs and shipping, and create materials, getting them to needy low-income families of at-risk children free of charge.
This is tragic when coupled with the research findings on why high school dropouts are increasing each year (It is now conservatively estimated that 30% of high schoolers are dropping out before graduation.) The researchers traced the problems back to lack of shared family reading in the home before kindergarten. When children face school unprepared, they never catch up, staying 2 years behind agemates. They are 3 to 4 times more likely to dropout, feeling unsuccessful in the school process.
Literacy For Tykes has developed a method using step-by-step guidelines, empowering parents to use appropriate techniques to bring literacy to their early child. Our all-volunteer staff has given up royalty rights so we can offer these books and materials to benefit low-income at-risk children. Our non-profit educational and human service partners have identified at-risk children. They are happy to distribute our books and materials, and follow through encouraging parents to use appropriate techniques to read together with their children. Repeatedly they, report parent enthusiasm and measurable increases of time families are reading aloud together.
*************************************************************************************
Literacy For Tykes is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. We depend on donations from sympathetic and generous people like you. Your donations allow us to pay publisher costs and shipping, and create materials, getting them to needy low-income families of at-risk children free of charge.
Please take part in our Year-Ending Fundraiser
to reach at least 2010 at-risk children in 2010.
Use Link at right on this page "Literacy For Tykes Main Website"
to use easy PayPal Button there
for secure tax-deductible donations.
All size donations are welcomed.
As a special thank you to those donating over $10
we will send a full-color copy of
"Enjoy Picture Books With Children"
along with your official tax receipt.
to reach at least 2010 at-risk children in 2010.
Use Link at right on this page "Literacy For Tykes Main Website"
to use easy PayPal Button there
for secure tax-deductible donations.
All size donations are welcomed.
As a special thank you to those donating over $10
we will send a full-color copy of
"Enjoy Picture Books With Children"
along with your official tax receipt.
On behalf of our all-volunteer staff, partners, children and families we serve,
Thank you for all your help for the sake of giving these at-risk little ones a brighter future, and strengthening their families.
May you and yours have a blessed and prosperous New Year.
Nancy J. Cloyd
President of Literacy for Tykes
*************************************************************************************
May you and yours have a blessed and prosperous New Year.
Nancy J. Cloyd
President of Literacy for Tykes
*************************************************************************************
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Be an Angel - Include a Book
For those kind-hearted people who take a name from an Angel Tree, or otherwise give presents to poor and low-income children, please include an age-appropriate book. If you are given the child's age and they are under 5-years old give them a simply-worded picture book. Rhyming words are fun for this age. If they are elementary school age give them a picture book with a simply worded story line.
These are exactly the demographic who have no books in the home suitable for a child to read.
These are the ones who come to kindergarten at-risk-to-fail. Often they have never been read to in their home. They are probably 2 years behind their agemates in school, if they are already in elementary school.
Older elementary or middle school kids do well with an age-appropriate graphic novel or a comic book. Pictures are still important to this age. If you've got a teen, try a teen magazine to get their interest. Anything written about Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) or the Jonas Brothers should do it. In Style for girls and People magazines might be good choices to get them reading.
I'm sure you will also get them something warm to wear, if its cold where you are; and some kind of an amusement. My point is please include an age-appropriate book, graphic novel, comic book or magazine in your gift selections.
Also see tomorrow's blog for other free things you can do to help many little at-risk children in the next few weeks. Literacy for Tykes salutes your spirit of caring and giving!
These are exactly the demographic who have no books in the home suitable for a child to read.
These are the ones who come to kindergarten at-risk-to-fail. Often they have never been read to in their home. They are probably 2 years behind their agemates in school, if they are already in elementary school.
Older elementary or middle school kids do well with an age-appropriate graphic novel or a comic book. Pictures are still important to this age. If you've got a teen, try a teen magazine to get their interest. Anything written about Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) or the Jonas Brothers should do it. In Style for girls and People magazines might be good choices to get them reading.
I'm sure you will also get them something warm to wear, if its cold where you are; and some kind of an amusement. My point is please include an age-appropriate book, graphic novel, comic book or magazine in your gift selections.
Also see tomorrow's blog for other free things you can do to help many little at-risk children in the next few weeks. Literacy for Tykes salutes your spirit of caring and giving!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Fun Online Literacy Sites to Add to Daily Home Read
First and foremost Literacy For Tykes recommends reading with your child at home during a quiet time for 20 minutes each day. Beyond that regular reading together time that is so nurturing to your early child as a person and a future reader, there are a few thoughtful services that can be fun ways to promote your child's interest in literacy. These will probably be most effective for 4-year-olds, or a precocious three year old that wants to do everything fun.
This first one is especially fun if you like doing Santa-oriented activities with your child before Christmas. This site http://www.MyElfHelp.com is one you can go to and see if you want to interact with it. You will see Santa Notes that are new daily that you can read with your child, and you can become a member for a onetime fee of $9.95 to have full use of the site. This includes a Letter-to-Santa writing program that you can use with your little one. When you become a member, you can select from a list of 20 or so Children's Charities to receive a donation. Our Literacy For Tykes is one of those charities recognized by that site. You have fun reading and writing with your preschooler, or even elementary-school-age child, and other needy children benefit as well.
Another site that gives an added dimension to reading fun online is probably good for 4 yrs and up. It is www.StorylineOnline.net . Screen Actors Guild members such as James Earl Jones, Melissa Gilbert, Robert Guillaume, Caitlin Wachs, and Pamela Reed each read a specific children's book online. I would recommend listening to the story with your child and responding to the story to give your child cues as to meaning.
Your personal input and interaction with your child to help them understand, interpret, and enjoy these experiences are still the key to their benefit. Your enthusiasm is what your child looks for as whether or not this means anything to them.
Also I would again state that these online activities are only meant to compliment years of home reading with you. Your child needs a strong base of experience directly with you, exploring characteristics of picture books together for 20 minutes a day, before he or she will be ready to comprehend language and picture/print symbolism. You are their first interpreter . You are their most important person. They learn from you. In the online experience they learn with you.
This first one is especially fun if you like doing Santa-oriented activities with your child before Christmas. This site http://www.MyElfHelp.com is one you can go to and see if you want to interact with it. You will see Santa Notes that are new daily that you can read with your child, and you can become a member for a onetime fee of $9.95 to have full use of the site. This includes a Letter-to-Santa writing program that you can use with your little one. When you become a member, you can select from a list of 20 or so Children's Charities to receive a donation. Our Literacy For Tykes is one of those charities recognized by that site. You have fun reading and writing with your preschooler, or even elementary-school-age child, and other needy children benefit as well.
Another site that gives an added dimension to reading fun online is probably good for 4 yrs and up. It is www.StorylineOnline.net . Screen Actors Guild members such as James Earl Jones, Melissa Gilbert, Robert Guillaume, Caitlin Wachs, and Pamela Reed each read a specific children's book online. I would recommend listening to the story with your child and responding to the story to give your child cues as to meaning.
Your personal input and interaction with your child to help them understand, interpret, and enjoy these experiences are still the key to their benefit. Your enthusiasm is what your child looks for as whether or not this means anything to them.
Also I would again state that these online activities are only meant to compliment years of home reading with you. Your child needs a strong base of experience directly with you, exploring characteristics of picture books together for 20 minutes a day, before he or she will be ready to comprehend language and picture/print symbolism. You are their first interpreter . You are their most important person. They learn from you. In the online experience they learn with you.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Enjoy Picture Books with Children
When children enjoy book-sharing time with you, they develop life-ling learning capacity, good feelings about books and how to treat them. Here are some ways to get the most out of this together time:
- Focus on your child's attention span. At first, a few minutes of book time exploring a picture together builds interest that will grow.
- Children often develop a favorite page or picture. That indicates a growing interest in book fun. That's just what you want to see.
- Let your child set the pace. Early on your child may want to repeat a page, a section, or jump around skipping pages. Perhaps he or she will want to go to a different activity or conversation. Don't be too concerned about how long they remain interested, because you will see their interest increase as they are able.
- It's OK if your child thinks you are "reading the pictures". They are actively trying to make sense out of what you are showing them.
- Clear simple words are easier for a child to mimic and learn. They love to show you they can repeat a sound. They will mimic a sound before they get the meaning.
- Point at the features you are talking about and help your child touch the picture parts you are describing.
- Soon your child may point to the named parts of the picture, as you have earlier shown them to do.
- After many months of "picture reading", your child may notice the printed words. Then you may point to words as you read them, and then point to picture part you just said if child is not doing so.
- Remember your child is still more interested in the pictures and being with you. (Lap-reading or "next-to" reading allows for needed nurturing touch.)
- Let yourself enjoy the pictures and reading together. Then your child will feel that reading is a happy thing to do.
- Look for books that have the basic 8 crayon box colors. By reading daily, your child may learn those color names in time for kindergarten .
- Children come to understand that pictures are symbols for known objects. Also other pictures that show unfamiliar objects can expand your child's ideas and vocabulary.
- Quiet-time sharing books : Children get more out of the experience if you turn off the TV and other distracting sounds. That makes it easier for both of you to focus on your shared together time.
- Though you may start with only a few minutes as attention span allows, gradually increase your daily book time to 20 minutes.
- Before bedtime routine: start with a warm bath, to help your child relax; a favorite book to read together; a drink of water, and a kiss goodnight. This regular routine will help your child feel safe and more relaxed for a good night of sleep (10 hours recommended).
Saturday, November 28, 2009
You Make a Difference Everyday
"You make a difference everyday. You matter. Your life is important," said Dr. Jane Goodall on Bill Moyer's Journal yesterday. Over the years , she has inspired hundreds of "Roots and Shoots Groups" around the world. She encourages young people to do some small thing to help wildlife. She says her belief that every person can and does make a difference in life around them is central to the success of these many groups of young people, and their impact on their local ecosystem.
One group in western United States saw that they could encourage a dried up river to flow again by planting trees on its banks, removing blockages, and reintroduced plants for the fish that had inhabited the stream. Now it is a thriving home for large members of that fish species.
She observes the "peace of the forest" in her years of living in natural settings in Africa where she quietly "encompasses a vague feeling of the universe." She feels that modern humankind has suffered a "disconnect between their intellect and the wisdom of the heart". That disconnect has contributed greatly to the ecological collapse wherein over 7000 species of animals are in danger of extinction now. Though something similar has apparently happened 5 times before in our planets history, she said it is coming on much more rapidly this time due to unwise decisions of continuing depletion of habitats even after seeing dire consequences to animal life.
Dr Goodall has written a book Hope for Animals and their World that is currently available and would make a good read for anyone interested in our planet..
I appreciate her years of expertise and wonderful awareness. Let me quote 2 verses of a poem that Bill Moyer read of hers called..................................... "The Old Wisdom": (by Dr. Jane Goodall)
One group in western United States saw that they could encourage a dried up river to flow again by planting trees on its banks, removing blockages, and reintroduced plants for the fish that had inhabited the stream. Now it is a thriving home for large members of that fish species.
She observes the "peace of the forest" in her years of living in natural settings in Africa where she quietly "encompasses a vague feeling of the universe." She feels that modern humankind has suffered a "disconnect between their intellect and the wisdom of the heart". That disconnect has contributed greatly to the ecological collapse wherein over 7000 species of animals are in danger of extinction now. Though something similar has apparently happened 5 times before in our planets history, she said it is coming on much more rapidly this time due to unwise decisions of continuing depletion of habitats even after seeing dire consequences to animal life.
Dr Goodall has written a book Hope for Animals and their World that is currently available and would make a good read for anyone interested in our planet..
I appreciate her years of expertise and wonderful awareness. Let me quote 2 verses of a poem that Bill Moyer read of hers called..................................... "The Old Wisdom": (by Dr. Jane Goodall)
When the night wind makes pine trees creak,
and pale clouds glide across the dark sky.
Go out, my child, go out and seek
your soul, the eternal I....
Yes. my child, go out into the world. Walk slow
and silent comprehending all, and by and by
Your soul, the universe, will know
itself, the eternal I.
and pale clouds glide across the dark sky.
Go out, my child, go out and seek
your soul, the eternal I....
Yes. my child, go out into the world. Walk slow
and silent comprehending all, and by and by
Your soul, the universe, will know
itself, the eternal I.
Enjoy and take inspiration from her mention of those she calls "Keepers of the Planet" such as Dan Merton of New Zealand, whose efforts brought the Black Robin back from near extinction. Dr. Jane is firm in her belief that if we "Never give Up" we can make a difference in life around us. She has discovered a secret to "Unlock Your Personal Power".
Read her book Hope for Animals and their World and give it as a gift to many. Also read parts of it to your children as part of your daily reading time together.
Read her book Hope for Animals and their World and give it as a gift to many. Also read parts of it to your children as part of your daily reading time together.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Millions of CNN Fans Vote For Teen Education Hero
We give thanks for millions of CNN fans who voted to support Efren Penaflorida as Hero of The Year. This remarkable Filapeno young man has formed www.dynamicteencompany.org with several other teens to create learning carts that they physically push to the many homeless children who live in garbage dumps in the Philippines.
They have one cart for literacy, one cart for games, one cart for computer. When these remarkable teens who managed to get some educational help from a mentor, roll their carts into the dump area, hundreds of little children pour out excitedly.
Efren Penaflorida's comment about education was aimed at "all the children of the world" :
"Embrace learning. Love it, for it will embrace you and love you back, and shall enable you to change your world."
The teens teach what they have learned. Theirs is a power we all have, to share what we know with others. Young Efren winner of the grand prize $100,000 as CNN Hero of the Year 2009, said, "There are many heroes throughout the world of different colors, shapes and sizes. Each person has a hero within. All they have to do is search their hearts and change their world. You are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream"
I would add the Efren has learned the secret of "Unlock Your Personal Power".
I celebrate and give thanks for all the CNN heroes and all the CNN fans who recognized the exceptionally clear and bright shining light of Hero Efren Penaflorida. He is a good role model for us all.
They have one cart for literacy, one cart for games, one cart for computer. When these remarkable teens who managed to get some educational help from a mentor, roll their carts into the dump area, hundreds of little children pour out excitedly.
Efren Penaflorida's comment about education was aimed at "all the children of the world" :
"Embrace learning. Love it, for it will embrace you and love you back, and shall enable you to change your world."
The teens teach what they have learned. Theirs is a power we all have, to share what we know with others. Young Efren winner of the grand prize $100,000 as CNN Hero of the Year 2009, said, "There are many heroes throughout the world of different colors, shapes and sizes. Each person has a hero within. All they have to do is search their hearts and change their world. You are the change that you dream, as I am the change that I dream"
I would add the Efren has learned the secret of "Unlock Your Personal Power".
I celebrate and give thanks for all the CNN heroes and all the CNN fans who recognized the exceptionally clear and bright shining light of Hero Efren Penaflorida. He is a good role model for us all.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Where Do You Put Your Money: Facts or Fiction??
The past weekend, "we the people" spent over $142,000,000 on fiction , while the factually needy go begging. A grant website for children's organizations received over 3,000 requests for real life children's needs from nonprofits who are not getting enough funding from "we the people". You might say this is to be expected in these hard financial times. I would have agreed, until my favorite talk show hosts pointed out that "we the people" found an enormous amount of cash to belch out at the movie theaters in just one weekend: $142,000,000. Those zeros stand for something, an enormous escapism from real life needs.
My hat's off to the website trying to award money to real children's needs, but how derailed are "we the people" from these issues? I understand that this movie was aimed at the immature adolescents and that part in all the many older adults who also laid down the cash to see the young hunks rescue the love-sick skinny girl with great eyes. I understand the longing for romance and adventure in times when its even hard to find a job at a fast food restaurant.
As I heard Arne Duncan Education Secretary on our president's cabinet proclaim clearly that "we the people" are in an educational crisis with 1,200,000 high school kids dropping out every year, the plot thickened. During brief CNN coverage, Arne said every year over 30% of our teens drop out of high school, and are therefore " condemned to poverty and social failure".
Was it the good students, the 70% who stay in school who went in droves to see the vampires/ werewolf movie? Where did these teens get the money? How did so many parents have enough money for allowances to add up to $142,000,000 in a few days time? I thought teens were having a hard time finding work. I thought parents were having a hard time keeping a job.
Apparently there is more discretionary money out there in the pockets of America than we are being told. Then it is a question of where we put our money. Parents want to give a special treat to their good kids and fork over the cash. I suspect many parents and other adults got pulled into the curious fantasy world whirlwind as well.
Bottom Line : "We the people" have choices.
Challenge: instead of paying to see this same fantasy movie a second time, if "we the people" would take that same $10 (or a matching $10 if you must go to the movie) and give it to a needy Headstart for poverty level children, State-Funded Pre-Kindergarten for low income, Healthy Family for first time at-risk families, Infant & Toddler Connection for families of children with special needs, or even our group, Literacy for Tykes, who serves all the above groups, much real life need could be relieved . Many real life children could have brighter futures. "We the people" could turn around the ever-growing dropout rate within 15 years.
My hat's off to the website trying to award money to real children's needs, but how derailed are "we the people" from these issues? I understand that this movie was aimed at the immature adolescents and that part in all the many older adults who also laid down the cash to see the young hunks rescue the love-sick skinny girl with great eyes. I understand the longing for romance and adventure in times when its even hard to find a job at a fast food restaurant.
As I heard Arne Duncan Education Secretary on our president's cabinet proclaim clearly that "we the people" are in an educational crisis with 1,200,000 high school kids dropping out every year, the plot thickened. During brief CNN coverage, Arne said every year over 30% of our teens drop out of high school, and are therefore " condemned to poverty and social failure".
Was it the good students, the 70% who stay in school who went in droves to see the vampires/ werewolf movie? Where did these teens get the money? How did so many parents have enough money for allowances to add up to $142,000,000 in a few days time? I thought teens were having a hard time finding work. I thought parents were having a hard time keeping a job.
Apparently there is more discretionary money out there in the pockets of America than we are being told. Then it is a question of where we put our money. Parents want to give a special treat to their good kids and fork over the cash. I suspect many parents and other adults got pulled into the curious fantasy world whirlwind as well.
Bottom Line : "We the people" have choices.
Challenge: instead of paying to see this same fantasy movie a second time, if "we the people" would take that same $10 (or a matching $10 if you must go to the movie) and give it to a needy Headstart for poverty level children, State-Funded Pre-Kindergarten for low income, Healthy Family for first time at-risk families, Infant & Toddler Connection for families of children with special needs, or even our group, Literacy for Tykes, who serves all the above groups, much real life need could be relieved . Many real life children could have brighter futures. "We the people" could turn around the ever-growing dropout rate within 15 years.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
There is a Middle Path in Parenting
There is a middle path in parenting, nurturing, caring, and interest in who your child is.
Recently Karen Nemeth, EdM brought to my attention via twitter that parents are paying big money for tutors for their pre kindergartners, to help them ace the test to get into gifted level kindergarten in NYC. I realize the overcrowded population levels in that Metro Island brings out a competitor attitude, but tutors for K entrance placement is extreme. It speaks more about distortion of parental values than anything I have heard in recent years. I understand that many parents get over-zealous , trying to push their "Little Me"s into ever greater achievements. The stats show at least 20% of birth to 5 yr parents have gone way beyond encouraging their child into gathering feathers for their own caps.
On the other extreme, about 50% of birth to 5 Yr parents all not even reading to their children, no books in the home suitable for children at all. Some of these parents are very high tech people that think books at outdated. Others of these parents are not confident as educating their child and hope that when their children hit Kindergarten they will get all they need at school. Others are too preoccupied with working for basic necessities, or their own personal dramas to notice. Some just don't understand how important they are to their early child.
I suggest there is a middle path that perhaps 30% of parents are successfully navigating. They are happy to take some time , reading with their child (even just 20 minutes a day). They know their child develops most of his or her lifelong learning skills capacity by age 3yrs. They know that everyday experiences shared and talked about with their little one, open up and shape their child's view of life, love and learning. They actually find that time spent in reading together, and other activities is a great enjoyable dynamic in their own lives.
I'm asking those who have not known about this middle path to take a look. If you are not confident about how to share a children's picture book with your early child look at amazon.com listing of my book Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures, with step-by-step guidelines to do just that, as well as beautiful art work by Delia Bowman Wach.
If you would like a copy of my free guidelines "Enjoy Books With Children" email me at info@LiteracyForTykes.com .
If you are over-fixated on your own golden child, relax and send a little of those dollars to www.LiteracyForTykes.com to benefit the underprivileged children to keep from being at-risk-to fail.
The main thing is enjoy the wonderful opportunity you have to share whatever time you have each day with the most important persons in your life, your early children.
Recently Karen Nemeth, EdM brought to my attention via twitter that parents are paying big money for tutors for their pre kindergartners, to help them ace the test to get into gifted level kindergarten in NYC. I realize the overcrowded population levels in that Metro Island brings out a competitor attitude, but tutors for K entrance placement is extreme. It speaks more about distortion of parental values than anything I have heard in recent years. I understand that many parents get over-zealous , trying to push their "Little Me"s into ever greater achievements. The stats show at least 20% of birth to 5 yr parents have gone way beyond encouraging their child into gathering feathers for their own caps.
On the other extreme, about 50% of birth to 5 Yr parents all not even reading to their children, no books in the home suitable for children at all. Some of these parents are very high tech people that think books at outdated. Others of these parents are not confident as educating their child and hope that when their children hit Kindergarten they will get all they need at school. Others are too preoccupied with working for basic necessities, or their own personal dramas to notice. Some just don't understand how important they are to their early child.
I suggest there is a middle path that perhaps 30% of parents are successfully navigating. They are happy to take some time , reading with their child (even just 20 minutes a day). They know their child develops most of his or her lifelong learning skills capacity by age 3yrs. They know that everyday experiences shared and talked about with their little one, open up and shape their child's view of life, love and learning. They actually find that time spent in reading together, and other activities is a great enjoyable dynamic in their own lives.
I'm asking those who have not known about this middle path to take a look. If you are not confident about how to share a children's picture book with your early child look at amazon.com listing of my book Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures, with step-by-step guidelines to do just that, as well as beautiful art work by Delia Bowman Wach.
If you would like a copy of my free guidelines "Enjoy Books With Children" email me at info@LiteracyForTykes.com .
If you are over-fixated on your own golden child, relax and send a little of those dollars to www.LiteracyForTykes.com to benefit the underprivileged children to keep from being at-risk-to fail.
The main thing is enjoy the wonderful opportunity you have to share whatever time you have each day with the most important persons in your life, your early children.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Where is the Light of Learning
Where is the light of learning
By which mankind survives?
We can have the light of learning
When we touch each other's lives.
With simple acts of sharing
Keep learning ties well knit;
And give our time in caring
To keep each lamp well lit.
Where is the light of learning
By which mankind survives?
We can have the light of learning
When we touch each other's lives.
-song/poem copyright 2008 Nancy J. Cloyd
By which mankind survives?
We can have the light of learning
When we touch each other's lives.
With simple acts of sharing
Keep learning ties well knit;
And give our time in caring
To keep each lamp well lit.
Where is the light of learning
By which mankind survives?
We can have the light of learning
When we touch each other's lives.
-song/poem copyright 2008 Nancy J. Cloyd
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tips: Early Child Literacy & Language Development - Part Three
Literacy and language development is , when all goes well, a building process. What is learned on day can be built upon possibly as soon a the next day.
After the fourth birthday, favorite books are a great place to go one step futher than before. Continue pointing at the printed words as you say them. Four year olds start getting the idea that you are reading the print. Once you see that awareness you can even mention how "m" sounds, and other specific letter sounds.
It's good to start with the beginning sounds like "C" "Cat", "T" "Teddy", "B" Bear". Children are very proud of catching on to new "secrets" about favorite books.
Also discuss color names when reading a book, dressing your child, or looking at a television show together. "Big Bird is yellow"; "Grover is blue"; "The Teddy Bear is brown". Kindergarten teachers evaluate your child as to whether they can identify the 8 colors in the basic crayon box to determine readiness.
When it's time to put away the toys, help your child. She or he will do much better knowing the order you think things should go in. Remember the mimicking tendency is still the best way a child learns. Model exactly where you like things to go. Talk about why certain things go in a certain order. If your child has a strong preference about a particular favorite item, discuss it. Listen and if you can live with his or her idea, compromise. They do love to feel you are listening, and that their opinion counts for something. Of course , you are the boss, but hopefully a benevolent dictator. (Red Flag:autistic children may line up everything compulsively.)
When talking with your four year old, be sure to introduce new words that are relevant to your child. "Be well rested" can go along with "Then you'll have lots of energy". You might chose a new book that has a few new words or discuss a favorite book using a few additional words that are new. If your child is not yet in a classroom setting, get a book about being in kindergarten.
Putting away groceries is a great time to introduce categorizing to your child. "Put all the cans in here". This age is also a good time to give 2 simple directions at a time like: "Put your jacket on the chair and then put all the cans in this cupboard". Of course the cupboard would have to be within the child's reach.
Following 2 simple directions is one of the things that kindergarten screening looks at to see if your child is ready.
Board games are a great way to help your child get used to following simple directions.
After the fourth birthday, favorite books are a great place to go one step futher than before. Continue pointing at the printed words as you say them. Four year olds start getting the idea that you are reading the print. Once you see that awareness you can even mention how "m" sounds, and other specific letter sounds.
It's good to start with the beginning sounds like "C" "Cat", "T" "Teddy", "B" Bear". Children are very proud of catching on to new "secrets" about favorite books.
Also discuss color names when reading a book, dressing your child, or looking at a television show together. "Big Bird is yellow"; "Grover is blue"; "The Teddy Bear is brown". Kindergarten teachers evaluate your child as to whether they can identify the 8 colors in the basic crayon box to determine readiness.
When it's time to put away the toys, help your child. She or he will do much better knowing the order you think things should go in. Remember the mimicking tendency is still the best way a child learns. Model exactly where you like things to go. Talk about why certain things go in a certain order. If your child has a strong preference about a particular favorite item, discuss it. Listen and if you can live with his or her idea, compromise. They do love to feel you are listening, and that their opinion counts for something. Of course , you are the boss, but hopefully a benevolent dictator. (Red Flag:autistic children may line up everything compulsively.)
When talking with your four year old, be sure to introduce new words that are relevant to your child. "Be well rested" can go along with "Then you'll have lots of energy". You might chose a new book that has a few new words or discuss a favorite book using a few additional words that are new. If your child is not yet in a classroom setting, get a book about being in kindergarten.
Putting away groceries is a great time to introduce categorizing to your child. "Put all the cans in here". This age is also a good time to give 2 simple directions at a time like: "Put your jacket on the chair and then put all the cans in this cupboard". Of course the cupboard would have to be within the child's reach.
Following 2 simple directions is one of the things that kindergarten screening looks at to see if your child is ready.
Board games are a great way to help your child get used to following simple directions.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tips: Early Child Literacy & Language Development - Part Two
Literacy and language development is unique to each child. These tips are general guidelines. Some children will proceed at different rates than others. Some will reverse this pattern or do it differently. Others who have not been exposed to the opportunities we outlined in our tips for birth through three years old, may still need those experiences before they can progress onto the stages we outline today. Literacy and language development is a growth process, in which the early building blocks need to come before the later building blocks. When in doubt start with the early ideas and activities mentioned in yesterdays blog and see if your child responds well to those. If they are very easy, build upon them with today's ideas and tips for children .
After their third birthday, talking to your child about the events of the day is important. We do not suggest an inquisition style, so questions that can be simply answered yes or no are not the point. Since the idea is to stimulate your child's use of language, ask him or her leading questions, like what did you like best in that book?
Reading books together is still an important part of your day, or evening. The together time spent lap reading, or "right-next-to" reading, continues to offer the close cuddling that nurtures your child in a reading situation. This gives positive feelings about the world of books that will carry with your child for a lifetime. If your child has a favorite book or two, see how much more he or she is able to relate to the pictures and possibly tell you the names and make the sounds and tell you the simple sentences from memory. This would be a good time for you to point to the printed words as you say them. This gives your three year old a clue that the print has something to do with the sounds(words)you make as well as the pictures they describe.
At this stage, children often like to pretend that they are cooking, exercising, making houses out of blocks, or boxes. Using assorted large colored squares of cloth, they can pretend to be in various costumes like, you or the mailman, the doctor, someone in fancy clothes.
Since your child is attempting to speak more words everyday,encourage them to pronounce their words more clearly. You can lovingly say "Mommy's having a hard time hearing your words. Can you say that again, please?"
Enjoy your child. He or she is unfolding in their own special way. This is a tender age and the ideal time to share enthusiasm for life, and experiencing new things each day, as well as continuing favorite things, books, activities.
Tomorrow we'll continue with "After their fourth birthday..."
After their third birthday, talking to your child about the events of the day is important. We do not suggest an inquisition style, so questions that can be simply answered yes or no are not the point. Since the idea is to stimulate your child's use of language, ask him or her leading questions, like what did you like best in that book?
Reading books together is still an important part of your day, or evening. The together time spent lap reading, or "right-next-to" reading, continues to offer the close cuddling that nurtures your child in a reading situation. This gives positive feelings about the world of books that will carry with your child for a lifetime. If your child has a favorite book or two, see how much more he or she is able to relate to the pictures and possibly tell you the names and make the sounds and tell you the simple sentences from memory. This would be a good time for you to point to the printed words as you say them. This gives your three year old a clue that the print has something to do with the sounds(words)you make as well as the pictures they describe.
At this stage, children often like to pretend that they are cooking, exercising, making houses out of blocks, or boxes. Using assorted large colored squares of cloth, they can pretend to be in various costumes like, you or the mailman, the doctor, someone in fancy clothes.
Since your child is attempting to speak more words everyday,encourage them to pronounce their words more clearly. You can lovingly say "Mommy's having a hard time hearing your words. Can you say that again, please?"
Enjoy your child. He or she is unfolding in their own special way. This is a tender age and the ideal time to share enthusiasm for life, and experiencing new things each day, as well as continuing favorite things, books, activities.
Tomorrow we'll continue with "After their fourth birthday..."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tips: Early Child Literacy & Language Development
Tips for early child literacy and language development vary by your child's age and stage. Some children are consistenet or 'typical' developers; others start somewhat typically, but can alter their course by age 2 years or so. See www.firstsigns.org for in depth discussion of the need to observe for reversals of language and communication development.
These tips are helpful for typical (and several variations on typical) development.
In your child's first year: read a simple picture book to them daily; be sure to cuddle and lap-read since loving touch is so important for thriving; when animals appear in the book teach your baby to make the animal sounds; while making eye contact, imitate the sounds that your baby makes; talk describing what you're doing to your baby if you are within visual range of each other; play peek-a-boo and other games involving your baby's senses; if your baby does not seem to respond to you, have their hearing checked.
Babies love to mimic sounds and their sense of language is encouraged when you mimic their sounds. All of this interaction is only possible if their hearing and vision are functioning properly. When in doubt, have it checked out.
After their first birthday: naming objects in their day and naming objects represented as pictures in their books is important. They start to get it when you consistently call an object by the same name. Pointing at their nose, ears, mouth etc, and pointing to your same body parts is important. Also extend that by pointing at all the noses, ears and mouths represented in picture books. They are able to begin understanding the meaning of the sounds you consistently repeat through the day. Help them point to picture parts you are describing and they will start pointing themselves, as you read the same books to them each day. They thrive on repetition.
At this point, its a good time to give your child one simple direction at a time."Show me your nose" -or- "Look at Mommy".
After their second birthday: They will begin to pick up on the idea of simple sentences you say frequently and consistently; favorite books with simple sentences become something they repeat; they start to understand that words (sounds) can be strung together, for specific meanings. "The cat is big"."Touch your nose", "I'll change your diaper now." "Food is coming." Gradually they get the meanings and learn to say the words at the appropriate times. "The ball is big"
Labeling things in their everyday life is helpful, when you say the label each time. They still may be relying on verbal cues, more than the actual printed letters, but this starts a process of print recognition. Labeling pictures of loved ones, and saying the names is helpful. Remember they love to hear you sing simple songs.
Tomorrow we talk about after their third and fourth birthdays.
These tips are helpful for typical (and several variations on typical) development.
In your child's first year: read a simple picture book to them daily; be sure to cuddle and lap-read since loving touch is so important for thriving; when animals appear in the book teach your baby to make the animal sounds; while making eye contact, imitate the sounds that your baby makes; talk describing what you're doing to your baby if you are within visual range of each other; play peek-a-boo and other games involving your baby's senses; if your baby does not seem to respond to you, have their hearing checked.
Babies love to mimic sounds and their sense of language is encouraged when you mimic their sounds. All of this interaction is only possible if their hearing and vision are functioning properly. When in doubt, have it checked out.
After their first birthday: naming objects in their day and naming objects represented as pictures in their books is important. They start to get it when you consistently call an object by the same name. Pointing at their nose, ears, mouth etc, and pointing to your same body parts is important. Also extend that by pointing at all the noses, ears and mouths represented in picture books. They are able to begin understanding the meaning of the sounds you consistently repeat through the day. Help them point to picture parts you are describing and they will start pointing themselves, as you read the same books to them each day. They thrive on repetition.
At this point, its a good time to give your child one simple direction at a time."Show me your nose" -or- "Look at Mommy".
After their second birthday: They will begin to pick up on the idea of simple sentences you say frequently and consistently; favorite books with simple sentences become something they repeat; they start to understand that words (sounds) can be strung together, for specific meanings. "The cat is big"."Touch your nose", "I'll change your diaper now." "Food is coming." Gradually they get the meanings and learn to say the words at the appropriate times. "The ball is big"
Labeling things in their everyday life is helpful, when you say the label each time. They still may be relying on verbal cues, more than the actual printed letters, but this starts a process of print recognition. Labeling pictures of loved ones, and saying the names is helpful. Remember they love to hear you sing simple songs.
Tomorrow we talk about after their third and fourth birthdays.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Visual Literacy
Literacy is awareness that leads to reading and writing skills.
Visual Literacy is the beginning stage of becoming literate.Infants and toddlers completely depend on adults and older reading children for clues along the literacy journey. They learn especially well from someone they trust.
Toddlers learn that pictures are symbols for real life objects.
Flat images as in picture books are ideal for toddlers to learn about symbols.The adult care giver or parent reading the pictures to a toddler gives him or her clues as to what the image represents. Thus the toddler learns that the pictures are symbols for real life objects.Later they can understand that some images are representing imaginary objects.
Toddlers learn that certain sounds go with certain pictures (symbols).Written words are not significant to toddlers.
They hear the sounds you say and gradually learn that certain sounds or words are said in association with certain pictures.They think you are reading the pictures. Print means nothing to them initially. Only later do they understand, the sounds you make are associated with print.
Toddlers learn that books are different from other objects.They learn books are not toys; we don’t build towers with them.They learn that books are not food; we don’t eat them.By regularly reading with toddlers they learn that books are for reading.They also learn how to handle a book by your example. You are modeling to them all the clues they need to navigate the world of books: proper care of books, how to turn the page; read them from front to back.Eventually as they can relate to print they see how you read from left to right.
For a book that pursues this topic in greater detail see: Young Children and Picture Books, Mary Renck Jalongo, published by NAEYC.
Visual Literacy is the beginning stage of becoming literate.Infants and toddlers completely depend on adults and older reading children for clues along the literacy journey. They learn especially well from someone they trust.
Toddlers learn that pictures are symbols for real life objects.
Flat images as in picture books are ideal for toddlers to learn about symbols.The adult care giver or parent reading the pictures to a toddler gives him or her clues as to what the image represents. Thus the toddler learns that the pictures are symbols for real life objects.Later they can understand that some images are representing imaginary objects.
Toddlers learn that certain sounds go with certain pictures (symbols).Written words are not significant to toddlers.
They hear the sounds you say and gradually learn that certain sounds or words are said in association with certain pictures.They think you are reading the pictures. Print means nothing to them initially. Only later do they understand, the sounds you make are associated with print.
Toddlers learn that books are different from other objects.They learn books are not toys; we don’t build towers with them.They learn that books are not food; we don’t eat them.By regularly reading with toddlers they learn that books are for reading.They also learn how to handle a book by your example. You are modeling to them all the clues they need to navigate the world of books: proper care of books, how to turn the page; read them from front to back.Eventually as they can relate to print they see how you read from left to right.
For a book that pursues this topic in greater detail see: Young Children and Picture Books, Mary Renck Jalongo, published by NAEYC.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Many Ways to Help Early Child Development
Many are putting forth good effort and information to help in the early child development crisis. Since researchers trying to discover the root cause of the high percentage of High School Dropouts have traced it all back to early child development, many organizations are putting a major effort into meeting those early needs. Pre-School for everyone is an interesting approach, though not currently economically feasible. Most children do not attend pre-school at this time. For every child in Headstart for poverty level and State funded Pre-k for low income there are probably 8 children who are not in any organized day care setting.
One grass roots attempt to better the picture is admirable Home Schooling that can start at whatever age the parent chooses, certainly by age 4 years. There are many sources of well-thought-out resources for moms and dads who are committed to providing a great education at home. Also there are organizations dedicated to offering better information to home-based day care providers, as well as center based ones. These groups, such as NAEYC provide regular training and resource information to those who seek to better what they are offering .
Still we see high % of children entering Kindergarten without the most essential building blocks of literacy and school readiness. In an effort to reach some of these children, SECA has made available a series of age appropriate books through pediatricians that are freely given to parents on well baby (child) check-ups, benefit- ting the segment of families who seek regular medical consultation.
Another issue, that is receiving some attention recently, is that various of the well established early child educational organizations do not have the resources they need to do all they would like. Leaders of many such groups have said they would love to have a book to give to every parent of every child so they could read to their child in the home. Most agree that parent/ child lap reading is the most effective way to compliment what they can do in a group setting. Most will also say that there are no books in the homes of the families they serve. Most will go on to make clear that the parents they serve do not read to the children at home.
This is where Literacy for Tykes came into the early child literacy crisis. Leaders we asked knew exactly how many families they served that could benefit from a children's picture book. When they saw award-winning Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures they thought the step-by-step parent guidelines were perfect for encouraging their parents. No funding available inspired me to give up my rights to author's royalties and form a nonprofit organization with several other educators and concerned professionals.Now as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, our plea for tax-deductible donations goes out to all who will listen. We have received a one-time grant from Target that got our first Phase of Early Child Literacy Partnership with several organizations on our long list going. We have just scratched the surface of the need , even just in our portion of our state of Virginia. Blooming where we are planted , we hope to serve the largely rural area of Heartland Virginia, counties clustered around organizational centers in Farmville, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. The statistics from other states indicate this early child literacy crisis is nationwide. We will do what we can for as many as possible as funds allow.
Next week I will write about a new way that without directly donating you can all help us get a grant.
One grass roots attempt to better the picture is admirable Home Schooling that can start at whatever age the parent chooses, certainly by age 4 years. There are many sources of well-thought-out resources for moms and dads who are committed to providing a great education at home. Also there are organizations dedicated to offering better information to home-based day care providers, as well as center based ones. These groups, such as NAEYC provide regular training and resource information to those who seek to better what they are offering .
Still we see high % of children entering Kindergarten without the most essential building blocks of literacy and school readiness. In an effort to reach some of these children, SECA has made available a series of age appropriate books through pediatricians that are freely given to parents on well baby (child) check-ups, benefit- ting the segment of families who seek regular medical consultation.
Another issue, that is receiving some attention recently, is that various of the well established early child educational organizations do not have the resources they need to do all they would like. Leaders of many such groups have said they would love to have a book to give to every parent of every child so they could read to their child in the home. Most agree that parent/ child lap reading is the most effective way to compliment what they can do in a group setting. Most will also say that there are no books in the homes of the families they serve. Most will go on to make clear that the parents they serve do not read to the children at home.
This is where Literacy for Tykes came into the early child literacy crisis. Leaders we asked knew exactly how many families they served that could benefit from a children's picture book. When they saw award-winning Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures they thought the step-by-step parent guidelines were perfect for encouraging their parents. No funding available inspired me to give up my rights to author's royalties and form a nonprofit organization with several other educators and concerned professionals.Now as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, our plea for tax-deductible donations goes out to all who will listen. We have received a one-time grant from Target that got our first Phase of Early Child Literacy Partnership with several organizations on our long list going. We have just scratched the surface of the need , even just in our portion of our state of Virginia. Blooming where we are planted , we hope to serve the largely rural area of Heartland Virginia, counties clustered around organizational centers in Farmville, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. The statistics from other states indicate this early child literacy crisis is nationwide. We will do what we can for as many as possible as funds allow.
Next week I will write about a new way that without directly donating you can all help us get a grant.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What About USA Kids Without Books?
What is it like for a 5-year-old child to enter kindergarten with no familiarity with books, flat images or literacy? What if that child cannot even follow simple 2-part directions? What if color names had never been mentioned to this child?
They would feel like they don't belong. They would feel dumb compared to the other children. They would suffer the same "classroom battering" reported to occur with learning disabled children. As a matter of fact, they could be defined as learning disabled because of social circumstances.
Researchers could go to their homes and find no books suitable for young children. The researchers would find that their parents were so busy keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads that they never even thought about reading to their child. Many parents might say they were never read to when they were children. Others might say that they don't feel qualified to teach their own child, so they didn't try. Another might just be too into his own despair as unemployed; or an overburdened single mom trying to do it all by herself.
In these situations, the children never feel they can make it at school. They never catch up with the more literate agemates. They drop out of high school. Jobs require High School Diplomas. they will be more likely to become outlaw entrepreneurs, or unwed teenage moms needing financial aid to exist.
No one wants these outcomes for their own child or anyone else s child. Yet over 50% of entering Kindergarteners in USA today are in this at-risk-to-fail category. See tomorrow's blog for an effort to help.
They would feel like they don't belong. They would feel dumb compared to the other children. They would suffer the same "classroom battering" reported to occur with learning disabled children. As a matter of fact, they could be defined as learning disabled because of social circumstances.
Researchers could go to their homes and find no books suitable for young children. The researchers would find that their parents were so busy keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads that they never even thought about reading to their child. Many parents might say they were never read to when they were children. Others might say that they don't feel qualified to teach their own child, so they didn't try. Another might just be too into his own despair as unemployed; or an overburdened single mom trying to do it all by herself.
In these situations, the children never feel they can make it at school. They never catch up with the more literate agemates. They drop out of high school. Jobs require High School Diplomas. they will be more likely to become outlaw entrepreneurs, or unwed teenage moms needing financial aid to exist.
No one wants these outcomes for their own child or anyone else s child. Yet over 50% of entering Kindergarteners in USA today are in this at-risk-to-fail category. See tomorrow's blog for an effort to help.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Help Your Child Feel Worthwhile
"Worth while" means "worth" your "while", your time spent (as in "stay a while").
You can help your child feel worthwhile, worth your time.
It only takes spending time focused on the needs of your child.
Through meeting their basic physical and emotional needs, a positive attachment has formed between you. Its like an energetic umbilical cord through which all feeding occurs, including direct learning of who they are to you.
In your busy day, I ask you to simply set aside a few moments: find a quiet spot with few distractions; hold your child or take their hand lovingly; make eye contact. This lets them know you really are interested in them. You really are wanting to be with them. You really are spending time focused on them.
This focused attention is a lovely place in which you can share and learn more about each other. Give your child a chance to let you know what's on their minds. (I use a plural choice of words because I am addressing many parents, however this is meant to be a time for you and only one of your children at a time, if you happen to have several.) It may last only briefly, but the energetic interchange will stay with you both forever, as a building of greater positive awareness of each other.
This same idea can be a fruitful and positive dynamic in any relationship, especially parent /child. Try it.
You can help your child feel worthwhile, worth your time.
It only takes spending time focused on the needs of your child.
Through meeting their basic physical and emotional needs, a positive attachment has formed between you. Its like an energetic umbilical cord through which all feeding occurs, including direct learning of who they are to you.
In your busy day, I ask you to simply set aside a few moments: find a quiet spot with few distractions; hold your child or take their hand lovingly; make eye contact. This lets them know you really are interested in them. You really are wanting to be with them. You really are spending time focused on them.
This focused attention is a lovely place in which you can share and learn more about each other. Give your child a chance to let you know what's on their minds. (I use a plural choice of words because I am addressing many parents, however this is meant to be a time for you and only one of your children at a time, if you happen to have several.) It may last only briefly, but the energetic interchange will stay with you both forever, as a building of greater positive awareness of each other.
This same idea can be a fruitful and positive dynamic in any relationship, especially parent /child. Try it.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Parents: You are in Best Position to Show Your Child Books
Parents, you are in the best postion to share the world of books with your child, whether you feel qualified or not. You may say that you are not an educator, or, that you do not know how to teach your child to read.
Children learn what you do with them and around them. They copy cat everything you do , because they trust you with their lives, they want to be like you.
Here are some guidelines:
Quiet possible distractions (music, TV, Computer).
Sit with your child on your lap or right next to you.
Find a simple picture book (An example is Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures available amazon.com).
Read the pictures. Talk to your child about what you see in the picture, pointing to the parts, or helping your child to point to each part you name.
Use simple words they can mimic. Children love to mimic sounds. Name animals, make their sounds.
If you point at and name an ear in the picture, then point at and name your child's ear .
Mention color names. First they will mimic the sound, associate with the picture, and later they will be able to get the meaning.
It's a process. Get into it; Enjoy it.
This is all you need to do. Repeat this quiet book time together everyday for 20 minutes (or working up to those goals as much as possible) and your child will develop learning skills and be more confident when he gets into a classroom situation.
You can be refreshed by this break from your usual concerns, and your child will love this together time.
Children learn what you do with them and around them. They copy cat everything you do , because they trust you with their lives, they want to be like you.
Here are some guidelines:
Quiet possible distractions (music, TV, Computer).
Sit with your child on your lap or right next to you.
Find a simple picture book (An example is Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures available amazon.com).
Read the pictures. Talk to your child about what you see in the picture, pointing to the parts, or helping your child to point to each part you name.
Use simple words they can mimic. Children love to mimic sounds. Name animals, make their sounds.
If you point at and name an ear in the picture, then point at and name your child's ear .
Mention color names. First they will mimic the sound, associate with the picture, and later they will be able to get the meaning.
It's a process. Get into it; Enjoy it.
This is all you need to do. Repeat this quiet book time together everyday for 20 minutes (or working up to those goals as much as possible) and your child will develop learning skills and be more confident when he gets into a classroom situation.
You can be refreshed by this break from your usual concerns, and your child will love this together time.
Monday, November 9, 2009
"Parents have Really Appreciated the Books"
I just received a letter from Infant & Toddler Connection's director. She stated that "The books have been wonderful and the parents have really appreciated them." Due to a one-time grant from Target, Literacy for Tykes was able to give ITC enough copies of Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures for about half of their caseload of families with children with special needs, ages birth to three years. I first dedicated the book to one of my grandsons who was at the stage when he could be introduced to the world of books. It is beautifully illustrated by Delia Bowman Wach. We purposefully only have one illustration that can be seen at a time to eliminate visual distractions. Each pair of pages are the picture on the right page and "Parent Points" on the left facing page. Step-by-step clear guidelines for sharing the characteristics of the picture with their child make it easy to do.
As author, I am very happy to hear that parents are enjoying the reading experience of this book. It can be shared daily . Kids love repetition. Working up to 20 minutes a day is a great way to help any young child build lifelong learning skills and confidence for the future, as well as a love of reading. The secret ingredient is the parents' enthusiasm.
As author, I am very happy to hear that parents are enjoying the reading experience of this book. It can be shared daily . Kids love repetition. Working up to 20 minutes a day is a great way to help any young child build lifelong learning skills and confidence for the future, as well as a love of reading. The secret ingredient is the parents' enthusiasm.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Enjoy a Walk in Crunchy Autumn Leaves
Enjoy a walk in crunchy autumn leaves with your children. Take some colorful ones home and press them between two pieces of wax paper, or put them between 2 layers of clear contact paper, or just glue them to construction paper. You can also have fun tracing their shapes with a crayon. Then read about the crunch of Autumn leaves in one of several books at a quiet time before bed later on. Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures has a beautiful autumn leaf in it illustrated by Delia Bowman Wach. Lots of colors, and an interesting shape to finger trace with your child.
Enjoy exploring life together.
Enjoy exploring life together.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Great New Parent Role Models Sarah Michelle Gellar and FPJ
It has been worth the wait to see such a beautiful article about two new parents with great attitude. Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy to her fans) and her hubby of 7 years are featured by People Mag November 16 edition, now out on newsstands. Their precious baby Charlotte Grace has certainly come to a home full of love. "We have a lot of love here, and for me that's what family is all about,"says dad Freddie Prinze Jr.
Sarah Michelle Gellar says " We're just taking one day at a time...She's the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me, and I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to do right by her."
They have great commitment to their new baby and I am sure they will start reading to her now with little picture books and talk about the pictures to her. That is the first building block of early child literacy.
Sarah Michelle Gellar says " We're just taking one day at a time...She's the greatest gift that anyone has ever given me, and I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to do right by her."
They have great commitment to their new baby and I am sure they will start reading to her now with little picture books and talk about the pictures to her. That is the first building block of early child literacy.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Cudos to People Mag : Celebs who read to their Early Child
Jessica Alba "I read everything to (toddler Honor) her". Ana Ortiz was given 40 books by America Ferrara baby gift for little Paloma. Both women "Are voracious readers: we're always exchanging books." America said, "we have to make her a reader like we are." One favorite is a story about a teddy bear Corduroy. "Read it-it's fabulous," said Ortiz. Alba especially likes Goodnight Moon to read to her toddler.
Literacy for Tykes is very glad to see People Magazine (Oct 5 Books Section) feature good role models for young parents. Most young parents know Jessica and Ana from their acting careers. All of us have personal power to communicate positive suggestions to others. Young parents can see that they can have enjoyable time reading with their young children. In this way they can greatly influence their child's literacy development, so that they become more confident by time they reach kindergarten.
Send for your copy of "Enjoy Books with Children" see www.Literacy For Tykes.com for instructions.
Literacy for Tykes is very glad to see People Magazine (Oct 5 Books Section) feature good role models for young parents. Most young parents know Jessica and Ana from their acting careers. All of us have personal power to communicate positive suggestions to others. Young parents can see that they can have enjoyable time reading with their young children. In this way they can greatly influence their child's literacy development, so that they become more confident by time they reach kindergarten.
Send for your copy of "Enjoy Books with Children" see www.Literacy For Tykes.com for instructions.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Phase One Early Child Literacy Partnership Completed
During Phase One of Early Child Literacy Partnership, "Books for Families" Target helped Literacy for Tykes to provide books and materials with specific step-by-step guidelines to parents on how to share characteristics of each art illustration ( done by highly esteemed children's picture book artist Delia Bowman Wach) with their early child.
This necessary first step to establishing lifelong learning/ literacy skills is called Visual Literacy. Ideally all children have a chance to experience lap reading with their trusted adult (parent) between the ages of birth through three years old. If they have not had that important book sharing with their parents in that period then age four is still in time to help them catch up before entering Kindergarten. Without this early literacy experience, 50% of children entering kindergarten are at-risk to fail, stay 2 years behind their age mates throughout school and eventually dropout of high school before graduation according to Southern Early Child Association (SECA), often ending up in prison.
These agencies were given books and materials in Phase One of this Partnership for Early Child Literacy, "Books for Families" :
Piedmont Healthy Families serving 7 counties of Heartland Virginia;
Infant and Toddler Connection of the Heartland 7 counties (first half of their caseload);
Buckingham County Social Services, Family Visitors.
Gold Hills Elementary, Early Child Special Education. ( a few sample books).
These organizations are highly dedicated professionals giving ongoing service to families in need. They note that prior to this intervention "These families often have no books in the home".
Literacy for Tykes is grateful to Target for their very special one-time grant recognizing the need to help strengthen these families and give their children a better chance for a brighter future.
This necessary first step to establishing lifelong learning/ literacy skills is called Visual Literacy. Ideally all children have a chance to experience lap reading with their trusted adult (parent) between the ages of birth through three years old. If they have not had that important book sharing with their parents in that period then age four is still in time to help them catch up before entering Kindergarten. Without this early literacy experience, 50% of children entering kindergarten are at-risk to fail, stay 2 years behind their age mates throughout school and eventually dropout of high school before graduation according to Southern Early Child Association (SECA), often ending up in prison.
These agencies were given books and materials in Phase One of this Partnership for Early Child Literacy, "Books for Families" :
Piedmont Healthy Families serving 7 counties of Heartland Virginia;
Infant and Toddler Connection of the Heartland 7 counties (first half of their caseload);
Buckingham County Social Services, Family Visitors.
Gold Hills Elementary, Early Child Special Education. ( a few sample books).
These organizations are highly dedicated professionals giving ongoing service to families in need. They note that prior to this intervention "These families often have no books in the home".
Literacy for Tykes is grateful to Target for their very special one-time grant recognizing the need to help strengthen these families and give their children a better chance for a brighter future.
Welcome to our Blog Page:
We launched Phase One of Early Child Literacy Partnership:Farmville/ Tri-County-Plus with donations from the general Public and a very special grant from Target.
We have many requests for the book Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures, written by Nancy Cloyd who has given up her royalty rights to make this a truly nonprofit project.
We have many requests for the book Teddy Bear's Favorite Pictures, written by Nancy Cloyd who has given up her royalty rights to make this a truly nonprofit project.
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