Ready to Read Little ones’ library hour

Ready to ReadLittle ones’ library hour Visit the library Check-out books Request Information

Purpose • What you can do to help young children to become aware of and comfortable with BOOKSand LANGUAGE. • Resources • Website • Books • Tip sheets • Story

Three Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed Three little monkeys jumpin’ on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head. Mama called the doctor and the doctor said:, “No more monkeys jumpin’ on the bed.” Two little monkeys jumpin’ on the bed. (Repeat rest of rhyme) One little monkey jumpin’ on the bed. (Repeat)

Parents can make a difference! • Learning to read and write is essential to school success. • Children get ready to read long before they start school.

Parents can make a difference! • Children who are READ TO have: • A larger vocabulary • Better language skills when they start school • Greater interest in books • Children who WANT to have books read to them are more likely to want to learn to read. • A child’s interest in reading is an important predictor of reading achievement in school. Source: Adam Payne, Grover Whitehurst, and Andrea Angell. “The Role of Home Literacy Environment in the Development of Language Ability in Preschool Children for Low-Income Families”. Early Childhood Research Quarterly v.0 issues 3-4 (1994) p. 422-440.

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Print Motivation—a child’s interest & enjoyment of books • Read often—make it enjoyable • Good moods • Stop when your child is tired or loses interest • Don’t expect small children to sit still or sit long

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Phonological Awareness—ability to hear & play with smaller sounds in words. • Sing and say nursery rhymes • Sing songs as you do routines such as bathing, dressing, etc.

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Vocabulary—knowing the names of things • Talk and read with your child. Children hear more new words when you read books. • Label things and feelings. • Explain unfamiliar words.

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Print Awareness—noticing print everywhere; knowing how to handle books, knowing how to follow words on a page. • Point to signs & read them • Point to words from time to time while reading • Let your child turn the pages • Point to repeating words or phrases & let your child say it.

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Letter Knowledge—knowing that letters are different & have different names & sounds. • Point out shapes of toys & objects. • Talk about things that are alike and different • Read alphabet books • Play with magnetic letters or make letters from clay • Talk about letters that are interesting to your child—the first letter of your child’s name or favorite things. • Use environmental print.

6 Skills you can teach right NOW • Narrative skills—the ability to describe things & events and tell stories. • Name things through the day. • Make time for child to talk with you. Give your child lots of opportunity to speak. • Listen. Be patient.

What does it look like? http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/classroom#earlylit

You Are Your Child’s BEST and FIRST Teacher! • READ early and OFTEN • Point out ENVIRONMENTAL print • TALK to your child and LISTEN • SING songs and RHYMES • Make reading FUN • Have BOOKS in your home

Join Us for a Story in the Storycorner

Ready to Read Little ones’ library hour