Learning to Read Without Words
Every Wednesday, Jerry Lott of El Cajon spends time with her 3-year-old granddaughter Isabella. And every week they make a trip to the El Cajon Library for the Books & Boogie story time.
They’ve doubled their library time after Lott heard about the Every Child Ready to Read Program from the library and First 5 San Diego.
“I really like the program,” said Lott, who now takes her granddaughter to Ready to Read on Thursdays. “It’s showing us different ways of starting your child or grandchild to read.
“It’s getting them interested in the basics which are very important for their development.”
The program is a series of four workshops for parents and caregivers of children up to age 5. The aim is teach them how to incorporate early literacy skills into everyday activities.
“We’ve really made a big push for early literacy programs,” said Kristin Ward, El Cajon youth services librarian. “They give parents the foundation to start working on literacy at home and give the child a base to grow on.
“The workshops are very hands-on because the children learn best through play.”
Ready to Read encourages parents to help their child become ready to read through five everyday activities: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing.
“Children learn words through everyday interactions,” said Ward. “A parent or caretaker is a child’s best teacher.”
It’s important to start early so your child is ready to read when they enter kindergarten. According to the Carnegie Foundation of New York, 35 percent of students enter school without the skills necessary to learn to read.
“Children who are ready to read when they reach kindergarten have greater success throughout their school years,” Ward said.
Picture books – even ones without words – are a great way to start.
“Wordless picture books allow you to describe the picture,” said Ward. “You and your child can make up a story about what they see in the pictures.”
You can get creative in teaching new words as well. Everyday things like a trip to the grocery store can be a great learning experience. It’s a great place to teach your child colors, shapes, sizes and letters in addition to the words.
Another fun way to build vocabulary is to play “I spy” which can be played anywhere. You simply find an object and give the first letter and the child has to seek that object out.
Ward encourages parents and caregivers to make their home a learning zone and work with the child at his pace.
“Even if they only have a five-minute attention span, then do it for five minute here and five minutes there,” Ward said. “Another important thing is to be a role model.
“If the child sees you reading and enjoying it, she will learn that reading is fun.”
Lott said her granddaughter has really enjoyed the Ready to Read program.
“It’s just wonderful,” she said. “She really likes it and it gives her a chance to come to the library an additional day.”
There’s another bonus for the grandmother/granddaughter duo’s extra trip to the library, too.
“They just have so many good activities for children to learn, just not books,” she said. “Coming twice a week gives her another chance to play on the computer, too.”
The workshops will be held at various library branches in upcoming months. Please contact the individual branch for specific information:
· San Marcos Library: (760) 891-3014 – September 2013
· Spring Valley Library: (619) 463-1796 – October 2013
· Vista Library: (760) 643-5113 – November 2013
· Imperial Beach Library (619) 424-6628 – January 2014