Ready to Read Little ones’ library hour

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

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

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 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

14. Join Us for a Story in the Storycorner