Children’s Literacy

Reading and Developmental Areas How does reading help children develop? Physical Intellectual Language Social Emotional Moral

Reading to Babies Communication Introduces concepts (numbers, animals, letters, etc) in a fun way Builds skills (listening, memory, vocab) Gives them information about environment Comfort/bond

Reading to Babies Ages/Stages Young babies 4 to 6 months Focus on pictures Enjoy bright colors and sounds 4 to 6 months Grab and hold books Chew on them (choose vinyl or cloth) Use ryhming and repetitive wording 6 to 12 months Being to understand May have favorite book or page Make sounds while reading 12 months-help turn pages

Reading to Babies Tips while reading Cuddle Read with expression Don’t follow text exactly, ask questions/makes comments Sing nursery rhymes, make animal noises, bounce on knee Repetition Encourage baby to touch book and point at pictures

Reading to Toddlers Promotes large vocabulary of words and knowing how to use them Understanding that words are made of smaller sounds Understanding that marks on page represent letters and words Know the letters of the alphabet

Reading to Toddlers Reading aloud helps kids transition from babies to toddlers 1 to 3 year olds---triumphs and challenges Like to hear stories about other kids Reading helps reinforce learning (letters, numbers, shapes, weather, etc) Strong connection with caregiver

Reading to Toddlers Tips for reading to Toddlers Hold them in your lap (if they’ll let you) Read books child requests Read slowly Use expression Use puppets and/or finger play Encourage child to clap or sing while reading rythmic/sing-song books Point to and talk about illustrations Ask open ended questions Use child’s name in story Have fun!

Reading to Preschoolers Things they know about reading… Books are read front to back Pictures should be right side up Read from left to right Words have different sounds in them There are familiar and unfamiliar words

Reading to Preschoolers Tips for reading to a preschooler Read the book for the millionth time! When reading a new book, introduce it (look at cover and talk about what it might be about) Ask why characters may have chosen to do something Ask what part was their favorite and WHY Talk about parts of story (beginning, middle, and end) Point to words as you read Let children finish familiar sentences Have children point out letters or words they may know

Reading to School Age Children Kindergarten to Third Grade Kindergarten Beginning to learn how to read Know most letters/sounds by end of the year Read and write simple words First Grade Learn many more words Sound out words Make connections Read simple books independently Second and Third Grade Continue to learn phonics and site words Use reading to learn about world around them May have favorite books and authors

Reading to School Age Children Tips for reading to School Age Children Talk about what you read before, during, and after Ask open ended questions Read expressively and with enjoyment Have child help you read Correct children when they make mistakes, but don’t over correct Ask questions at the end of chapters Re-read lines that are funny Ask child’s opinion about characters

Focus on Moral Development Understanding right from wrong through modeling behavior, helps build character A moral is a lesson to be learned from a story Can you name some examples of morals?

Morals in Stories The Boy Who Cried Wolf (honesty) King Midas (wisdom and riches) The little Red Hen (hard work always pays off) The Ugly Duckling (what do you think?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neX_E8Ozf88