North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network - Parent Information
Seven Tips for Early Literacy Learning: From Knowing Your ABCs to Learning to Read
By Amy Mascott from www.pbsparents.org
Hooray! Your child can sing the alphabet like a pro! Now what? Once your child has mastered letter recognition, what can you do to help her get on the path to literacy? Here are seven important tips to consider after your child has learned the letters of the alphabet, but before she’s reading fluently. 1. Focus on the letters of her name. 2. Recognize each letter and know their sounds. 3. Introduce uppercase and lowercase letters. 4. Practice early writing techniques. 5. Connect objects with words. 6. Practice print referencing. 7. Read, read, read! Read with your child every day, many times a day. Read books, signs, posters—anything with words. Read in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. Read at the park, in the living room, at the pool. Read print everywhere you can find it! Most importantly, make an effort to celebrate your child’s successes, because learning to read is something to smile about.
Call your local children’s library to see what is happening today. Melrose Public Library: 781-665-2314, Stoneham Public Library: 781-438-1325 and Wakefield’s Lucius Beebe Memorial Library: 781-246-6334. So, have fun and read, read, read!
Ages and Stages Developmental Screenings: As parents, we want to know that our child is on track developing and learning all that they can. Through the Department of Early Education and Care, we have received access to the Ages and Stages Developmental and Social Emotional Growth questionnaire. The Ages and Stages screening tool is a great way to learn more about your child’s development. You complete the questionnaire based on your child’s age in the comfort of your own home, and then return the information to the Family Resource Network. Once completed, you and a staff member can review the results and see what we can do together to help your child reach their full potential. If you have any questions, please call our office at 781-279-0300 and speak to a staff member.
The Brain Building in Progress Campaign is a public/private partnership of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and a growing community of early education and child care providers, academic researchers, business leaders and individuals. Our mission is to raise awareness of the critical importance of fostering the cognitive, social and emotional development of young children by emphasizing its future impact on economic development and prosperity for everyone in Massachusetts. progress. The latest science shows that these early experiences actually build the architecture of the developing brain; much like a house is built from the bottom up. Each sequential step lays the groundwork for the next set of skills — like reading and math — and a lifetime of learning, success and productive, responsible citizenship. What is the most important thing we can all do? Have an engaging interaction with a young child. Read a book with a toddler and have a conversation about it. Play peek-a-boo with a baby. Or, take the time to be completely fascinated by the artwork of a young neighbor, niece or nephew. Get down to their level. Look them in the eye. And really, really listen. Every interactive experience that an adult has with a young child creates valuable connections that permanently wire the architecture of an amazing work in progress. All of us are brain builders. Put on your hard hat and get building for your child’s future success. Go to www.brainbuildinginprogress.org for more information.
