ONCE AGAIN: LITERACY

As many of you know, literacy for  young children is a dear subject in my brain and heart. This week was Book Fair Week at my grandchildren’s school. All four of the grands  know, without a doubt, that  Nama will be purchasing one of the books on their list as a gift to them. A book is always a part of every occasion I can think of for each of them…….to build a lifetime appreciation of books and a love of reading.

Here are some interesting facts about literacy:

1) Young children  exposed to early language and literacy events have been found to be good readers. This includes not only books being read to them and pictures described, but also conversation, stories told and writing….maybe a note to Nama!

2) The first three years of school are the critical time for learning basic literacy skills…..oraientation to books, sound/letter knowledge, decoding skills, basic reading to answer literal comprehension questions.

3) If these skills are not mastered by the beginning of fourth grade, the child will most likely struggle with advanced informational reading required to be successful in school.

4) One in four (1 in 4) children in America grow up without learning to read at a basic level.

With our children being the HOPE of the future, it is only right and extremely important that we teach them to love books, reading, and support them in any challenges they have with literacy.

Dr. Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

By the way, when I present workshops  to different school entities about language and literacy, my presentation ALWAYS  begins with reading the Dr. Seuss book “Oh,  the Places You’ll Go” , which I relate to language, literacy and learning.

What are you reading this week? Do you have a TO READ list? Do you have a special  little someone in your life that you can gift a book to?