Early literacy is an important curriculum component, enhancing children’s vocabulary by introducing them to new words, and supporting the development of phonological awareness. In the month of March, we partnered with the local library for a fun afternoon of reading and activities. Terra Taylor, Louisville Free Public Library Youth Services Library Assistant, visited Celebree School of East Louisville. This partnership is critical to early literacy and school readiness and supports the love of reading and learning in young children.
The excitement for early literacy did not stop there. On March 26, we invited families into the school for an evening of fun and imagination exploration. We read the books Not a Box and Not a Stick by author Antionette Portis. Both books explore children’s imaginations and taking ordinary objects and making them extraordinary. The event consisted of families and children partnering together to use their imagination and dream up creations using boxes and other materials. Children benefit from using their imagination in a variety of ways. Benefits include developing social and emotional skills as well as cognitive development.
Developing literacy skills takes place at school but begins at home. Start reading to your child early. Reading to infants builds language skills, supports healthy attachment, and cognition. Start by adding reading to your daily routine and holding or snuggling with your infant as you read to them. Strategies for keeping your child engaged include using animated voices, point out pictures to connect words with the images on the page, and selecting tactile books with different surfaces and textures or tabs to open. Once children get older, give them time to retell the story back to you as well as tell you their own story based on the pictures and what they recall. Focus on interactions with your child, rather than just reading, allowing for repetition, discovery, and the development of the love of reading!
