Hello Readers, Hope you have a Happy Holiday!
Early Learning-Literacy Newsletter
December 2014
Our Early Learning
and Literacy Programs recognize the importance of play for children’s
development. We support and enhance play to teach literacy skills. For example, after the children have heard a
story, we love to weave in activities that promote dramatic play and
opportunities to re-tell the story
The “three stories a day“
that
we choose as read-aloud act as a spring-board for ideas that encourage all ages
to explore the concepts found in the story and act out a new story in their own creative way. We provide
simple props that the kids turn into all sorts of things. For example: when we read the Journey of the Dog Salmon by Nuchaanulth Elder, Bruce Martin, all that was needed was a
collection of old scarves. The children used the pink and red scarves to signal that
they were now salmon “running up the river”.
All the adults joined in the Sockeye Salmon run and acted very tired by
the time they arrived at their destination.
Because we had lots of opportunities to bring in the new vocabulary
words “journey”, and “life cycle”, the children mastered the concepts we wanted
to teach in a playful and joyful way.
Let’s Have Fun and “Look Out for Letters”
We focused on recognizing the letter “s” and practiced making the “ss” sound when the children covered Sammy Snake’s letter with stones and made a hissing sound when they placed each rock on the letter template.
The Literacy Leaders, teachers and all the talented caregivers at NAC and Boy’s and Girl’s Club know that young children do not learn about the world by themselves. All learning is social. Stories help children think about and practice social skills such as problem solving and thinking about the needs and feelings of others. Many of our stories involve solving problems. Raven had to come up with plan to save the sun in Elder Ellen White’s story “Seagull Steals the Sun”.
Our Favourite Tips for
Growing Up To Read
1.
Read to your child from the
very start. Even babies love books!
2.
Read every day. Make a special time for books.
3.
Make a fun or cozy place to
read or look at books. Make a special
place to display favourite books so they can be found easily.
4.
Bring some books with you
when you go out. Book time can happen anywhere anytime! Books are great for the
car.
5.
Be a family of readers. Let your child see you reading books,
magazines, recipes and more. Share culturally important stories.
6.
Read where you are. Look
our for letters. Point out signs, read
street signs, cereal boxes, exit signs and other kinds of texts. Reading
happens everywhere!
7.
Remind family and friends
that books make wonderful presents.
8.
Make the reading time fun
and special. Take time to talk about the
pictures and make connections between the book and recent events in your
child’s life.
9.
Re-read favourite
stories. Let your child say the familiar
lines...enjoy being dramatic! Make a big deal about the “Most Important
Word”...your child’s name!
Every Child Needs a Literacy Blanket
Early
literacy events should be joyful, cozy, and result in a child feeling
special. Literacy learning starts long
before educators greet your child at the day care, pre-school or kindergarten
door. It begins when your child is comfortably nestled in the in the crook of your
arm, while sharing a book. This is when
literacy learning begins. The experience
feels cozy and comfortable, just like a favourite blanket.
Coach Auntie, Coach Daddy, Coach Grandma , Coach Teacher, Coach Day Care Teachers, Coach Community Reader Volunteers, Coach Mummy, Coach Uncle, Coach Grandpa, Coach Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Administration Staff, Coach Practicum Students
The Coast
Salish are famous for their weaving
skills . A Salish blanket is strong,
unique and functional. I would like to
invite you to join us in creating a
“Literacy Blanket” for your child. This Literacy Blanket will offer life-long
use and function through all future learning paths. Special people in a child’s
life: caring parents, grandparents, auntie, uncle, or loving friend of the
family, can participate in the process
of weaving a precious “Literacy Blanket”
for the special child in their lives. Community
members can also contribute to this project.
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