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Reading & Literacy
UWMC is dedicated to Education and Literacy.
We are committed to helping the youth of McLeod County succeed!
Resource 1
STARTWITHABOOK.ORG
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For more than a decade, Reading Rockets, the award-winning national multimedia literacy initiative from WETA Public Broadcasting, has provided parents and educators with information and free resources on how young kids learn to read, why so many struggle, and how caring adults can help. In 2012, Reading Rockets introduced Start with a Book, a companion website that uses books as a launching pad for exploration, conversation, and real world learning adventures. The Reading Rockets project includes PBS television programs (also available online and on DVD); online services through ReadingRockets.org and the bilingual site ColorinColorado.org; professional development opportunities; and a robust social community on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. The project is guided by an advisory panel made up of leading researchers and experts in the field of reading. The major funder for the Reading Rockets project is the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
Resource 2
KEYSTOLITERACY.COM
We do our best to include articles, links and templates that we feel are of value to educators interested in advancing their literacy knowledge, district/building strategies, and classroom practice. Please note that these files are copyright protected — contact us for permission to reproduce or distribute any of this content.
• Parents and caretakers can help by encouraging reading at all ages, instilling a love of reading and writing practices as a part of daily life. You can also tell stories, talk to children about their favorite books, and help them go to the library or bookstore to get new books.
• For younger children, sit down together and read a book out loud. If you don’t have kids of your own, volunteer at a local library or school. A new American Academy of Pediatrics study encourages pediatricians to “advise parents of young children that reading aloud and talking about pictures and words in age-appropriate books can strengthen language skills, literacy development, and parent-child relationships.”
Early language and literacy skills are learned best through everyday moments with your child—reading books, talking, laughing, and playing together. Children learn language when you talk to them and they communicate back to you, and by hearing stories read and songs sung aloud. Children develop early literacy skills when you give them the chance to play with and explore books and other written materials like magazines, newspapers, take-out menus, markers, and crayons.
Language and literacy, while two different skills, build on one another in important ways.
Resource 4
ZEROTOTHREE.ORG
To ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society that has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential. Since 1977, we have translated our expertise in the science of early childhood development into pioneering programs, field-leading training and resources, and responsive policy solutions. As a membership-based organization, we provide a vibrant, connected community for professionals in diverse disciplines focused on child development who are committed to advancing their knowledge and skills. Our work creates lasting, transformative change for children, their families and our future.