Contact: Maridith Geuder
Nutrition, encouragement and play may not be among the three R's, but they can enhance a youngster's ability to read, according to a new booklet soon to be distributed by the state Department of Education.
"Every Child a Reader," prepared by a task force of early childhood educators in cooperation with the Mississippi State University-based Research and Curriculum Unit, focuses on getting youngsters ready for kindergarten.
The 24-page publication will be distributed to parents with children in day care and Head Start programs, as well as at pre-registration for kindergarten.
Because learning starts at birth, parents "must assume the responsibility of 'first teacher,'" said Gloria C. Correro, associate dean in MSU's College of Education. "We want to provide information that helps them more clearly understand the complete concept of 'school readiness.'"
Correro, a task force member, said one goal of the state education board "is that all children will exit kindergarten with appropriate readiness skills. We've learned that a parent can't wait until kindergarten or first grade to lay the groundwork for literacy."
Correro and Research and Curriculum Unit director Rebecca Love-Wilkes are among some 25 educators who developed the program. The RCU is a joint program of the university and the state education department.
"Parents are a child's first teachers," Correro said. "This program offers a variety of suggestions for activities that will help parents encourage reading skills."
The brightly colored booklet provides information on how children learn, what parents should know about 4-year-olds and things to do together. Each section provides a list of resources called "where to find help," as well as an "adult's to-do list."
The to-do list includes recommendations ranging from praising a child's success to getting vision, hearing and dental check-ups before school starts. Activities for parents and children range from letting the child help plan a meal to finding numbers in the home and on signs.
Correro said reading involves much more than learning ABCs. "The successful young reader is a healthy, confident child who has developed adequate motor, visual and auditory skills. Helping a child learn to read also includes providing many 'hands-on' learning experiences."