ECRR Concept of the Week (9-27-07)

In a recent copy of Parents magazine, a mother shared a story of how she would tell stories to her infant and use him as the main character. She did it as a way to amuse herself and, as she said, she hoped him. There was a caption that said that psychologist have found that babies as young as 4 1/2 months can recognize the sound of their own name. "Babies are also able to distinguish and recall new words when they hear them come right before or after their name, so making your child the star of the story plants the seeds of a broad vocabulary." This is an excellent example of incorporating an early literacy concept into together time with a child. Making up stories about your young "hero" will build vocabulary, narrative skills, and will help develop language skills. And, which kid wouldn't want to here a story where their favorite person (themself) is the star of the show?-Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System

ECRR Concept of the Week (9-20-07)

Print Awareness is knowing the names of things. There are many ways that children can become more aware of print because the printed word is everywhere. When you are reading to your child, follow along with your finger. And when you are reading to yourself let your child see you follow along with your finger. Point out signs such as STOP, EXIT, or ENTER. Write their name in big letters on a piece of construction paper. Trace their finger over the letters while slowly reading it. There are so many ways to bring awareness to the written word. Making your child familiar with printed language will only make them more comfortable with books. And it will give them an understanding of the importance of print.-Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System

ECRR Concept of the Week (9-13-2007)

In the most recent copy of School Library Journal, there is an article about recognizing that every child learns differently. For instance, some boys do better in a classroom environment where they can get up and walk around, jump, sit under the desk or whatever. Sitting still all day for indefinite periods of time is almost an impossibility and can stifle learning. The same can be said for young children on the path to reading. During storytime, children do not always sit perfectly still and listen. Sometimes, they get up, look out the window, turn in circles, take off their shoes or whatever else picques their curiosity at that time. And you know what? That's okay! Adults tend to think that children should act in a certain way, but their little brains are telling them something else. The important thing is that they are seeing someone model reading while at the same time the other kids are modeling how to listen to the story. Young children are learning that reading is fun. And before it can ever be educational, it must be fun to them. So the next time you try to read to a child and they get up to pick a piece of lint from your shoes, just keep reading. Before you know it, they will be so engrossed in the story that you may just have to read it again.-Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System

ECRR Concept of the Week (9-6-07)

Have you ever noticed that some young children have incredible fluency? I think there is a simple answer for why that some children are better speakers than others. Their allowed to talk. Parents and those around them allow them to do the speaking without constantly shushing them. This is like dialogic reading. Dialogic reading allows the child to be the storyteller and the adult to be the audience. The child isn't told to be quiet or listen, but is encouraged to participate. In storytimes, allowing participation can be accomplished by asking questions of the audience ("What do you think will happen next?"), allowing children to chime in with chants, rhymes and songs, or by having the children point to pictures and saying the names of objects. Not only does the child build vocabulary and narrative skills, but he also builds confidence. This confidence will one day make him a fluent and fluid reader. -Amy Dawson, Youth Services Librarian, Catawba County Library System