All of the activities we've discussed so far offer a rich experience for your child as she builds her language skills. But you can do even more to support her learning.
Visiting the Library
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning and discovery for everyone. Ask about getting a library card in your child's name and get one for yourself if you don't have one.
The Librarian
Introduce yourself and your child to your librarian. Librarians can help you find out how to select the best books that are fun and good for your child's age level. They can also show you what other programs and services the library has to offer. If you would like reading help for yourself or your family, check with the librarian about literacy programs in your community.
Books, and More
In addition to a wealth of books, you might find tapes of books, musical CDs and tapes, movies, computers you can use, and more. You might find books in languages other than English, or programs to help adults improve their reading.
Supervised Story Times
Babies and toddlers. Many libraries have group story hours that are short and set up by age. Your child sits in your lap, and both of you can join in the story. The librarian may show you finger-plays and rhythm activities. The librarian may also give you tips and handouts that you can use for home story hours.
Preschoolers. The library may offer these story hours more than once a week. You and your child usually read several books on the same topic. You might play games, sing songs, use puppets, or do other activities that are connected to that topic. You may also get ideas for books to read and other things to do at home.
Families. Families can read together, or they may join in a story told by the library storyteller. Some libraries also set up family activities around the readings for the week, including watching movies and making projects.
Summer Reading
After the school year is over, some children may forget what they have learned about reading. Libraries help keep children interested in reading by offering summer programs. Children from early elementary school to high school read books on their own. Their school or library gives them a diary or log where they write down what they read during the summer. At the same time, many libraries offer "Read-to-Me" clubs to encourage reading aloud to preschool and younger children, since this is so important in fostering a love of reading.
Also check at your local library for AMERICA READS CHALLENGE: READ*WRITE*NOW! summer reading materials. The materials offer ideas for parents, caregivers, and others who volunteer as learning partners in helping youngsters keep and improve their reading skills during the summer.
Learning with Computers
Computers can't replace the reading and writing activities mentioned earlier in this book. But computers can support what these activities teach your child.
Many computer programs (also called software) offer activities that can both grab your child's interest
and teach good lessons. Children as young as 3 years old, though they can't read yet, may still have fun using some of the colorful, action-filled programs with enjoyable characters. Computer reading programs let your child hear stories, read along, and read by herself;
play with objects and characters on the screen that teach the alphabet, simple words, rhyming words, and similar things;
command the computer with her voice, record herself reading, and play it back so she can hear herself;
write simple sentences and make up stories;
add pictures and characters to her stories and have them read back;
make and print her own books;
make slide shows; and
gain praise and see improvement in her abilities.
Finding and Using a Computer
If you don't have a computer at home, ask your librarian if you and your child may use one of the library's computers. Your child's school or a nearby community college might also have a computer laboratory you may use. Ask your librarian about good computer programs. Try a few. They can help you learn basic computer steps before working with your child. This experimenting could help you feel more comfortable with computers if you've never used one before. Your librarian may be able to tell you where you can get computer training if you want it.
When sitting at a computer with your child, join in at first. Later, watch as she plays. Always praise and guide her when you need to. Make sure you choose the right programs for your child's age. Often, one program may have activities for many ages. As your child grows, the program gets more challenging. In fact, if you have children of different ages, the same program can allow each to learn
and practice different skills.
There are many good children's programs available, but they vary in quality. If you can, try the software before you buy it. Also, you can check at your local library for reviews of children's software. Don't hesitate to ask your librarian or your child's teacher for information and recommendations about good software.
You can also get useful computer programs through the Internet, a hookup of computers around the world. Many programs are available through "Web sites," which are addresses on the World Wide Web, a part of the Internet. Organizations like libraries, colleges, and government offices give people information through their Web sites. Businesses and other private groups also give--and
sell--information over their Web sites. Good children's programs are available this way, but again, the quality of such material varies and you will need to be careful in your choices. For help on how you can use a computer to hook up to the Internet and find what you need, check with your librarian.
Some Useful Computer Resources
Parents Guide to the Internet published by the U.S. Department of Education (call toll free 1-877-4ED-PUBS to request a free copy or order through the World Wide Web at(http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html);
The Connected Family: Bridging the Digital Generation Gap by Seymour Papert and Nicholas Negroponte;
The Parents' Pocket Guide to Kids and Computers published by the Family Computer Workshop;
and
Young Kids and Computers: A Parent's Survival Guide published by Children's Software Revue.
Taking Charge of TV
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it. Keep in mind, though, that small children often imitate what they see, good or bad. It's up to you to decide how much TV and what kinds of shows your child watches.
Think about your child's age and choose what types of things you want him to see, learn, and imitate.
Look for shows that
- teach your child something,
- hold his interest,
- encourage him to listen and question,
- help him learn more words,
- make him feel good about himself, and
- introduce him to new things.
Shows such as "Sesame Street", "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," and "Arthur" are some you may want to consider. Many other good children's programs are on public television stations and on cable channels, such as Disney and Nickelodeon.
Limit the time you let your child watch. Too much television cuts into important activities in a child's life such as reading, playing with friends, and talking with family members.
Watch TV with your child when you can. Talk with your child about what you see. Answer his questions. Try to point out the things on TV that are like your child's everyday life.
When you can't watch TV with your child, spot check what he is watching. Ask questions after the show ends. See what excites him and what troubles him. Find out what he has learned and remembered.
Go to the library and find books that explore the themes of the TV shows your child watches. Or help your child make a book based on a TV show, using his drawings or pictures cut from magazines.
This site is brought to you by Better Grades Today. Their catalog has a variety of materials that can help you teach your child to read. Click their link below to enter their catalog.
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