ECRR2 - Reading

Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2) is an early literacy guideline/parent education initiative developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - divisions of the American Library Association.  It was originally released in 2004 and revised a few years later (hence the 2). There are five skills emphasized in ECRR2: Play, Sing, Write, Talk, Read.

This is the fifth and last in a series of posts about ECRR2, focusing on the five practices.  

The Importance of Reading in Early Literacy Skills

This might seem to be a given.  In order to have strong literacy skills, one must be able to read.  The single most effective way to help your child become a proficient reader is to take the time to read together.  With shared reading, your child's vocabulary will increase as she will hear many new words. 

It is important to read together every day.  Ideally you will do this 15-20 minutes, but if your child is a wiggle worm don't fret!  Reading only a few minutes here and there is also helpful.

Remember, books help to teach new words.  By using less common words - ones that aren't often heard in everyday conversations - books increase vocabulary.  For example, a picture book may say that a character snoozed or dozed, but in a regular conversation we may say that someone slept or napped.  As you and your child share books, talk about what the words mean.  This will help her understand how to use the new words.

As always, have fun. If you and your child both enjoy the activity, it will benefit not only her literacy skills, but also your time spent together. 

ECRR2 - Singing

Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2) is an early literacy guideline/parent education initiative developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - divisions of the American Library Association.  It was originally released in 2004 and revised a few years later (hence the 2). There are five skills emphasized in ECRR2: Play, Sing, Write, Talk, Read.

This is the fourth in a series of posts about ECRR2, focusing on the five practices.  

The Importance of Singing in Early Literacy Skills

Songs are a natural way to learn about language.  Singing is a simple way to learn about language that comes naturally to children. Through the melodies of songs children will hear words broken down to syllables. Syllables and letter sounds are able to be slowed down and exaggerated in songs making it easier for children to hear.

 

Take any opportunity to sing. Don’t worry about perfect pitch; just have fun! Sing along with the radio. Sing lullabies. Sing children’s tunes. You can even make up your own silly songs. Chants, clapping rhymes, and action rhymes, such as “Miss Suzy had a Steamboat” and “Down Down Baby”, also emphasize the individual syllables of words.

Don’t forget about the classic nursery rhymes!  Many of the rhymes have tunes to accompany them.  If you don’t know the tune, or if the rhyme doesn’t have one, make up one to go with it. Additionally, many beloved children’s songs have picture books that can be used to accompany you as you sing to your child.  Iza Trapani and Jane Cabrera are two authors who have many books of children’s songs, such as It’s Raining, It’s Pouring and Row Row Row Your Boat. 

When your child starts to form her own melodies, encourage her creativity and her vocabulary will grow.  Most importantly, have fun with songs and your child’s literacy skills will continue to flourish.

ECRR2 - Talking

Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2) is an early literacy guideline/parent education initiative developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - divisions of the American Library Association.  It was originally released in 2004 and revised a few years later (hence the 2). There are five skills emphasized in ECRR2: Play, Sing, Write, Talk, Read.

This is the third in a series of posts about ECRR2, focusing on the five practices.  

The Importance of Talk in Early Literacy Skills

If you ask most parents if they talk to their children, they will likely tell you that they do.  The question really is – HOW do they talk to their children?  Children learn so much through listening to your conversations and joining in.  Talking with instead of at a child not only boosters their sense of self-worth, but also teaching her how to hold a conversation and increases her vocabulary. Some of the other ways children learn new information, new vocabulary and other early literacy skills are thinking out loud, telling stories, and stretching conversations.

You may think your child is babbling nonsense, but in his mind he may be telling you an elaborate tale. Encourage him by asking open ended questions, such as “And then what happened next?” and giving him time to continue his story.  By adding detail to your conversations, sprinkling in some unfamiliar (or big) words, and making sure to give your child sufficient time to construct a response, you are helping your child expand his vocabulary and conversational skills. By being able to tell or retell a story, children become able to understand what they read. 

One way to ensure you are giving your young child enough time to formulate her response to questions is to slowly – and silently – count to ten after asking them.  Young children take longer to process questions and decide upon their answers than older children and adults. 

Think your child is too little to really talk to?  While our youngest children aren’t able to speak, they are still soaking in the world around them.  Narrate what you are doing, even mundane activities such as getting baby dressed or brushing your hair.  Using “baby talk” at times is fine, but don’t do it so much that you stop using “real” language around your child! 

Engaging your young child in a conversation can be fun for both of you.  It not only helps develop literacy skills, but it also helps to strengthen your bond.

ECRR2-Writing

Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2) is an early literacy guideline/parent education initiative developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - divisions of the American Library Association.  It was originally released in 2004 and revised a few years later (hence the 2). There are five skills emphasized in ECRR2: Play, Sing, Write, Talk, Read.

This is the second in a series of posts about ECRR2, focusing on the five practices.  

The Importance of Writing in Early Literacy Skills

Writing and literacy go hand in hand.  Writing helps children learn about print, letters, and increases both vocabulary and narrative skills.

As a young child scribbles, she is learning the skills that will one day help her to write her name and to read a sentence.  The marks a child makes on a page (or even your wall) make seem like nonsense to you; however, to the young “writer” those marks may very likely represent a story.  Through writing, children learn to correlate letters and words with the sounds they make and the objects they represent.  Writing also helps children to understand that print has meaning.

Scribbling is just one part of writing.  Learning and drawing shapes is a step in making letters.  Tracing lines, whether with a writing utensil or with a finger, is another.  These activities are stepping stones to learning to write. 

Using different materials to do these activities can not only be fun, but can help children learn through the sense of touch.  Try different types of materials, such as crayons, markers, and chalk, when drawing.  Use yarn to draw shapes and letters or cut shapes from sandpaper so they can be felt by little hands. 

So pull out the drawing supplies and have fun!   Play with the building supplies and make some shapes and letters.  Have fun with your child and develop literacy skills while you are at it!

ECRR2 - Playing

Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2) is an early literacy guideline/parent education initiative developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - divisions of the American Library Association.  It was originally released in 2004 and revised a few years later (hence the 2). There are five skills emphasized in ECRR2: Play, Sing, Write, Talk, Read.

This is the first in a series of posts about ECRR2, focusing on the five practices.  

The Importance of Play in Early Literacy Skills

When a child plays, she develops a variety of skills.  Through exercising her imagination, she learns about how the world works.  She develops her language skills and ability to put her thoughts into words.  Playing also helps her to think symbolically – that an item can be imagined as something else (i.e. a cardboard box is a car – or a house – or a cave).  Through playing she will process what she sees and hears in the world around her.  

Play encompasses so many of a child’s activities.  Dramatic or imaginative play can be more than enjoying a round of make believe.  As a child does artwork or crafts, he in engaging in a type of imaginative play that will not only increase his literacy skills, but also his fine motor skills.  

However, it isn’t enough for a child to play alone.  Enjoying an activity – whether it is coloring, play dough, a board game, or a tea party – is best shared with the child’s parents or other close adults.  Through this interaction a child learns not only how to properly utilize the items being played with, but how to use her words to express what she is doing.  Additionally, this is a fantastic way to bond with your child and show him that you are willing to take the time to do what they enjoy. 

While fancy toys can be fun, simple activities such as playing with blocks, creating with play dough, and drawing with crayons also encourage literacy skills without costing a lot of money. 

So, sit on the floor with your kids and dive into helping to put together a puzzle, color coloring book pages, or build a block tower.  Not only will you help them with their literacy skills, but you will all have a lot of fun!