A Workshop for Library Staff

In 2000, the Association for Library Service to Children and the Public Library Association responded to research studies that found a significant percentage of children were entering kindergarten without the early literacy skills needed to learn to read.

Teaching parents and other caregivers how to support the early literacy development of their children was the basis for the first edition of Every Child Ready to Read your library ®. ECRR 1st Edition focused on six early literacy skills.

In 2008, a joint ALSC/PLA Task Force was created to evaluate the first edition of ECRR. In 2009, Dr. Susan B. Neuman and Dr. Donna Celano were commissioned to conduct the evaluation and make recommendations. Building on Success: Every Child Ready to Read your library ® 2nd Edition was released in 2011.

Features of Every Child Ready to Read ® 2nd Edition: Workshops are based on updated research. The framework of five practices—talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing—are used to develop early literacy skills. Practices can be used with children from birth to age five. Two broad sets of skills are emphasized: decoding and comprehension. The importance of a stimulating early literacy and learning environment is highlighted. Workshops are presented as PowerPoint presentations with talking points rather than a script. Workshop formats are modular for greater flexibility and customization. ECRR 2nd Edition focuses on five early literacy practices.

ECRR 2nd Edition is based on early literacy research. Prevention of Reading Difficulties National Reading Panel National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth National Early Literacy Panel The five early literacy practices in ECRR 2nd Edition are based on updated research.

Let’s examine what the research says. Children develop early literacy skills beginning at birth. Children start to develop early literacy skills beginning at birth. Children who begin school with well-developed early literacy skills have greater success learning to read and generally have greater success throughout their school years. The most important skills children need to develop are decoding and comprehension skills.

Not all skills are equal.

Public libraries are wonderful places to help children learn both key literacy skills: Decoding (Constrained) Comprehension (Unconstrained) Every Child Ready to Read ® 2nd Edition provides a framework to teach parents and caregivers how to help children develop these skills. Libraries provide important resources parents and caregivers can use to help children get ready to read. Public libraries have a long tradition of helping children get ready to read.

Five early literacy practices develop early literacy skills and help children get ready to read. ECRR is a parent education initiative. Turn research into good early literacy practices at home with simple early literacy practices that parents and children can enjoy together.

This begins an overview of the Every Child Ready to Read ® Parent Workshop. Selected slides and the corresponding talking points are included to familiarize you with the workshop’s content. ECRR 2nd Edition focuses on how parents can help their children develop early literacy skills with five simple practices.

ECRR 2nd Edition explains why is it important for children to get ready to read before they start school. Children who start kindergarten with good pre-reading skills have an advantage. They are ready to learn to read.

ECRR 2nd Edition explains why parents are so important in helping their children get ready to read. You are your child’s first teacher. You know your child best. Children learn best by doing, and they love doing things with you.

F Y I To become successful readers, children need to: ECRR 2nd Edition explains what early literacy skills children need to develop in order to learn to read. Learn a code Understand its meaning

Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz + \ ** [ = ) ] ~ : ]] { ++ } // ^ ! [[ (( >> \\ | [ * <#. F Y I Reading is learning the code.

ECRR 2nd Edition explains that reading is more than decoding words. Good readers understand the meaning of what they read. Reading is understanding the meaning. Leah is hipple when she roffs with her mom.

ECRR 2nd Edition explains that learning to decode words is the strongest predictor of early reading success. What is decoding? Noticing print Knowing letter names and sounds Hearing the sounds that make up words

What is comprehension? ECRR 2nd Edition explains that to be good readers, children need to make sense of (comprehend) what they read. Knowing what words mean (vocabulary) Understanding the meaning of printed language

Five simple practices help children get ready to read. ECRR 2nd Edition helps parents understand how to use the five practices to develop early literacy skills.

ECRR 2nd Edition encourages parents to use the language they know best to help their children get ready to read.

This section of the workshop previews each of the five practices parents can use to develop early literacy skills. ECRR 2nd Edition provides activities parents can use to help their children get ready to read.

ECRR 2nd Edition shows parents how talking helps children get ready to read. Talking: Children learn about language by listening to parents talk and joining in the conversation. Talking, telling stories, and stretching conversations are ways children learn new information, new vocabulary, and other early literacy skills.

Singing helps children get ready to read. Singing: Songs are a natural way to learn about language. Singing: Develops listening skills. Slows down language so children can hear the different sounds in words, a key decoding skill. Helps children learn new words and information.

Reading is the single most important way to help children get ready to read. Reading: Reading together or shared reading: Develops vocabulary and comprehension. Nurtures a love for reading. Motivates children to want to learn to read.

Writing helps children get ready to read. Writing: Reading and writing go together.

Playing helps children get ready to read. Playing: Children learn about language through different kinds of play.

Every Child Ready to Read ® 2nd Edition emphasizes the impact environment has on developing literacy skills. Children’s home environment can help them get ready to read.

Your library helps children get ready to read. The workshops include optional slides that you can use to showcase materials, programs, and services at your library that support early literacy skills. You can include or delete these slides. You can customize this slide by adding the name of your library or your library’s logo to the purple sidebar on the left. You also can replace the generic “library” photo in the sidebar with a photo of your library. The ECRR Manual includes examples of slides that have been customized to indicate where to place logos, photos, and information.

Talking and reading: We have books for you to take home and read together.

Singing: We have music to borrow.

Writing: We have places where you can write.

Playing: We have places to play and learn.

We have programs for all ages.

Join us for more fun workshops! Fun for Parents and Children Fun with Letters Fun with Words Fun with Science and Math

We have programs for parents and caregivers so you can learn more about helping your children get ready to read.

We can talk to community groups and childcare providers about how to help children get ready to read.

How to get a library card How to find us online How to contact us for more information

Thank you for coming today! We invite you to play our Cruise into Kindergarten Online GameCruise into Kindergarten Online Game with your child!

Further information about Every Child Ready to Read ® 2 nd Edition is available in the ECRR Manual and CD, and online at