Mrs. Zadd's Curriculum Page

Mrs. Zadd's GRADS Class

Encouraging Literacy Development in Infants and Toddlers

Children need strong oral language skills if they are to develop as readers and writers. As a parent success in learning to read is based on developing language and literacy-related skills very early in life. This page offers resources for discovering how to read to your child and making reading an enjoyable experience. The Web sites will provide you with valuable information so as a parent you can support your child as they learn to read.

Topic	Assignment
Part I ≠ Introduction to literacy	ÿ As you are reading the following Web site, reflect on your role as a parent. o I Am Your Child o Brain Wonders ÿ Why does early childhood matter? ÿ List 10 tips for effective parenting. ÿ Be prepared to discuss your ideas with your classmates.
Part II ≠ Your parenting role	ÿ Log on to Brain Wonders. ÿ Visit the section entitled ≥parents≤ and read about your role regarding your childπs development. ÿ Click on the icon that corresponds to your babyπs developmental age. ÿ Record the present progress of your child. ÿ Share your finding with your classmates.
Part III ≠ Review on brain development	ÿ Log on to Brain Wonders. ÿ Assess your understanding about literacy and brain development by taking the brain quiz. ÿ Check your answers with the guide that follows the quiz.
Part IV ≠ Practical ways for parents to encourage reading.	ÿ Access the following Web sites to discover activities that can help you to stimulate your childπs brain and interest in reading. o Disney ≠ Evaluate three books based on the handout provided in class. o Kids ≠ Locate ≥scholastic.≤ List the features and benefits for providing this type of stimulation for your child. o The Library Association ≠ Choose the name of one picture book, video and software program that would be age appropriate for your child and explain your reasoning. o National Wildlife ≠ Choose one activity that you would like to do with your child. Model this activity with your child. Record how your child responded to your cues.
Part V ≠ Selecting Childrenπs Books	ÿ Log on to Brain Wonders and view the resources for parents and caregivers. In the section entitled ≥Tips for Parents≤. List the suggested guidelines for choosing appropriate books for children. ÿ Additional information about choosing and evaluating childrenπs books may be found at PBS Kids. ÿ Choose a childrenπs book and evaluate the book based on the criteria provided in the assessment. ÿ Reading to your child is a wise investment! Try reading to your child daily.