Ontario Early Years

There's this really cool program called Ontario Early Years (Family Day) that is offered in my community. Here is the link to their home page:
http://www.ontarioearlyyears.ca/oeyc/en/home.htm

The reason why I've included this in my blog, is that this program basically offers activities that help with parents learn with their child, and that involves reading! It's a free two hour program for kids and parents/guardian, or nannies/babysitters and kids (based on a first come first serve basis), which includes a variety of programs such as Baby Time for ages 0-18 mths, CPNP Prenatal program, Family Time, Toddler Time ages 19-36 mths


One of the reasons, why it's great, is that they provide articles and pamphlets about reading activities. For example, Reading Aloud with Children of All Ages by Derry Koralek, which emphasizes that reading aloud assist children learn about the world around them through scaffolding of parents and professionals. It also offers tips with reading aloud with babies, such as associating reading with books that are warm and pleasant, words that have patterns, sounds or rhythms. By asking engaging questions babies and/or children develop cognitive and comprehensive skills. In other words, not only do kids become aquainted with reading, interaction with their peers and professionals, but it also educates parents/guardians the imporantance of reading. Some parents may already know this, but there maybe some parents who are not aware about the significance of reading in a child's development.

References:

Schickedanz, J.A. (1999). Much More than the ABCs: The Early Stages of Reading and Writing. Washington: DC: NAEYC.

Trelease, J. (2001). The Read Alound Handbook (5th ed.). New York: Penguin Putnam