Let’s work together to share those stories.

Children’s learning is most powerful when families and early educators work together and share information.

If stories are easily seen, families can look for them at libraries or buy themselves.

Reading the same book at home extends the language and experience.Children grow their vocabulary by 15% every time they share the same book (again!)

Children can look at the 100 Stories Before School booklists and point out to families their favourite books.Parents will know their children will be keen to hear them again.

How do Early Education Centres easily share their literacy focus with parents ?

• When families first walk in visual displays give an immediate idea of language,activities,specific stories and fun.

Visual displays in foyers

This display is under the office window where all families can see it as soon as they walk in.

Book fair display.

Have a competition to see which book is the children’s favourite.

Each room is different 

Rooms can display how many books they have read, or focus on certain stories.

If you want to follow up stories with activities we have lots of associated activities on our 36- 100 Stories Before School Pinterest boards.

• 100 Stories Before School
• Storysacks and felt boards
• 100 Stories videos online
• 100 Stories fairy stories, traditional tales and nursery rhymes.

Counting down all the books we have read! We can add new books or special ones from home.

• Families can download their own booklist and follow along with the books you are sharing at your centre. Most books are available at your local library to borrow.

The educators in the babies room helped the children make a big jungle mural after reading “Rumble in the Jungle”

• Using the early literacy calendar in the Educators booklet gives choices of themes to focus on.
• We have found a special event such as a BBQ lunch day for families with displays and storytelling by a range of storytellers, encourages family involvement.You can find storytellers among staff, parents and friends who would love to dress up and share a few stories.       It’s an ideal time to give out information or have a short chat about the development  of early literacy and its effect at school and life long.

Our local children’s librarian involving the children.She’s an accredited storyteller!

Storytelling day

Sharing “Where the Wild Things Are” in the sandpit.

One of our Educators is displaying information for parents by the sign in sheet.She writes up all about the story experiences with the linkages to educational outcomes.

If you have a social media presence, families can find out about the stories being read and see what early literacy skills their children are developing.

Parent Newsletters are  a great way to continue that focus on early literacy.Showcasing a book children had fun with, pictures of children’s activities following book reading,running competitions to win a book.

See Read  Aloud tips for parents and toddlers, scroll down near the bottom of all the posters, under parent handouts.

http://readaloud.org/downloads.html

Check out Early Words parent tip sheets

   http://www.earlywords.info/materials.html