| |
Literacy
Building literacy is a central priority in all
of IHSD’s programs. In collaboration with partners in the community, IHSD offers
an array of activities to help children build the skills they need to learn how
to read. We also work with other agencies to improve the literacy of those parents
and families who struggle with reading or who are English-language learners.
IHSD engages in and supports the following activities and programs promote emergent
literacy in children:
- Reading Is Fundamental: A national program
that helps parents get involved with children’s reading, shows children that reading
can be fun, helps families enjoy stories and books together, and gets books into
the hands of children.
- Raising
A Reader: A local program funded by Peninsula Community Foundation and the
County Office of Education, that ensures every child brings home a book bag filled
with a collection of quality donated children’s books each week. Parents receive
a video to enhance their skills in reading aloud and helping their children develop
a love for reading.
- Story time
by local librarians: All classrooms have a regular story-time presented by
local librarians.
- Field trips to
local libraries: All classrooms make regular
visits to their local libraries to check out books.
-
Book area: Each classroom has an inviting
book area, where a variety of books and props stimulate children’s interest in
reading. Books are available in English, Spanish and other languages.
-
Writing area: To increase children’s awareness
of printed words, each classroom has a writing area.
- Children
portfolio:Teachers compile samples of children’s writing to track children’s
development and progress.
- Book
making: Daily classroom activities incorporate a variety of book-making projects.
- Reader’s theater: Children
can enact or retell their favorite stories in the classroom area with props and
learning tools.
- Computer area:
Computers in every classroom have software that brings a variety of literacy-focused
activities.
- KQED “First Book” Project:
Distributes books free of charge to Head
Start children.
The
following activities promote family literacy: - Reading
Is Fundamental: This program provides opportunities for parents to assist
program staff in selecting books for their children and organizing literacy events.
- Raising A Reader:This program
encourages parents to share books with their children daily. “Read Aloud” home
videos and other resources in their native languages help to enhance the family’s
reading experience.
- ESL
classes: Several of our Head Start sites
have weekly English as a Second Language classes on site
-
Project Read: This adult literacy training
program help parents improve their abilities to read to their young children.
Sessions offered in-home or on site include storytelling, fingerplays, and language
enrichment activities.
- Even Start:
The Even Start Family Literacy Program integrates early childhood education, adult
literacy and adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified literacy
program. IHSD partners with Even Start in Half Moon Bay.
-
Literacy van and book mobile: Literacy
vans are stationed at three of our Head Start sites, where parents and children
have easy access to a lending library of quality books.
- Home
activities
- Library events
- Head
start trainings
 |