IN Upper St. Clair Spring 2020

INDUSTRY INSIGHT EARLY EDUCATION SPONSORED CONTENT FOCUSING on READING READINESS for CHILDREN L earning to read can be challenging for some children. However, if you expose them to books and language when they are very young, they might develop reading skills more quickly. It might also foster a love of reading. Here are some easy ways to build your little one’s reading skills: INFANT TO ONE YEAR • Playing appropriate music teaches acute sound differentiation, which is used later in letter sound differentiation; • Read simple board books with one picture per page, contrasting colors and/or simple pictures, and point to the items on each page; • While reading to your child, make faces so your child will notice subtle differences; • Allow your child to point and turn book pages; • Describe colors, shapes and sizes; • Verbalize and describe your child’s actions (e.g., “That’s the blue ball. Uh- oh, it rolled away. I’ll roll it back to you. You caught it.”). FIRST STEPS (12-18 MONTHS) • Read longer stories to your child and allow him or her to point, turn pages or even turn the book upside-down; • Name objects as your child points; READY. SET. GOddard! We help children explore and discover their interests through play in a safe environment. We provide ample opportunities for fun learning experiences, promoting a lifelong love of learning in literacy, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. NOW ENROLLING ALL AGES, INCLUDING KINDERGARTEN! PETERS TOWNSHIP (VENETIA) • 724-941-6464 PITTSBURGH (UPPER SAINT CLAIR) • 412-564-3600 GoddardSchool.com The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2018 • Sing and give characters of books funny voices; • Speak to your child in a normal tone to demonstrate accurate sound recognition; • Enunciate words of interest such as “Mommy”; • As syllables start to represent words, such as “juice” and “more,” expand upon them (e.g., “apple juice” or “Would you like more apple juice?”). TODDLER & GET SET (18-36 MONTHS) • Read everything – signs, labels, toys and your child’s name; • Take cues from your child (e.g. interested, not interested, read or just look at the pictures, read more or stop before the end of the story?); • Find and point out shapes and symbols in your home or community; • Recite rhymes and alliterations, and pause to allow your child to fill in the last word or phrase; • Play games such as Candyland® where symbols lead to action. PRESCHOOL (36 MONTHS +) • Read words and point to each one as you read it, moving your finger from left to right, top to bottom; • While grocery shopping, ask your child to find an item that starts with a certain letter; • While in the park, ask your child to bring you items one at a time (e.g. a stick, a leaf, etc.). Write the word for each item and then write a story with these words; • Ask your child what he or she would like to buy at the grocery store and write it on the list together. PRE-KINDERGARTEN (48 MONTHS +) • Read with your child. Take turns reading pages, modeling intonation and punctuation cues; • Play “Going on a Hike.” Start by picking a letter and saying, “I’m going on a hike and in my backpack I have a …” Take turns repeating the sentence, naming the previously listed words and adding a new word that starts with the chosen letter each time; • Ask your child to get something in the pantry that he or she would not recognize by sight. Provide the beginning letter sound of the item and ask him or her to search for it by reading the letters; • While driving, ask your child to help you find a particular street sign. Finding a preschool that operates year-round can also be beneficial for reading readiness and other developmental areas. The best preschools include developmental guidelines for every age level and include specific goals related to reading emergence and other areas. Make sure the faculty is educated in writing and implementing lesson plans to support individualized learning. The most ingenious preschool programs are integrating specialty enrichment resource programs, such as a second language, sign language, math, science, fitness, and music, into their curriculum. This seamless assimilation provides optimum learning opportunities for children in a convenient “all-in-one” package. This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Road in Peters Township, 724.941.6464, and 655 Painters Run Road, Upper St. Clair, 412.564.3600. Goddard offers both full- and part-time infant/preschool/ kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com/Pittsburgh. UPPER ST. CLAIR ❘ SPRING 2020 13

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