Resources for children and families

The Early Childhood Centre was established at the University of New Brunswick in 1991 to facilitate research and development in multiple aspects of early years education and care including early years schooling, family and community education and early intervention.

The Centre is pleased to announce the publication of their latest book, Kisses, kisses, kisses ($9.35). This picture book follows the popular collection of seven in the Books for Children and Families series, geared for preschool and primary school children, their parents, and teachers. Drawing on the knowledge of authors, illustrators, mothers, and editors regarding quality children's literature and reading development, they have produced high quality books that:

• Support the emergent literacy development of young children through words and pictures.
• Honour and respect the literacies of the home.
• Provide information and support to parents in their role as a child's first teacher.

Research shows that repeated rhythmic language and familiar scenes are features that produce confident emergent readers and enable parents, who may be beginning readers themselves, to successfully share books with their children. Endnotes provide parents with examples of what they can do to encourage and extend their child's literacy learning.

The seven-book collection, the newest Kisses book and numerous other worthwhile resources can be purchased from the UNB Early Childhood Centre at tel: 506-453-5024 or email: eccentre@unb.ca or visit: www.unbf.ca/education/ecc. You can also order the books from Grass Roots Press or the New Readers Bookstore (see Resources section of this newsletter).

Partners make literacy a family affair

As the lead member of this Waterloo, Ontario partnership, Project READ Literacy Network runs two two-hour long family literacy workshops thanks to sponsorship from the local newspaper, The Record. Aimed at parents and caregivers, the workshops are:

• First Steps: focused on children from newborn to five years of age to provide an overview of “literacy- rich” strategies that can be used at home
• Next Steps: focused on ages six to eight, to help parents support their school-aged children.

A pair of paid facilitators lead the workshops, the host site arranges child care, and the Literacy Network provides a resources package and snacks (sometimes Starbucks donates coffee).

Project Read is also involved in another family literacy partnership called Get, Set, Learn. Together with the Region of Waterloo Social Services Department, they offer an 8-week program in 3 locations in Waterloo Region, for parents on Ontario Works (social assistance). The goal of the program is to help parents get their children ready for school and to support parents with their own learning and education. Other partners in this project include the Kitchener Early Years Centre, a neighbourhood centre, and a local church which provides space and childcare during these sessions.

All of Project READ's family literacy programs are based on Literacy is a Family Affair, a facilitator's guide to delivering family literacy in the community. The guide can be borrowed or purchased ($45) from the AlphaPlus Centre at tel: 1-800-788-1120 or visit: www.alphaplus.ca.

For more project information, contact Lorri Sauve at tel: 519-570-3054 or email: info@projread.ca or visit: www.projectread.ca.