Alarming News -- There is a major misconception among 73% of parents across the nation regarding the importance of early literacy. Most adults feel that if a child starts kindergarten behind their peers, they will eventually catch up at some point during their years in elementary school. Unfortunately studies prove that most children will NEVER catch up.
According to a recent study by the Pearson Foundation and Jumpstart, nearly one-half of children from low-income communities start first grade up to two years behind their peers. These same children have a greater tendency (3 to 4 times) to drop out of school before graduation. Dr. Laura Berk, a co-author of the report, noted that "preschoolers from low-income families have fewer home, preschool language and literacy opportunities than children from economically advantaged backgrounds -- a major reason why they lag in academic achievement throughout the school years." The report also noted that early literacy intervention is effective in preparing young children for reading. Reading skills have a strong correlation to later learning and success in life.
To read more about this report and what's being done to combat this crises, go to: http://www.pearsoned.com/pr_2009/091709a.htm
Comments
Reaching those who don't come to story time
This news is both challenging and overwhelming. As a children’s librarian, I am challenged to reach out to those families who do not come to storytime. One way is to make connections with organizations in the community that serve families. One of these organization is using a program called “Parents as Teachers.” I have been asked to give an early literacy parenting workshop to some of these families. Has anyone else heard of “Parents as Teachers?”
Colleen
Misconceptions
In a conversation, at a non-librarian, county government meeting, I recently had a person say to me, "Why do children need to know calculus before going to kindergarten these days?" I think she thought the reasoning behind all the ready for K, and importance of early literacy messages are to push children beyond what seems reasonable. She was completely unaware of the gaps that can never be bridged when a child arrives at kindergarten with a lack of early literacy experiences. So, I think we must be careful with our message - we need to talk about age-appropriateness as well as using literacy terms.
PQ
Reaching Parents
I guess that's why I get so excited about partnerships like Oregon's, which ALSC just blogged about (and we did too)--or about Reach Out and Read, which partners with pediatrician offices--we need to take this information to as many parents as possible where they are, rather than hoping they will come to the library to ask!
Melissa D
Parent's misconceptions
I know parents want what's best and think they know what it is, but there's so much new research. How do parents find out?
Denver Post columnist brings this information to their readers
On Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, Tina Griego's column focused on how far behind children are before they get to school - read her comments which include references to Jeffrey Canada's Harlem Children's Project and Hart and Risley's research about vocabulary development. She makes a very clear case for parents. Jim Trelease also includes much of that information in his Read Aloud Handbook the 6th edition.
Link to Griego's column:http://www.denverpost.com/griego/ci_13390154
Link to Trelease's website and information for parents: http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah-intro.html
Susan O.