“What is early literacy? Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.”
This definition is just one of the many useful descriptions and tips offered as part of H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library’s first Every Child Ready to Read workshops for parents and caregivers.
In an Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) workshop sponsored by the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children, Head of Youth Services Claire Ramsey received training to provide workshops for parents and caregivers in Vance County. This is the first time Perry Library Youth Services has been able to offer parent workshops since Mrs. Ramsey, who will lead the workshops, joined the library staff in 2000.
Perry Library’s ECRR workshops will take place on three Saturday afternoons at 2 PM in October, November, and December and are intended specifically for Vance County parents and caregivers. Caregivers could include babysitters, day care owners and employees, preschool teachers or employees, grandparents and other relatives, or anyone who spends time with young children. Because of the hands-on, personal tone of each workshop and the materials each participant will receive, each workshop will be limited to 35 parent/caregiver participants. Participants will receive brochures, hands-on literacy materials such as song and activity sheets, and other giveaways designed to help with early literacy.
All ECRR workshops are designed to be as convenient as possible to parents and caregivers who may have to work during the week. October 21 will target caregivers of Early Talkers (children ages infants through age two); on November 4, the audience is parents of Talkers ages two and three; and December 9 will feature literacy training for parents and caregivers of Pre-Readers ages four to five. To support the learning atmosphere of these workshops (and for the enjoyment of participants and kids alike), we ask that all participants leave very young children at home. Signup for each workshop is available at the Perry Library Children’s Help Desk, or by calling the Children’s Help Desk at 252-438-3316 and selecting choice 2 or extension 226.
“Early literacy begins with you. You can help your child be ready to read.” Please join us in supporting these workshops and the parents, caregivers, and children they will benefit.