“A Parent’s Guide to Encouraging Literacy at Home”
On October 15, 2014 Westbridge Academy’s “Bridges to Home” Family Partnership Program proudly presented “Raising Readers”, a workshop offered by our Speech and Language Specialist, Cheryl Jones, and facilitated by School Social Workers Ivelise Velez and Donna Martin.
Cheryl’s presentation was “A Parent’s Guide to Encouraging Literacy at Home”. She modeled interactive techniques designed to promote reading, literacy, and comprehension.
Cheryl designed the workshop to include reading a story to our Elementary Track students and their parents as they sat together comfortably while enjoying refreshments. She encouraged audience participation by asking pertinent questions and led a lively discussion regarding key elements of the story. In addition, written materials were distributed to parents that included specific strategies designed to promote reading at home.
Following the reading, parents and their children joined together in craft activities related to the story.
Each child received a complimentary packet to bring home consisting of a new book, a “Love to Read” pencil, wristband, and bookmark.
The workshop was extremely successful in stressing the importance of the parent’s role in fostering the development of reading skills in their children. Reading together with children creates a positive and secure experience which can build increased interest and enjoyment of reading.
