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Program: Harvard Emerging Literacy Project (HELP)
Contact: Chandler Arnold, Founder
Description: HELP started with a few students' promise to read with a group of preschoolers once a month and currently places weekly and biweekly reading volunteers in every Head Start Classroom in Cambridge, MA. Still very much of a grassroots effort, America Reads and other volunteers tailor individual arrangements to suit the needs of their partner-teachers and their classrooms. Emerging literacy, English as a second language, and confidence building are nurtured during one-on-one reading times and activities. All volunteers also attend weekly reflection sessions to discuss their experiences and are encouraged to participate in supervised preschool and family/community gatherings.
For More Information: Harvard Emerging Literacy Project, Harvard College, University Hall Room 4, Cambridge, MA 02138
Description: This bilingual hotline is the only toll-free nationwide literacy information and referral service in the United States. It strives to link people, one-by-one, to literacy programs in their own communities. To provide these referrals, a database of over 10,000 literacy programs in across the United States is updated continually. The hotline/information clearinghouse also provides free brochures and fact sheets on literacy topics ranging from individual children?s learning to international literacy programs.
For more information: Call 1-800-223-8813
Contact: Aaron Lieberman, Founder
Description: Jumpstart, founded in 1993 by students at Yale University, brings together Americorps Members and college volunteers to work one-on-one with the same preschool child over a two-year period. Jumpstart operates in Head Start and child-care programs in low-income communities in Boston, New Haven, New York and Washington, DC. Volunteers serve two hours,two afternoons a week and full time in the summer. Families are also involved in classroom activities and are encouraged to create home literacy environments.
For more information contact: 93 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110, 1-617-542-JUMP, http://www.jstart.org
Description: Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit children's literacy organization that has worked with local groups since 1966. RIF motivates youngsters to want to read by letting them choose and keep books they like by showing them that reading is fun and important. The program works effectively for youngsters of any age (including children preschools, Head Start settings, and child care centers) and is designed to suit the needs of children from all backgrounds. RIF's national network provides technical assistance, book discounts, as well as ideas and information.
For more information contact: Reading is Fundamental, Inc, Programs Division 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20024-2569, 1-202-287-3220
Contact: Bradley R. Pine, Executive Director
Description: First Book, a nationwide nonprofit organization, gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to read and own their first new book. First Book works with existing community-based family-literacy, tutoring, and mentor programs to distribute new books to children who are at risk of failing at school or developing inadequate literacy skills. First Book targets children and families who, for economic or other reasons, have little or no access to books outside school. Through its book distributions, it encourages children to develop the self-confidence that owning a book can bring.
For more information contact: First Book, 1133 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1-202-393-1222
Title: Ready to Read: Preschool Program Manual
Type: Manual explaining how to implement the Ready to Read incentive-based read-a-thon.
Focus: Family literacy and early Preschool reading
Published by: Department of Education F.I.R.S.T
Project Date: 1994
Summary: This manual offers information for preschool caregivers interested in taking part in the Ready to Read reading program. Packet contains extensive information on all aspects of the program including directions, record keeping, bulletin boards, awards, parent letters, and success strategies.
For more information: Solano Beach School District, 309 North Rios Avenue, Solano Beach, CA 92075, 1-619-755-6319
Type: Booklet
Focus: Language, Emergent Literacy
Published by: Corporation for National Service, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Principle author: Derry Koralek
Summary: Booklet is filled with activities and ideas caregivers can use every day to help young children learn about language. Caregivers are given suggestions as to how they can work with families to support and build on the language skills children learn at home. Activities are presented for four age groups: young babies, crawlers and walkers, toddlers, and preschoolers.
For more information: This and many other publications are available on the Department of Education's internet web site at http://www.ed.gov/
Type: Booklet
Focus: Language, Emergent Literacy
Published by: Corporation for National Service, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Principle author: Derry Koralek
Summary: Booklet is filled with activities and ideas families can use every day to help young children learn about language. Families are given suggestions as to how they can work with caregivers to support and build on the language skills children learn at home. Activities are presented for four age groups: young babies, crawlers and walkers, toddlers, and preschoolers.
For more information: This and many other publications are available on the Department of Education's internet web site at http://www.ed.gov/
Type: Resource Directory
Focus: Children and Family Literacy
Published by: U.S. Department of Education
Date: 1996
Summary: Just Add Kids is an excellent resource directory of learning partners, reading sites, and other literacy services for families and communities who want to help their children improve their reading and writing skills through READ*WRITE*NOW and other literacy efforts. Also provides the names of national organizations that have volunteer learning partners at the local level, suggests potential sites for tutoring, and provides information on national literacy organizations.
For more information: Call 1-800-USA-LEARN
Type: Information Kit
Focus: Children with special needs
Published by: U.S. Department of Education
Date: 1996
Summary: Learning to Read, Reading to Learn offers a number of good resources for individuals working with children with special needs including sections offering tips for families, teachers, and principals. The 1996-7 Resource guide might be particularly useful for children working with early childhood groups.
For more information: Contact the Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs, 1-202-205-5465
Type: Booklet
Focus: Community Involvement
Author: Valora Washington, Valorie Johnson, Janet Brown McCracken
Published by: W.K. Kellog Foundation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Date: 1995
Summary: Contains compelling evidence of grassroots success in preparing schools and families for each other-gleaned from the achievements of the 20 diverse W.K. Kellog Foundation School Readiness Initiatives. Focuses on ways in which grassroots community groups can work with schools and families to improve children's health, nutrition, family and community stability,cultural competence, self esteem, and quality of early learning experiences.
For more information: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1509 16th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1426
Type: Book
Focus: Early Development and Learning
Author: Rima Shore
Published by: Families and Work Institute
Date: 1997
Summary: Rethinking the Brain, and the conference which inspired it, presents an overview of neuroscientists? recent findings about the brain and suggests how these insights can guide and support our nation's efforts to promote the healthy development of young children. An excellent and thorough document in common-sense language. Executive summary also available.
For more information: Families and Work Institute, 330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, 1-212-465-2044
Type: Booklet
Focus: Family Literacy
Author: Bernice Cullinan and Brod Bagert
Published by: U.S. Department of Education/OERI
Date: 1993
Summary: One in a series of books on education topics designed for family use. A fun book, this one provides a short run-down on facts, but the biggest part is made up of activities children and families can do together.
There are a number of early childhood education discussion groups (called listservs) available on the internet. You can join a free listserv by subscribing. To subscribe, send an email message to: listserv@address. Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the message, write: subscribe listservname yourfirstname yourlastname or subscribe listname your emailaddress. For early childhood information consider subscribing to:
There are also a number of web sites designed for individuals interested in early childhood issues, a number of which are listed below. Finally, if you need information about an education topic and are unable to find it on the Internet, you can send an electronic email message, containing your request for information and describing the topic you are interested in, to: askeric@ericir.syr.edu
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