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PEEL LIBRARIES

Brampton Library Branches Tel: 905-857-1400 Mississauga Public Library Tel: 905-793-INFO (4636) Tel: 905-615-3500 Albion-Bolton Branch Lorne Park Library Chinguacousy Branch 150 Queen St. S Central Library 1474 Truscott Dr. 150 Central Park Dr. 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W Alton Branch Malton Library Cyril Clark Branch 35 Station Rd. Burnhamthorpe Library 3540 Morning Star Dr. 20 Loafer’s Lake Lane 3650 Dixie Rd., Ste. 101 Belfountain Branch Meadowvale Library Gore Meadows 17247 Shaw’s Creek Rd. Churchill Meadows Library 6677 Meadowvale Town Centre Community Centre and Library 3801 Thomas St. Circle 10150 The Gore Rd. Caledon Village Branch 18313 Hurontario St. Clarkson Library Mississauga Valley Library Four Corners 2475 Truscott Dr. 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd. 65 Queen St. E Caledon East Branch 6500 Old Church Rd. Cooksville Library Port Credit Library South Fletcher's Branch 3024 Hurontario St. Ste. 212 20 Lakeshore Rd. E 500 Ray Lawson Blvd. Inglewood Branch 15825 McLaughlin Rd. Courtneypark Library Sheridan Library Northeast Interim Site 730 Courtneypark Dr. W 2225 Erin Mills Pkwy. 55 Mountainash Rd., Unit 24, Margaret Dunn Valleywood Branch 20 Snelcrest Dr. Erin Meadows Library South Common Library Mount Pleasant Village Branch 2800 Erin Centre Blvd. 2233 South Millway Dr. 100 Commuter Dr. Frank McKechnie Library Streetsville Library Caledon Public Library 310 Bristol Rd. E. 112 Queen St. S Lakeview Library Woodlands Library 1110 Atwater Ave. 1030 McBride Ave.

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Calendar January to December 2013

Family Literacy

HUM-0227 cover_Calendar-Cover 13-01-07 12:28 PM Page 2 What is early literacy?

Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they learn to read and write. We know that children get ready to read years before they start school. You can help your baby and toddler learn important skills now so they can become good readers. You are the key to helping your child get ready to read • We encourage early literacy when we talk, read, sing and listen to our children. • Children learn best when they are in a good mood, and you know their moods best. • Children learn by doing things and they love doing things with you. • Give them opportunities to play and do. • Read with your child everyday. • Provide a space where books are available everyday. • Choose books that suit the age of your child – board books for babies, picture books for toddlers and story books for preschoolers. • Provide books that have topics that interest your child. • Ask your public library for the names of books to read to babies and toddlers. • Ask about library programs that you and your child can enjoy together.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Birth Certificates...... 1-800-461-2156 Maternity Benefits (EI)...... 1-800-206-7218 www.ontario.ca/en/residents/index.htm www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/benefits/maternityparental.shtml Child Care Info Peel…..(Bram/Miss) 905-890-9432 (Caledon)...... 1-888-836-5550 Newcomer Information Centre...... (Bram) 905-595-0722, 905-457-4747 www.cdrcp.com/ccip/child-care-info-peel (Miss) 905-279-0024 Child Tax Benefits...... 1-800-387-1193 www.tcet.com/nic www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cctb Peel Children’s Aid Society...... 905-363-6131 or 1-888-700-099 Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud...... 416-397-6564 www.peelcas.org www.csdccs.edu.on.ca Peel Children’s Centre...... 905-795-3500 Conseil scolaire Viamonde...... 416-614-0844 or 1-888-538-1702 www.peelcc.org www.csviamonde.ca Peel District School Board ...... 905-890-1099 or 1-800-668-1146 Duf ferin Peel Catholic District School Board...... 905-890-1221 or 1-800-387-9501 www.peel.edu.on.ca www.dpcdsb.org/cec Telehealth Ontario...... 1-866-797-0000 Kids Help Phone Line...... 1-800-668-6868 www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/telehealth www.kidshelpphone.ca

Learn more about early literacy and child development, visit: www.readingrockets.org www.frp.ca www.zerotothree.org www.getreadytoread.org HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 1

Region of Peel, Children’s Services

Free Programs, Workshops, and Resources The Family Literacy Program is a series of nine free workshops that St. John Fisher Neighbourhood Learning Place is a drop-in program provide parents with the skills to help their child learn pre-reading, numeracy for parents/caregivers and their children, up to six years of age. A variety of and pre-writing skills. These workshops are offered in English, French, Punjabi family-centred programs and activities are offered to help prepare children for and Mandarin. Parents and children work together on activities that are fun school. Call 905-793-8900. and help prepare children for school. Call 905-791-1585, ext. 7222 or email A Children’s Drop-in Program is available for families in our shelters that [email protected]. offers early learning programs. The program serves families with children from Parenting Workshops provide an opportunity to refresh your parenting birth to six years of age in emergency and women’s shelters. skills, learn new information and make connections with other parents in The Valley Infant Parent Program is a unique program that offers the services your community. Child care is available, which delivers a fun literacy and of two agencies; working together to provide an intensive, therapeutic program that numeracy-based program. A light meal is provided for adults and children. supports the development of a healthy attachment between parents and their Call 905-791-1585, ext. 7221 or email [email protected] infants. The program is offered to children under the age of 36 months. A referral Early Literacy Workshops are available to parents and community service can be made by a community service provider or directly by parents. Call Child Care providers such as Ontario Early Years Centres, hubs and readiness centres, early SNAP-Peel at 905 791-1585, ext. 7627 (SNAP). learning and child care programs. Call 905-791-1585, ext. 7222 or email The Region of Peel’s Brampton West Nursery School is a half day licensed [email protected]. program for children aged 2.5 – 5 years old. The program is licensed for 16 children; Children’s Services operates 12 child care centres and provides fee subsidy 4 of those spaces are designated for children with special needs. The program offers to help cover the cost of child care in over 400 licensed child care centres care Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. year round. Families have the flexibility to across Peel. Call 905-791-1585. enrol for two, three or five mornings a week. In building community capacity the Child Care Special Needs Access Point (SNAP) – Peel provides a Nursery School works in collaboration with external agencies that support early central referral service for families with children from birth to six years of age child development and identification. Call 905-791-1585, ext. 5903. that require special needs resourcing. The Valley Infant Parent Program Peel Public Health Nurses are available to answer questions about pregnancy, (VIPP) is offered in partnership with Peel Children’s Centre, to help parents and birthing, having a baby, taking care of a new baby, breastfeeding and children up to caregivers who may be having difficulty bonding with their infant. age six. Public Health Nurses can al so connect you with local community resources. Call 905 791-1585, ext. 7627 (SNAP). Call 905-799-7700. Caledon residents can call 905-584-2216. Visit Learning In Our Neighbourhood (LION) vehicles are mobile early parentinginpeel.ca or facebook.com/parentinginpeel. learning resource centres for children from birth to six years and their families. For more information about programs, workshops or resources, call 905-791-1585 They offer free early learning programs and information about community or toll free 1-888-309-6644. resources and services in Peel for families. Call 905-286-4455 (Mississauga), 905-677-6270 (Brampton East), 905-452-1973 (Brampton West). HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 2

Helping children get ready for school

Learning is not just for children. In fact, research shows that when parents Early Years Hubs are staffed with a kindergarten teacher, educational resource and caregivers get involved in their children’s education at an early age, facilitator, part-time social worker, part-time speech language pathologist and an they are more likely to succeed in school (National Literacy Trust 2010). The outreach worker. Peel District School Board’s four Early Years Hubs, ten Readiness Social skills, literacy and numeracy skills are taught through a variety of activities Centres and six Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, as well as and games at both the hubs and readiness centres. Caregivers can read and play the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s five Parenting and with their children, while learning valuable skills they can use at home. Family Literacy Centres help families make the transition to school much easier. The hubs and readiness centres are designed for children from The four hubs also provide newcomer settlement services for birth to four years of age, accompanied by their caregivers. families.

Early Years Hubs Eastbourne Drive Public School Parenting and Family Peel Catholic District School Brian W. Fleming Public School 702 Balmoral Dr., Brampton Literacy Centres Board Parenting and Family 3255 Havenwood Dr., Mississauga 905-792-2264 Ellengale Centre Literacy Centres 905-625-3220, ext. 2 Floradale Public School 3480 Ellengale Dr., Mississauga Canadian Martyrs School Lancaster Public School 210 Paisley Blvd. W., Mississauga 905-890-1010, ext. 6041 1185 Mississauga Valley Blvd., Mississauga 7425 Netherwood Rd., Mississauga 905-275-1090 Hewson Public School 905-275-0094 905-677-3804 Forest Glen Public School 235 Father Tobin Rd., Brampton Christ The King School Oakridge Public School 3400 Ponytrail Dr., Mississauga 905-890-1010, ext. 6044 3240 Garthwood Rd., Mississauga 2060 Stonehouse Cres., Mississauga 905-625-1462 Massey Public School 905-569-0220 905-274-9438 Hickory Wood Public School 95 Massey St., Brampton Holy Cross School Sir Winston Churchill Public School 630 Ray Lawson Blvd., Brampton 905-890-1010, ext. 6045 3615 Morning Star Dr., Malton 89 Ardglen Dr., Brampton 905-459-8876 Morton Way Public School 905-677-5660 905-459-0890 Janet I. McDougald Public School 200 Morton Way, Brampton St. Teresa of Avila School 1239 Lakeshore Rd., E. Mississauga 905-890-1010, ext. 6043 6675 Montevideo Rd., Mississauga Readiness Centres 905-278-3396, ext. 101 Sir Wilfrid Laurier Centre 905-890-1221 Aloma Crescent Public School Marvin Heights Public School 364 Bartley Bull Pkwy., Brampton St. Monica School 57 Aloma Cres. , Brampton 7455 Redstone Rd., Mississauga 905-890-1010, ext. 6042 60 Sterritt Dr., Brampton 905-796-4561 905-677-1526 6th location to be determined 905-454-6346 Corsair Public School Ridgewood Public School Call 905 890-1010, ext. 2363 for info 2230 Corsair Rd., Mississauga 7207 Cambrett Dr., Mississauga 905-279-1511 905-677-1350 Dunrankin Public School 3700 Dunrankin Dr., Mississauga 905-677-2202 HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 3

Ontario Early Years Centres in Peel (OEYC)

Did you know? Ontario Early Years Centres offer free services for • Parent education workshops and resources parents, caregivers and children up to age six that help families enrich • Information about services in your community the early years. • A fun, safe and family friendly environment to play and learn Programs and services include: with your child • Early learning, numeracy and literacy programs For more information, visit peelearlyyears.com • Information abo ut pregnancy, parenting and child development

Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale Mississauga Centre #Mississauga West Malton Neighbourhood Services Family Day Care Services Mississauga Parent Child Resource Bramalea Civic Centre Grand Park Centre Plaza Centres 150 Central Park Dr., Unit 101 719 Central Pkwy. W. Brittany Glen Plaza Brampton, ON L6T 1B4 Mississauga, ON L5B 4L1 5602 Tenth Line W., Unit 106 905-791-9650 905-566-4785 Mississauga, ON L5M 7L9 [email protected] [email protected] 905-286-4455 [email protected] #Brampton Centre Mississauga East Brampton Parent Child Resource Centres Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre Caledon 180 Sandalwood Pkwy. E., Unit 8C Cherry Hill Public School Caledon Parent-Child Centre Brampton, ON L6Z 4N2 3160 Tomken Rd. 150 Queen St. S. 905-495-3430 Mississauga, ON L4Y 2Y6 Bolton, ON L7E 1E3 [email protected] 905-276-6392 905-857-0090 [email protected] [email protected] #Brampton West – Mississauga Child Development Resource Connection Mississauga South #French programs available Peel Mississauga Parent Child Resour ce Centres 57 Mill St. N., Unit 105 Turtle Creek Plaza All of the main centres offer satellite locations Brampton, ON L6X 1S9 1801 Lakeshore Rd. W., Unit 101 905-452-1973 Mississauga, ON L5J 1J6 For more information call [email protected] 905-822-1114 905-890-9432 [email protected] Caledon 1-888-836-5550 TTY 905-890-8089 peelearlyyears.com HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 4

January: Talk to your child

“Parents give their babies and young children an advantage when they talk with them, read with them, listen and respond to their babbles, gestures and words. Through conversations and interactions, children have an advantage to increase their language development.” (Hamer. C, 2012, National Literacy Trust) I love you, You love me I love you, you love me We are all a family With a great big hug And a kiss from me to you Then you say You love me too. Ideas for parents: • Include your child in the conversation, listen to what they have to say, and model good language. • Talk about everyday activities at home or when you are out. Make dinner together, play games or go grocery shopping. Any activity you do together provides real experiences in listening and speaking. • Give children time to respond, make eye contact, and be a good listener. These will all teach children good communication skills. • Ask open ended questions “tell me about your day?” or “what did you like about the book?” This strategy opens up communication between you and your child. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 5

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12345 Enjoy local community activities for Family Literacy Day at Libraries, OEYCs, Early Years Hubs, Readiness Centres, and Parenting and Family Literacy Centres! New Year’s Day 678910 11 12

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27 28 29 30 31 Register for FREE Family Literacy Workshops. 905-791-1585, ext. 7222 or www.peelregion.ca/children/workshops Family Literacy Day

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February: Read to me and help me become a reader

“The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading, is reading aloud to children.” (U.S. Departmental of Education, 2006) Read to me by Jane Yolen Read to me riddles and read to me rhymes Read to me stories of magical times Read to me tales about castles and kings Read to me stories of fabulous things Read to me pirates and read to me knights Read to me dragons and dragon-book fights Read to me spaceships and cowboys and then When you are finished – please read them again. Ideas for parents: • Read with your child as often as you possibly can and allow your child to choose books that he or she would like you to read. This makes reading aloud more enjoyable for your child. • Read and re-read favourite stories. Repetition is great for language development. • Talk about the pictures, the story, and what will happen next to involve your child in the story. • Read a variety of books, stories, nursery rhymes, riddles, poetry, picture books, books with no words and concept books. • Be a good role model, let your child see you reading. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 7

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 R – Be a role model to your child E – Enjoy reading together A – Allow your child to choose their books D – Read daily

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Family Day 24 25 26 27 28 Register for FREE Family Literacy Workshops. 905-791-1585, ext. 7222 or www.peelregion.ca/children/workshops

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March: Help me learn math

“By the time they are only one year old, most babies can recognize when one group of objects has ‘more’ than another. When they are still toddlers, they are already learning to count and understand the meaning of numbers.” (Centre for Excellence for Early Childhood Development). Ten Fluffy Chicks Five eggs and five eggs (Hold up five fingers and five fingers.) That makes ten. (Wiggle ten fingers.) Sitting on top is the Mother Hen (Lock fingers together, knuckles up.) Crackle, crackle, crackle, what do I see? (Clap hands.) Ten fluffy chickens as yellow as can be. (Hold up ten fingers.) Ideas for parents: • Ask your child to help you set the table. Talk about how many dishes, spoons and forks you will need. Count one for each person. • Count steps as you climb them, at home or other places you visit. • P our different amounts of juice, milk or water into glasses for family members. Ask who has the most, who has the least, who has the same. • Fold laundry together and talk about size. Then ask your child which pile is the biggest or the smallest? • Bake cookies with your child. Talk about measurements and what goes in next. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 9

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12 Simple Tuna Spread Ingredients: Instructions: 1 (8 oz) Package cream cheese, softened In a bowl, combine cream cheese and salsa; stir in parsley and onion. 3 tbsp Salsa Fold in tuna. Refrigerate until serving. Serve on bread, snack rye or crackers. 2 tsp Dried parsley flakes 1 tsp Dried minced onion 1 (6 oz) Can tuna, drained and flaked 3456789

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Good Friday

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April: Reading all around us

“Children often learn to recognize packages, signs and television advertisements prior to reading books.” (Kirkland, 2006) Traffic Light Twinkle, twinkle traffic light Shining on the corner bright. When it’s green it’s time to go; When it’s red it’s STOP! You know. Twinkle, twinkle traffic light Shining on the corner bright. "Stop!" says the Red light; "Go!" says the Green. "Wait!" says the Yellow, Till the light is Green. Ideas for parents: • Point out to your child different signs in the community. • Write out a shopping list in front of your child and talk about what you are doing. • Draw attention to print on packages. Point out the words on a cereal box, the numbers on a clock to tell time, the name of the street you live on, etc. • Look at advertisements in newspapers, maga zines and on television and talk about what the ad is for. • Cook your child’s favourite foods together with them. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 11

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Play simple board games with your child such as Checkers, Snakes and Ladders and Memory.

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May: Activities to make language fun

“Children learn best when they play and interact with others. Learning to co-operate, negotiate, take turns and play by the rules are important lifetime skills, all of which play fosters.” (Jane K. Frobose, 2008) Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can; Pat it and prick it and mark it with a ‘B’, And put it in the oven for Baby and me. Ideas for parents: • Match real objects to pictures in a book or magazine. • Include dress up clothes and materials for role play. • Provide chalk or paintbrush and water to make letters on the sidewalk. • ”Simons Says” and “I Spy” are great language-rich activities. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 13

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Clap with your child to the small sounds (syllables) of their favourite songs. Singing builds literacy too!

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Victoria Day 26 27 28 29 30 31

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June: Get it “write”

“By developing muscles in the hands and fingers, children increase their strength and ability to handle and control objects. Hand skills and other pre-writing skills will prepare your child for writing.” (CAOT, 2012) Ten Fingers I have ten fingers (hold up both hands, fingers spread) And they all belong to me, (point to self) I can make them do things – Would you like to see? I can shut them up tight (make fists) I can open them wide (open hands) I can put them together (place palms together) I can make them all hide (put hands behind back) I can make them jump high (hands over head) I can make them go low (touch floor) I can fold them up quietly (fold hands in lap) And hold them just so. Ideas for parents: • Provide an area with materials to practice drawing and writing. Use crayons, pens, pencils, markers, pastels and chalk for drawing and writing. • Provide materials that help to develop the small muscles in the hand such as clothespins, play dough, fasteners, bottles with lids that can be opened and closed, beads for stringing, scissors, and books to practise turning the pages. • Make a book with your child using old photographs and pictures. Talk about what the pictures are about and then write down what was said. • Scribbling is early writing – encourage their efforts. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 15

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Add to a box: paper, junk mail, flyers, magazines, pencils, pens, crayons, chalk and envelopes, so that your child has writing tools available at all times.

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July: Playing with language

“Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.”(American Academy of Paediatrics, 2012) Rain on the Green Grass Rain on the green grass Rain on the tree Rain on the rooftop But not on me. Ideas for parents: • Encourage your child to put on a show for the family. Use dress up clothes, puppets and hats. Let him/her pick the show topic. • Provide dress up clothes and props. Use old clothes, necklaces, ties, or something from a garage sale for creative play. • Boxes, blankets and cushions make great forts, castles and hideaways. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 17

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Check out free summer reading programs and activities at your local library.

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August: Let it move you!

“Before you write or speak there is a physical response. To help children learn they need to use a variety of their senses, which is achieved through active participation in their learning process.” (NAEYC, 2010) Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around, Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground, Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights, Teddy bear, teddy bear, say "good night". Ideas for parents: • Sing songs like “Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes.” • Put some music on and dance together. • Use large sidewalk chalk to draw and trace together. • Play sports, talk about the rules of the game, connect words to body movements (run, jump, skip etc.) • Read a book or sing a song with lots of actions (We’re Going on a Bear Hunt). HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 19

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Best Playdough Recipe 123 Ingredients: 2 cups of plain flour, 4 tablespoons of cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, 1/2 cup of salt, 2 cups of boiling water, food colouring Instructions: Just pop it all in a mixing bowl and mix! (Be careful of the boiling water.) Activity builders: Add a garlic press, Popsicle sticks

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September: Turn off the screens

Paediatricians in Ontario encourage parents to: • Set a limit of no more than two hours of screen time per day. • Ensure that children have some type of rigorous physical activity every day. • Ensure that children have access to a healthy and balanced diet. (Ontario Medical Association, 2012) Star Light Star Bright Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight. Ideas for parents: • Make a habit to watch TV with your child. • Make a list of shows your child can watch. Let him/her choose from your list. • Make rules about times your children can watch television or play video games. Include your child in making the rules. • Take time to explain the content of what your children see and help them to understand the programs they watch. • Look for other things to do together, involve your children in daily routines. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 21

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October: Nursery rhyme fun

“Child development and literacy experts discovered that children who know eight Nursery Rhymes by heart by the time they start school (age four years), are usually among the best readers by the time they are eight years old. Children who learn to rhyme are beginning to learn about the sounds inside of words.” (Fox, M. (2001). Reading Magic San Diego. CA. Harcourt.)

My Five Senses I see see see, with my eyes. I hear hear hear, with my ears. I smell smell smell, with my nose. Come near me! Come, come close! I taste taste taste, with my tongue. I touch touch touch, with my hand. Come near me! Come, come close! Ideas for parents: • Have fun helping your child learn plenty of nursery rhymes. Say them together in the car, at the doctor’s office, say them for the grandparents, say them everywhere! • Play rhyme games often – take turns giving a word that your child will find a rhyme for (e.g. car, jar etc.). • Sing songs together, read books with rhymes. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 23

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12345 Children who know eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they are four years old become better readers. (Child Care Resource and Referral)

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November: Talk to your child in your first language

“The most recent evidence suggests that intensive support for the home language during the preschool years will help – not hurt – long-term attainment in English. Young children can learn nursery rhymes, songs, extended vocabulary, and early literacy skills in English and their home language with adult support.” (Espinsoa, 2008 Foundation for Child Development) Deux Grandes Yeux Deux grandes yeux pour regarder, Un petit nez pour respirer, Une bouche pour goûter, Un grand coeur pour aimer! Ideas for parents: • Encourage use of your first language. • Read to your child in your first language. • Make your own books by turning photo albums into stories with pictures and words. • Borrow dual language books from the library. • Play language games like “I spy” in your first language. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 25

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Explore dual language books with your child.

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Remembrance Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

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December: Get ready to read

“Early experiences are important for children’s development. Opportunities for developing reading skills can be created by providing a print-rich environment, which includes various reading materials (storybooks, magazines, calendars, pamphlets, menus and maps). Adults can support development by engaging in conversations and observing and making connections to children’s life experiences.” (NAEYC, 2009) What is a Book? Lora Daunt A book is pages, pictures and words A book is animals, people and birds A book is stories of queens and kings Poems and songs-so many things! Curled in a corner where I can hide With a book I can journey far and wide Though it’s only paper from end to end A book is a very special friend. Six Pre-Reading Skills: • Narrative Skills – ask your child to describe things and events, tell each other stories, or make up stories together. • Print Motivation – help your child become interested in books, help them to enjoy books and show them that you like to read for pleasure, as well as for learning. • Vocabulary – talk to your child and encourage them to “pretend play.” • Phonological Awareness – help them to hear the smaller sounds in words – nursery rhymes are great for this. • Letter Knowledge – Look at letters all around you, in the community, in your home, play “I Spy.” • Print Awareness – Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book, and knowing how to follow the words on a page. HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 27

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New Year’s Eve

December 2013 HUM-0227 inside reprint V5 Final_Calendar 8.5x11 13-01-07 12:17 PM Page 28

A health checklist for parents

My child has had his/her eyes checked during the preschool years. To find an optometrist in your area, consult the Ontario Association of Optometrists at optom.on.ca.

My child has had his/her hearing checked since birth. If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, or your child has had repeated ear infections, please consult your family doctor.

My child has been to the dentist by his/her first birthday and goes for annual check ups. To find a dentist, visit the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario at rcdso.org.

My child brushes his/her teeth morning and night for two minutes each time, and flosses once a day.

My child has had a physical check-up with a doctor in the last year. To find a family doctor in your area, call your local hospital or consult the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Health Care Connect program at 1-800-445-1822 or health.gov.on.ca.

My child’s immunizations are up-to-date.

My child has breakfast everyday and it includes food from at least three of the four food groups (vegetables/fruit, grains, meats and alternatives, and milk products).

My child’s routine includes at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night. He/she wakes up well rested.

My child’s daily routine includes at least 60 minutes of active play. HUM-0227 cover_Calendar-Cover 13-01-07 12:28 PM Page 2 What is early literacy?

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Learn more about early literacy and child development, visit: www.readingrockets.org www.frp.ca www.zerotothree.org www.getreadytoread.org HUM-0227 cover_Calendar-Cover 13-01-07 12:28 PM Page 1

PEEL LIBRARIES

HUM-0227 12/12

Calendar January to December 2013

Family Literacy