Workshop

Set-up: Set up the room for group discussion initially, and then for participants to gather in small groups for reading aloud later. Gather a selection of storybooks for participants to use when they practice reading aloud. Obtain several additional books from each category in the guide, displaying them (grouped by category) on tables for browsing at the end of the session. Include books for parents to check out and read with their children at home. Of course this is an ideal workshop to hold in a school or public library, where families can readily check out books. Print enough copies of the guide for each participant/family to have one.

Terms & Concepts to Emphasize: These terms are explained and expanded upon in the glossary of the booklet and by links in the on-line versions. Taking time to help participants understand and use these important ideas will help them become more effective as they interact with children:

• Pretend Reading
  
  
• Scribble Writing
  
  
• Accepting vs. Correcting Speech
  
  
• Public Print
  
  
• Helping Children Learn to Print
  

Program Outline

1. Introduction—15 minutes. Introduce topic through brief lecture on Language Development from the beginning of the booklet. Give participants time to browse the lists of "How Your Child's Language is Growing" (developmental expectations or goals) and "How You Can Help." Invite their input regarding strategies they have successfully tried.

2. Present Reading Aloud Content—15 minutes. Provide instruction about the concepts presented in "How to Read to Your Preschooler," by pointing out the guidelines, demonstrating them yourself as you read a book aloud. Demonstrate two or three of the suggestions for before, during and after reading a book.

3. Group Read-Alouds—20 min. Invite participants to choose a book from your pre-selected display, and then practice reading aloud in small groups with persons with whom they feel comfortable. When their read-alouds are finished, ask participants to share techniques that were particularly successful and easy to implement.

4. Present Playing With Stories Content—10 min. Briefly explain the importance of playing with stories, and point out the sections of the guide that contain suggestions for ways to play with stories.

5. Discuss Favorite Books—15-20 min. Ask participants to try to recall favorite books from their childhoods. Connect their memories to the categories listed at the end of the guide. Briefly note the significance and characteristics of each book category recommended in the guide, pointing out where they are in your display. Invite participants to browse, read and talk about the books.

6. Summary/Wrap-Up—10 min. Urge the participants to try some of the techniques and share some of the suggested books with their children. Note that you will discuss their results at the next meeting.