Children must engage routinely in the challenging tasks of mastering foundational phonological skills. For children struggling to learn to read, this learning can look and feel very different from their peers. A child who displays avoidant behaviors about books may be a dyslexic child with unmet learning needs.
Readers of all ages can relate to the appeal of “curling up with a good book.” More than just a cozy idiom, the expression reminds us that comfort and surroundings shape the reading experience. Finding a space to read where one feels secure and at ease builds positive associations with the act, while fostering a sense of belonging.
Writing / Research / Literacy Activities / Education
Whether you are a CLiF partner taking a well-deserved break, fully engrossed in summer reading, or managing kids at home or in a program, we can still make summer fun intersect with reading and writing. CLiF offers ideas and insights to help keep excitement up around reading and writing for your students and for yourself!
General / Research / CLiF Spotlight / Education
“A book is like a garden, carried in the pocket.” Thank you to the late author and illustrator Lois Ehlert for her colorful books that remind us spring is coming. To everyone working hard on behalf of our kids: thank you. Thank you for all that you do, despite and because of another year of … Continued
Year of the Book / CLiF Spotlight / Education
Join us for another free virtual event this year, with all the most popular features of our typical in-person conference: training from our presenters, peer-to-peer sharing, updates on CLiF’s research and work, and books! The concepts presented by this talented group will inspire you to try new things, provide ideas that can scale to PK … Continued
General / Research / Literacy Activities / Education
To everyone working hard on behalf of our kids: thank you. Thank you for all that you do, despite and because of another year starting with COVID overlays and challenges. CLiF has open grants – we acknowledge that grant writing might not fit with the current demands on all educators’ time, but the applications are … Continued
General / Research / Education
CLiF celebrated eleven wins this fall – we kicked off all of our Year of the Book partnerships with in-person events! As we have navigated another fall of closures, shortages, and sickness, we have also succeeded in so many ways. Here are some articles and research pertinent to literacy work in our ever-evolving world. Thank … Continued
Every other year, CLiF offers its Rural LIbrary Conference – a gathering for Vermont and New Hampshire librarians to learn from each other and to gain practical advice on programming, collection developments, grant writing, policy creation, outreach, and more. This year, CLiF will move to a virtual format. This three-day event, held November 30 – … Continued
Research / Literacy Activities / Education
Welcome back to another year filled with pandemic-related challenges and opportunities for all educators. Despite variability on the way, CLiF has a full slate of Year of the Book and Rural Library partners and fall At-Risk applications open. CLiF continues to adjust programming in close collaboration with each partner to offer fun for children, staff, … Continued
From first through third grade, I was in a multi-age class taught by Mrs. A. I loved Mrs. A. She read to us every day and encouraged my passion for making up stories. She was the first teacher to tell me I was a talented writer and could be a real author in the future. … Continued
Remote learning and homeschooling are nothing new. But, they have become more popular over the last year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2021, 4.5-5 million children were being homeschooled in the U.S. For children with disabilities, home education provides many benefits. Some of the biggest pros include providing the necessary accommodations … Continued
Research / Literacy Activities / Book Recommendations / Education
Yahoo! Congratulations to all – students, teachers, administrators, parents, librarians, program providers, early educators – for navigating through the school year. While this list barely scratches the surface of those contributing to keeping our children healthy and learning, CLiF recognizes that the shift to summer comes with new challenges and opportunities for the same network … Continued
Book Club for Grown-ups / CLiF Spotlight / Education
It’s a busy few weeks at CLiF! During the pandemic, we’ve been offering free virtual programming for kids, families, educators, and the general public. We’ve got some exciting events coming up in the next week and we hope that you, your classroom/program, or family can join us. Illustrating Nature with Author/Illustrator Jason ChinThursday, April 22, … Continued
Literacy Activities / Education
For 23 years the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) has supported and inspired young readers and writers and their families in every corner of New Hampshire and Vermont. Here’s a list of free online resources to help entertain and inspire young readers and writers, as well to help adults share books and stories with children. Enjoy! … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to Jon Gailmor of Elmore, VT. Jon has been writing and performing music internationally since 1971. He finds inspiration in family, pets, fighting for equal treatment of all people, sports, Vermont, beautiful places, and current events. Watch a clip of Jon’s presentation from CLiF’s Virtual Author’s Series here. Things … Continued
Literacy Activities / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to John Steven Gurney of Brattleboro, VT. John wrote and illustrated the graphic novel series Fuzzy Baseball series and the picture book Dinosaur Train. He has illustrated over 140 chapter books, including the chapter books A to Z Mysteries, the Bailey School Kids, and The Calendar Mysteries series. He has illustrated board games, advertising, posters, puzzles, … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to Karen Gross of Bennington, VT and Washington, DC. Karen is an educator and author, writing books for both children (early-childhood through Grade 6) and adults. Her Lady Lucy Series is well-known and has been read to over 3000 children across the globe. Watch a clip of Karen’s presentation from CLiF’s … Continued
General / Presenter Profiles / CLiF Spotlight / Education
CLiF would like to introduce or re-introduce you to David Martin of Lyndonville, VT. David likes to write books about animals for new readers. He only saw himself as a writer after reading lots of books to his own kids, and never thought he would leave New York City. Watch a clip of David’s presentation … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.