Photo: A baby developing early literacy skills at the CLiF table at Burlington Parks & Rec’s annual Kids Day, May 2017 Yesterday, I got to spend my morning surrounded by adorable babies singing songs, flipping through board books, and playing along with their parents at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, VT’s weekly baby time. Talk about … Continued
In order to cater to their needs and create a powerful bond, it’s important for parents to really think like their children and take their perspective into consideration.
I’m going to share something with you that is totally embarrassing (promise not to tell anyone, ok?): It has been years since I have actually held a library card. Three and a half years, to be more specific. This seems especially mortifying to me, for several reasons: I love to read, and I do it … Continued
Question: Why is Marty Kelley, (right) author of the book Ladybug Award nominee Albert’s Amazing Almost Adventure and Almost Everyone Farts, reading The Organic Gardener’s Home Reference to elementary aged children? Answer: He read it to train them how to share books with others. Belmont Elementary School (BES) invited Marty to “train” their K-4th graders … Continued
While schools do a lot to promote and improve literacy skills in young readers, there is still a lot you can do at home to help your child succeed.
School starting again means having more things to do: pack lunches, attend meetings, do homework, participate in after-school activities, and the list goes on. While getting back into the swing of the school year is exciting, the shift from summer to fall is overwhelming and often results in the loss of well-formed, closely-followed, summer habits…such … Continued
Last week, more than 80 librarians from 71 towns across New Hampshire and Vermont gathered at the Briggs Opera House and Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, VT for CLiF’s semi-annual Rural Libraries Conference. It was a packed day of panels, workshops, and exciting prizes like a storytelling presentation by popular CLiF presenter Simon Brooks. … Continued
Children benefit when their parents take part, so become actively involved in all aspects of your child’s education. Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher early in the school year.
A look at how to help elementary students manage back to school stress and routines.
Walking into Camp Agape is wonderful. I’m greeted with smiles and cheers of “the storyteller’s here!” People might think kids who have a parent or caregiver or two under supervision of the Vermont Correctional Department might be nothing but trouble. Will kids with troubled backgrounds stay still and listen to folk and fairy tales? They … Continued
Here’s how to help your child thrive and survive during even the most volatile peer-pressure ridden years of their youth.
During my time at CLiF, Duncan McDougall lent me a short story called The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono. I developed the habit of reading to my sister before bed this summer and upon exhausting her extensive Junie B. Jones collection I convinced her to let me read Giono’s story. It only took … Continued
Want to make learning to read even more adventurous? There are so many reading games and activities that will not only help your child to improve reading skills but that are fun to play!
I can remember my Dad reading The Berenstain Bears to me while I slurped on veggie broth and soup noodles. I can remember my Mom reading Harry Potter to me after I’d showered and was in my pajamas. I can remember when I closed the first book I’d ever read all the way through. I … Continued
It should come as no surprise that the staff at CLiF – where our mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing among low-income, at-risk, and rural children in New Hampshire and Vermont – loves to read! Here’s what we’ve been reading this summer. Stephanie & the Kucinskas Family’s Summer Reads When … Continued
Your home offers a treasure chest of reading enrichment opportunities.
Did you know that today, July 13th, is National Summer Learning Day? Sponsored by the National Summer Learning Association, it’s a day of advocacy and nation-wide educational initiatives aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the school … Continued
As we celebrated our wider national community this July 4, CLiF wanted to share an example of “community literacy.” Spotlight on Morrisville, VT. CLiF first visited Morrisville in Summer 2015 when the Morristown After School Program (MASP) applied for the Summer Readers program. MASP participants have developed a relationship with David Martin over the past three … Continued
CLiF has served over 350,000 children since 1998.