READ from the START
Discover our family reading program based on story, rhythm and rhyme!
Program Description
READ from the START is centered on Family Reading. It is based on the
conviction that parents are children's first and most influential teachers.
If parents take pleasure in books, that pleasure will be conveyed to the
child. Infants are awesome learners. They can hear and comprehend at a
level several years ahead of their ability to read. We need only give them
the raw materials to work with, and they will become fascinated with language,
stories, and books as a natural outcome.
Our program offers a small collection of outstanding books appropriate for children
from infancy to age five. Each title has high parent appeal: Each has attractive,
colorful pictures that enhance an engaging story. Several introduce the three
Rs: repetition, rhythm, and rhyme.
READ from the START entails a sequence of group meetings with parents and other
care givers to read and enjoy the books and to discuss the ways that conversation
based on the stories can stimulate the development of the baby and of the bond
between parent and child. We discuss book selection and the importance of associating
the spoken word with print and image in the development of a child's mind. Parents
see for themselves how a love of reading is based on the pleasure associated
with word play, image, narrative, rhythm, and rhyme.
Description of a Typical Program
Storyteller Gladys Coggswell has written a detailed account of a two-session program.
Download our 2008 Tri-fold brochure (PDF)
The Books We Use
Many READ from the START parents have their first experience of owning a book because of this program. We love to give books away, and so do the many donors to this program! One donor has loved this program's effect on new families so much, that his or her donations (he or she is anonymous) have recently exceeded a quarter of a million dollars over a six-year period.
Here's our book list:
- Goodnight Moon (board book) by Margaret Wise Brown with pictures by Clement Hurd
- Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh
- Black on White (board book) by Tana Hoban
- Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat with pictures by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
In addition, we maintain an archive of the great monthly columns on family reading by Julie Douglas, our Family Program Specialist.
Request a 2-Session "RFTS" Program!
Fax or mail this program request - WORD format - 2008 revision
Fax or mail the same thing in PDF format - 2008 revision
Related Web Sites
READ from the START Web: A new web site for this program in 2008. We plan to implement state-of-the-art features such as podcasts, blogs, and ways for people all over the state to contribute content to the site.
Sesame Street Workshop: Ideas, activities and fun
Public Broadcasting Station Kids: Fun for children
GeoParent: Activities, coloring pages, articles
Scholastic: Learning and fun for parents, teachers, and families
I Am Your Child Campaign: Information, articles, & child development resources
The National Parenting Center: Articles and activities
U.S. Department of Education: Education information and resources
Berit's Best: Links to other web sites for children
