Parents as Teachers
March 2020
Grow a Love of Reading
March is National Reading Month! Read Across America has dubbed March 2020 as "Grow a Love of Reading" month. As we discussed in our December newsletter, all kids, no matter how young, can enjoy reading time with a loved one. Lap-time reading, reading aloud, discussing and/or acting out the pictures, and asking questions all support healthy brain development, as well as overall child development. Even if your child gets up from your lap, or starts to play while you read aloud – keep reading! It’s ok if they’re busying themselves close to where you’re reading. As you continue, you might ask them questions, or point out the pictures to regain their interest. They may come back and sit with you, but it’s ok if they don’t; they’re still listening to all of that great language. Perhaps your child has a favorite book that they ask you to read over and over and over and over again. Know that continually reading the same book is hugely beneficial for all kids, and maybe check out some additional strategies below to try.
We've compiled several suggestions on how to grow your reader during the month of March:
- Add a snack time while reading. Check out #storytimesnacks for some cute ideas.
- Make your own puppets or felt characters to go with a story.
- Follow your child’s interests. Do they like trains, insects, animals? Find a book on that topic.
- Active movement books, like “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle, and others are great for those kiddos who love to move.
- Make your own book, using folded paper or stapled paper, and create your own story.
- Going to visit the grandparents or to the zoo? Find a book to support your upcoming trip or family activity.
- Read in the tub! Or other transitions. Keep some books in the car, or read a book while you wait for the timer to go off for dinner.
- Your child will love you no matter what, so go for all the funny voices and characters! Earn that next Reading Oscar.
- Rebus books have the picture instead of the word, and are an all-time favorite. Your budding reader can help you figure out what word comes next.
- Poetry and rhyming is all sorts of fun to read out loud. Pause at the end and point out the rhyming words. Can you think of other words that rhyme?
- Song books can also be a favorite. “Baby Beluga” by Raffi is often a family favorite.
- Need some help singing? Find a cd or song to pair with your book. There’s lots of CDs available at the library, or even on YouTube.
- Audio books are another great option. Great anytime, but also fun for a long car ride. Follow along in your book. Do you have family that live far away? Have them record themselves (audio and/or visual) reading a book that your child has at home.
- Use books to talk about emotions, or how to empathize with the character. “How would you feel?”
- Build a reading fort with blankets and use flashlights to read.
- Encourage your child to use the pictures and visual cues from the book to tell you the story.
- Have baskets of books throughout the house. Try swapping out books in different baskets so there’s some in the main area of the house so your child can pick up a book anytime.
- Does your child have a beloved book that they know by heart? Try switching up a few silly words and see if they catch your mistakes!
- Think up extra verses. Just read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr.? Go through your play animals at home and see what your animals see.
- Can you and your child act out a favorite book? Think of it as book charades.
- Did you know the St. Charles County Library has 13 branches? Have you explored them all? Go on an adventure and find your favorite.
Let us know on Twitter or Instagram, or let your Parent Educator know on your next visit, what you did to Grow Your Reader this month!
Dr. Seuss’ birthday is Tuesday, March 2!
Read some much-loved Dr. Seuss books, make up some of your own poems, and celebrate.
Stay & Play: Dr. Seuss
Come celebrate a great author with us as we explore exciting children’s books with hands on activities!
Please RSVP by Friday, March 13, 2020.
Location: Wentzville School District Berrey Place Center
Address: 1 Campus Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Time: 9:00-10:00am OR 6:00-7:00pm
Parent Group: Play With Me!
Play is important for all children, and it’s the way they learn best. Through play they can begin to make sense of the world around them, seek opportunities to problem-solve, express their thoughts or feelings, and develop socially, in addition to all areas of development. In this group we will offer a two-part class. The first half will focus on sharing information and skills with parents, and in the second half, we will invite our families to come and play at a variety of stations, practicing some of those skills we discussed. Come ready to learn, have fun, and support your child’s play.
Please RSVP here.
Where: Barfield Early Childhood Center
BEC 2025 Hanley Rd. Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368
When: Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Time: 5:45-7:00pm DINNER available 5:15-5:45pm
**Dinner and childcare are provided
Baby Bunch
Baby Bunch invites those families with kiddos under 2 years of age to come and play together. This month we will focus on dramatic play. We'll enjoy some pretend play while we cook, have a picnic, and take care of baby dolls.
When: March 19, 2020
Time: 9:00am-10:00am OR 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Berrey Place Center
1 Campus Drive, Wentzville, MO 63385
The Wentzville School District Board of Education has voted unanimously to place two propositions on the April 7, 2020 ballot to accommodate the continued growth of the District, as well as the need for additional staff and wage increases to help close the gap between the WSD and neighboring districts.
PROPOSITION C is a $105 million no-tax-increase bond issue to build a new middle school on the same site where the District is currently building a fourth high school, to expand and renovate the District’s three existing middle schools, to address maintenance issues at existing buildings and purchase items related to school safety.
PROPOSITION S is a $0.49 tax levy to address staffing and provide needed support across the District, improve salaries to address widening wage gaps between the WSD and neighboring school districts, and to update and add safety features across the District.
More information can be found here.
Fun Fridays and Evenings Outisde
Parent Group: Food Wars
Lisa Cooseman from Leaps and Bounds will be here to present.
Is mealtime a struggle? How do you get your child to try new foods? Do you find yourself preparing separate meals? How many snacks should kids have during the day? This training will discuss some of the daily struggles toddlers and young children have as well as tips to manage your picky eater.
Stay & Play: Spring Fling
Help us celebrate that spring has sprung! We will explore the season of spring while creating some neat flower art projects, making wind chimes, and a few egg activities.
Parents as Teachers
Website: www.wentzville.k12.mo.us/domain/79
Location: 1 Campus Drive
Phone: 636-327-3863
Twitter: @WentzvillePAT