Join Us! Virtual Storytime Fun Returns on January 7

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The sessions help families develop early literacy skills in our youngest learners — current and future preschoolers and kindergartners — in a fun manner.

It’s time for storytime! Aldine families, please gather your preschoolers and toddlers to enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and fun with some of our fantastic librarians and district staff. Families will also receive tips for their children to gain early literacy and language development skills. 

On the first and last Thursday of each month, AISD staff will narrate a different children’s book. Sessions are in English and Spanish.

Upcoming Storytime Sessions 

• Dates: Thursday, January 7 and Thursday, January 28
• Virtual link for all sessions: https://zoom.us/j/91286173652
• English sessions run from 5:00-5:30 p.m.
• Spanish sessions run from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Reading is the basis of learning. So how early should families begin to read to children?

“Families can start reading aloud to their baby as early as they like – the earlier, the better,” said Marco Zannier Virginillo, program director for library media services. “I encourage families not to wait too long to start reading to their children. If you don’t start early, it will be harder to get a child to love reading.”

Virginillo added that parents impact how children view reading. If a parent states they don’t like reading, children will have a negative attitude toward reading. He encourages families to read together because it promotes bonding and helps build their relationship with their children.

Dr. Martha Escalante, executive director of family and community engagement (FACE), said language, communication, and literacy are linked. She added that one of the best ways to encourage a love for reading is to create a language-rich environment. For example, ask children to talk about their day and talk about what they are doing. Talking, storytelling, playing, pretending, rhyming, engaging in activities (e.g., grocery shopping, working in the garden) together, and singing with children is just as important as reading to/with them. The FACE Department hosts the sessions.

“When most people talk about literacy, they’re talking about reading and writing,” Demedia Edwards, director of literacy, said. “But before children can read and write, kids need to learn about sounds and how we communicate in our world.”

Literacy skills begin with phonological awareness or recognizing spoken words, sounds, and syllables. Preschoolers learn through rhyming books and songs. Listening and using language is essential. Families should ask their children questions for a response. Edwards stated to have fun making up silly words. All these activities build literacy skills in young children. Reinforce basic reading principles by allowing preschoolers to act out reading. This type of play is critical before they learn to read. These activities help preschoolers figure out how a story comes out of a book. They are learning the meaning of words and context from pictures and memory.

As the district’s head of literacy, Edwards’ role is designed to align with AISD’s Student Achievement strategic plan’s work. Specifically, that all third-graders will read on or above grade level. The district is committed to ensuring our students are set up for a life of choices and opportunities. The director of literacy role is new, spotlighting the district’s focus on getting students to master skills early in their education, so they read on grade level. Aldine’s new literacy program launched over the summer, training staff to begin using the new program at the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Early literacy helps your child …

• to know sounds, words, and language, and develop early literacy skills
• spark your child’s imagination and stimulate curiosity — as they grow, encourage them to read material and genres that interest them
• develop their brain, ability to focus, concentration, social skills, and communication skills
• learn the difference between ‘real’ and ‘make-believe.’
• understand new or frightening events and the emotions that come with them
• develop empathy, tolerance, and other social skills
• learn about the world, their culture, and different cultures

Want to learn more about Aldine’s new literacy program? Join us at the free virtual #LiteracyMatters Conference on January 30! 

The district invites families interested in learning about the science of reading and how you can improve students’ literacy skills. Nationally recognized experts include Natalie Wexler and Meredith Liben. Keynote speakers are Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney, Susan Lambert, and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Todd Davis, with special sessions from TNTP, Robin McClellan, Janise Lane, and Karen Vaites. Click here to learn more or register online today!