Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community:
Emerging Literacy: Linking Social Competence to Learning
| Contents
| Preface
| Introduction
| Module 1
| Module 2
| Module 3
| Module 4 | |
Professional Development
Participants can undertake many activities to sustain and enhance the skills they develop through this guide. The following suggestions should be considered starting points.
CDA Program
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential demonstrates competence in early childhood education. Administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, it is considered the standard for the early childhood field. To learn about CDA requirements, call the Council at 800-424-4310 or write the Council at 2460 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009-3575.
College Courses
Many universities and community colleges offer courses in children's literature, child development, language development, and child study-- many include in-depth information on enhancing children's language and literacy development. You can take these courses independently (for credit or audit) or for fulfilling requirements for the CDA or a degree. Courses can also be designed specifically for your Head Start program. To find out about course offerings or to request specific courses, contact the admissions, continuing education, or adult education departments of your local university or community college.
NBCDI
The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) is a professional organization that advocates for black children. Its national membership addresses issues and policies that affect black children and their families. Its resources include a listing of books appropriate for use with young children. NBCDI publishes a quarterly newsletter, Black Child Advocate. For further information, call NBCDI at 202-387-1281 or write to NBCDI at 1463 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
Workshops/TrainingIn addition to workshops on language and emerging literacy, diversity, equity, and culture offered at national and regional conferences, a wide range of training opportunities are available. For further information, contact both of these organizations:
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) at 202-232-8777 or 800-424-2460 - National Head Start Association (NHSA) at 703-739-0875
Most states have NAEYC and NHSA affiliate chapters that sponsor workshops throughout the year. If you have Internet access, check out the following World Wide Web (WWW) sites:
- NAEYC: http://www.naeyc.org/naeyc/
- NHSA: http://www.nhsa.org/
Participants who become invested in the value of language and literacy may want to sponsor workshops on the topic. Taking a leadership role is one hallmark of strong and consistent professional development. Head Start staff could work through a community college, parent education program, local library, or family literacy program to offer a workshop on language and emerging literacy.
Develop Partnerships
Many community agencies operate family literacy programs. In order to enhance the skills of Head Start staff as they foster children's language and literacy development, partnerships may be developed with these literacy providers. The adult education division of your local education agency (LEA/public schools) and/or the local library system are appropriate first contacts regarding partnerships to explore the possibility of joint training's.
The America Reads Challenge encourages communities throughout the country to recruit, train, and organize reading specialists, volunteer coordinators, and volunteers who will work directly with children from preschool through the third grade. Head Start programs are key partners in this national effort. Its primary goal is to make sure that all American children will be able to read well and independently by the end of the third grade.
Through America Reads, communities can expand current literacy initiatives or develop new reading partnerships. Many colleges and universities are supporting America Reads through their work-study programs. Learn how America Reads is being implemented in your community and meet with other staff and families to discuss ways that Head Start can get
involved. To join the America Reads listserv, do the following:
- Send an e-mail message to Majordomo@etr-associates.org.
- Leave the subject line blank. (If your system requires you to include a subject, enter any text. It will be ignored.)
- In the body of the message, type: subscribe americareads.
- Turn off your signature file if you use one.
After joining, post your messages to AmericaReads@etr-associates.org.
Access this Web site to learn even more about America Reads and emerging literacy efforts:
http://www.bnkst.edu/americareads/americareads.html
Born to Read: How to Nurture a Baby's Love of Learning is a national demonstration project administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The overall goal of Born to Read is to help parents raise children with healthy bodies and minds. Born to Read builds partnerships between libraries and health care providers to reach out to new and expectant at-risk parents and help them raise children who are born to read. For information about how to organize a Born to Read program in your community, contact:
Born to Read ProjectAssociation for Library Service to Children
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Association of Youth Museums (AYM) is a professional service organization that endeavors to enhance the quality, expand the capacity, and further the vision of youth museums. AYM has worked on enhancing family literacy efforts in local communities.
Association of Youth Museums1775 K Street NW, Suite 595
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-4144
Copyright © 1999 Head Start Publications Management Center. All rights reserved.
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