ERIC ED508338: Early Literacy: A Community Commitment. A Role for Business Leaders

2009·0.53 MB·English

by  ERIC

Early Literacy:
A Community Commitment
A Role for Business Leaders
Community Leadership Counts
Business owners are an integral part of the
community. As a neighborhood leader, you
contribute to the welfare of the community
and its members. As an employer, you
understand the importance of literacy and the
challenge of helping everyone learn how to
readR peraodfiicnigen itsly a. gateway to future
success…in school and in life.

How to build community support for
Results of the 2007 National Assessment of early literacy through partnerships
Educational Progress tell us that more than Ways to share early literacy resources
one-third of 4th graders (and an even higher with preschools and families
What Research Says About Early Literacy
number of our at-risk students) read so
poorly they cannot complete their schoolwork
successfully.
Knowing the key research findings can help
Sixty-nine percent of 8th grade students you inform colleagues about the issues,
fall below the proficient level in their ability make connections with preschool staff,
to comprehend the meaning of text at their and plan ways to support early literacy
grade level. initiatives to give every child a good start
in reading.
It’s critical to start early in helping children
develop the skills they will need to be successful. The years from birth through age 5 are a
By supporting early childhood literacy, you critical time for children’s development and
can make a difference in building awareness, learning. Learning to read begins well before
making connections, and sharing resources with children enter school.
pLreeascrhno aolbs oaundt: families in your community. Children who develop more literacy skills
in the preschool years perform better

in the primary grades. Providing young
What the research says about early children with the critical precursor skills to
literacy and its connection to future reading can offer a path to improved overall
learning achievement.
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Important Early Literacy Skills Writing letters:
for Learning How to Read
Writing letters in
i Pshoolantoiolong oinca rle mqueemsto orry :write own name
Remembering
The National Early Literacy Panel reviewed the
content of spoken language for a short
research and found that a young child’s ability to
Othpeerr Iimodp oofr ttiamnet Skills
talk, listen, and understand spoken and written
words is related• tor elaatderin ligteracy achievement in  Concepts about Print:
•
writing Knowing about
• print conventions (e.g., reading left-right,
spelling
front-back) and concepts (e.g., book cover,
a Purtinhot rK, nteoxwt)ledge:
Even before children start school, they can Knowing alphabet
become aware of systematic patterns of knowledge, concepts about print, and
sounds in spoken language, manipulate sounds early decoding
 Oral Language:
in words, recognize words and break them
apart into smaller units. They learn about the Being able to produce or
relationship between sounds and letters, and comprehend spoken language, including
build their oral language and vocabulary skills. v Voiscuaabul Plarroyc oers sgirnagm:mar
Although there is evidence of a link between Being able to match or
early literacy and later-developing literacy skills, d Riesacdriimngin Raetea dviisnueaslsly: presented symbols
some early literacy skills appear to be more A combination of
important than others in getting children ready skills including alphabet knowledge,
fMoro tshte Inmexpto srtetapn…tl eSarknililnsg how to read. concepts of print, vocabulary, memory,
and phonological awareness
 Alphabet Knowledge: Taking Action
Knowing about
Strong leadership from informed
the names and sounds associated with
business leaders can help meet this
p Prhionnteodlo lgetitcearls awareness: challenge through:
Being able

to detect, manipulate, or analyze the
•auditory aspects of spoken language learning about local early literacy needs, issues,
a nd raising awareness in the community
e.g., break words apart into smaller
sound units (e.g., syllables or phonemes, building business, community, and
 Raadpdidin agu otro dmealettiiznegd s noaunmdi nugn:its) educational partnerships to support local
e arly literacy initiatives
Being able
to quickly name a sequence of random supporting preschools, teachers, and
letters, numbers, objects and colors families
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professional events and meetings in the
Make Outreach
community

Get to know the educators in your
community and invite them to attend and
make presentations at business and other
Link Partners
community events and meetings

Bring people and resources together
Talk to Education Leaders
and connect them with early literacy
initiatives (e.g., through Rotary, Chamber
of Commerce, and other community
Learn about early childhood services in your
organizations)
community. Support Preschools and Families
Find out what’s happening in local preschools,
Reach out to families
child care centers, and elementary schools.

Discuss early literacy needs and issues in
Hold in-store activities that promote
your community with:
storybook reading
 preschool directors and teachers
Plan children’s events around music,
 principals and school board members
poetry, rhyming and, sound games
 community service organization staff
Provide free publications from early
local policymakers literacy federal agencies and professional
Create Partnerships
Supporograt npirzeasticohnosol teachers and
child care staff

Your central role in the community puts you
iDni sas uemniiqnuaet ep Ionsfiotiromn atoti obnuild partnerships. Offer special promotions for teachers and
caregivers

Par tSipciopnastoer i np rsecshcohoolo/cl oemvemntusnity activities at
Collect early literacy materials from national,
state, and local early childhood groups to 
share with colleagues, customers, and other
 schools, centers, and libraries
Network with Colleagues
community members
 community meetings and fundraisers

businesses (e.g., organize a literacy block
Use your visibility, resources, and
party for preschoolers)
business contacts to raise awareness at
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The National Early Literacy Panel
Its mission is to make evidence-based reading
research available to educators, parents,
The National Early Literacy Panel was
policymakers, and others with an interest in
convened in 2002 to conduct a synthesis
helping all people learn to read well.
of the most rigorous scientific research
available on the development of early literacy This publication was produced under
skills in children from birth to age 5. National Institute for Literacy Contract No.
ED-04-CO-0041 by RMC Research Corporation.
The primary purpose of the Panel was
The views expressed herein do not necessarily
to identify research evidence that would
represent the policies of the National Institute
contribute to decisions in early childhood
for Literacy. No official endorsement by the
educational policy and practice that could
National Institute for Literacy of any product,
help early childhood providers better
commodity, entity or enterprise in this
support young children’s language and
pLuebalrinca Mtioonr eis intended or should be inferred.
lEitaerrlayc yL idteevraelcoyp:m Ae Cnto.mmunity Commit-
ment is based on the Panel’s research
findings.
Visit the Institute’s website to download
copies of this product, learn more about early
literacy research, and download a copy of
The Institute, a federal agency, provides
the Panel’s report, Developing Early Literacy:
leadership on literacy issues, including the
Rwewpwor.nt oiflf .tghoev National Early Literacy Panel.
improvement of reading instruction for
children, youth, and adults.