A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n
America Reads Challenge: Ready*Set*Read for Caregivers - April 1997
Dear Caregiver:
Welcome to READY*SET*READ, an AMERICA READS CHALLENGE booklet that is filled with activities and ideas caregivers* can use every day to help young children learn about language. Children's language learning is rooted in the warm, loving environment of their homes and families. When caregivers work with families to support and build on the language skills children learn at home, children learn quickly. Most of the ideas in READY*SET*READ are simple to do, using materials found in your child care setting or at the library. These activities and ideas can be used with children as you play and do daily activities together.
The activities are presented for four age groups:
The ideas for one age group may also work for a younger or older child. Using what you know about each child's skills and interests can help you decide which activities to use. You can read the section for one age group now and save the others for later.
Children learn about language when their caregivers:
- Offer interesting books and play materials that match the children's skills, interests, and cultures
- Read aloud to children every day
- Keep reading and writing materials where children can reach them on their own
- Show children how they use reading and writing to learn, have fun, and get jobs done
- Listen to children's ideas, answer their questions, and model how language is used
Parents are their children's first teachers, but caregivers play an essential role in supporting the work begun at home.
On the next page are some simple tips to help the children in your care learn about listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These basic, daily activities can make a difference in children's language growth.
* In this booklet, "caregivers" refers to family child care providers and the teachers, staff, and volunteers in child development programs.
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[Acknowledgments] 
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[Tips for Caregivers for Language Learning]