Community Connections: January - February 2006 newsletter

The Community Connections Communicator
January - February 2006

In this Issue:

The theme of this month’s issue is Creating Literacy Connections. What is early literacy? Why is it important? How can I tap into programs which promote literacy? If you’ve ever asked any of these questions, this newsletter is for you.

In this newsletter you will find information on how to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop a love for reading. You will also find developmentally appropriate ideas to help enhance your child’s literacy skills. Ideas on helping school aged children continue to enjoy reading will also be discussed. If you are ready to have some fun promoting literacy skills you can start the ball rolling by grabbing your child, opening a book, singing a song and reading a nursery rhyme. The following tip sheets and articles will give you further ideas on how to begin.

	Tip Sheets:
	Check out these tip sheets to gain information on how to share books with your youngsters. You will also learn what is considered age appropriate skills and development. There is also a neat calendar included with daily tips for incorporating literacy development into the life of your older children. Click on the links below for further information.
	Sharing Books with Babies and Toddlers - provided by Zero to Three - BrainWonders http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html
	Early Literacy Skills: What Infants and Toddlers Can Do – provided by Zero to Three BrainWonders http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html
	Get Ready to Read – provided by Reading is Fundamental http://www.rif.org/parents/resources/monthly.mspx
	Articles:
	What is Early Literacy? Provided by Zero to Three – BrainWonders In this article you will find the definition of early literacy. To view the article in full, please click on the link below. http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html
	How can Books and Storytelling Help Children Manage Difficult Feelings or Understand Life Events such as Moving, Illness, or Loss? Provided by Zero to Three – BrainWonders You will find ways to help your children express their feelings if you click on the link to this article. http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html
	Spotlights of the Month:
	If you are looking for community programs to help you increase your child’s literacy skills, check out the following spotlights of this month.
	Library Story Times held at Prince George’s County Public Libraries – for young children with and without disabilities.
	Coffee Break for Special Tots held at the Arc of Prince George’s County – a great time to network with other families raising children with special needs ages five and younger.
	Recommended Websites:
	If you would like information to help your preschooler increase his literacy connections, check out this cool website. http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/pksites.htm
	Special Mentions
	Announcing the Launch of Community Connections’ On-Line Training Modules!
	If you would like to further your education, check out these two new programs being offered at the University of Maryland: Doctoral Program in Early Childhood Special Education and Preparation of Leadership Personnel and Masters Program in Early Childhood Special Education.
	Spotlight a Welcoming Business:
	Community Connections would like to “Spotlight” businesses who are welcoming to children with disabilities and their families. If you would like to spotlight a business, please click on this link and we will post it free of charge on our website. Thank you.

Tip Sheet:

Sharing Books with Babies and Toddlers
These 11 quick tips provide information on how to have fun when sharing books with babies and toddlers. Such tips as letting your child turn the pages, using character voices, and asking questions will help to engage your child in the story. If you would like to check out these tips, please click on the following link for the full sheet.
http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html

Early Literacy Skills: What Infants and Toddlers Can Do
This tip sheet provides four quick tips on what are appropriate behaviors for infants and toddlers developing early literacy skills. From mouthing books to gazing at pictures, you will find information on what is appropriate for infants and toddlers. To view the entire tip sheet in full, please click on the following link.
http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html

Get Ready to Read
If you want some very cool tips to help preschoolers and school aged children with their literacy skills, Reading is Fundamental provides a neat “Read Every Day Calendar”. In this calendar you will find tips on how to incorporate literacy into your child’s daily life. Such ideas for the month of January include: read the ingredients for a cookie recipe, look up the meaning of Braille, and make a list of things to do to stay healthy. The neat thing about these calendars is that many of the activities are just plain fun, while others are actually related to what is significant about that particular day. For example, on January 26th the tip is to find out what the weather is like in Australia because that day is Australia Day.
So to begin your reading journey this year, take a look at this cool calendar. A special bonus is that it is available in both English and Spanish! To view the tips in full, please click on the link below.
http://www.rif.org/parents/resources/monthly.mspx

Articles:

What is Early Literacy?
Provided by Zero to Three – BrainWonders

In this article you will find the definition of early literacy. You will also find information on the connection between early literacy and language development. Ideas on how to promote early literacy for your child are suggested. There is also a neat description of how the definition of early literacy does not mean early reading. As stated in this article early literacy encourages families, caregivers, and teachers to promote children’s interactions and experiences through books. Take a look at the entire article to find information on early literacy behaviors such as helping children to 1) handle books, 2) pay attention, 3) understand pictures, and 4) interact with the story. To view the entire article in full, please click on the link below.
http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html

How can Books and Storytelling Help Children Manage Difficult Feelings or Understand Life Events such as Moving, Illness, or Loss?
Provided by Zero to Three – BrainWonders

Are you looking for a way to help your toddler learn how to express his feelings? Would you like to discuss real life situations with your toddler such as illness, potty training, and/or loss? If so, reading books with your toddler about other toddlers can help to break the ice of such conversations. This article gives practical suggestions on how to help your toddlers work through their emotions and understand their feelings when dealing with difficult topics. This article also lists tips, book ideas, and activities for both infants and toddlers. To view the article in full, please click on the link below.
http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/EarlyLiteracy.html

Spotlights of the Month!

If you’ve been empowered by all of the cool information regarding the importance of early literacy development listed in this newsletter, you can further enhance your child’s early literacy by participating in some great community groups for children with and without disabilities. This is an opportunity for young children with special needs along with their family and friends to participate in story time activities, music and motor activities. You can also meet other parents and check out the latest resources. Take a look at the following story times for a location near you. Before visiting these groups, please give the library a call to verify the time and location. Have fun!

Fun Time at Largo-Kettering Library
9601 Capital Lane
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Time: 10:00am
301-336-4044
February 2, 2006
March 2, 2006

Fun Time at Oxon Hill Library
6200 Oxon Hill Road
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Time: 10:30am
301-839-2400
January 23, 2006
February 27, 2006

Fun Time at Bowie Library
15210 Annapolis Road
Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 1:00pm
301-262-7000
February 9, 2006
March 9, 2006

Play & Grow at Beltsville Library
4319 Sellman Road
Beltsville, MD 20705
Time 10:30am
301-937-0294
February 3, 2006
March 3, 2006

Sleepy Time at Bowie Library
15210 Annapolis Road
Bowie, MD 20715
Time: 7:00pm
301-262-7000
February 2, 2006
March 2, 2006

Coffee Break for Families with Special Tots, Birth to 5
You can also find great ideas by attending the Coffee Break for Families with Special Tots. This month’s topic is Fun Ways to Encourage Communication. The guest speakers are Georgiann Wilkins, Speech Pathologist and Lois Kramer, Special Instructor.

Date: January 31, 2006
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Location: The Arc of Prince George's County
1401 McCormick Drive
Largo, MD 20774
RSVP:301-925-7050 ext. 307 Melonee Clark

Recommended Websites

Literacy Website for Preschoolers:
On this website you will find an abundance of information to help your preschooler enjoy, explore, and create literacy connections. You will also find links to such cool sites containing coloring books, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, and electronic storybooks. To check out this cool website, please click on the following link:
http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/pksites.htm

Special Mentions

Announcing the Launch of Community Connections’
On-Line Training Modules!

Are you interested in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to help your organization build a welcoming, inclusive environment for children with disabilities? If so, are you worried that you don’t have time to attend a training session in person? Then, the Community Connections on-line training modules are perfect for you!

The modules are available via an interactive, web-based course sponsored by the University of Maryland at College Park. For a limited time, we are waiving all registration costs. That’s right—the training is free for a limited time! But, act fast!

Available Training Modules:

Creating an Inclusive Environment
Making Accommodations
Working with Families
Teaching Kids About Kids with Disabilities

*You can choose to complete any single module, combination of modules, or the whole course!

*Contact Amy Nicholas at anichola@umd.edu for registration information

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New: Doctoral Program in Early Childhood Special Education-
Preparation of Leadership Personnel
University of Maryland Department of Special Education

Ranked #5 in U.S. News and World Report

Our program prepares individuals:
*To assume leadership positions in universities, state and local education agencies, policy organizations, and the federal government.

Unique program components include:
* Supervised research apprenticeships.
* College teaching apprenticeships.
* Skill development in areas of writing for funding and professional publications.
* Internships that include settings such as: Professional Development Schools (PDS), Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Local/State/International and Federal agencies.
* Students participate with faculty in research colloquia.

Financial Assistance
*12 month stipend
* Tuition reimbursement
* Travel allowance for conferences

For more information contact:
Deirdre Barnwell, Ph.D.
301-405-7896 or
301-405-6514
Email: barnwell@umd.edu
Visit us on the web at: www.education.umd.edu/EDSP

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New: Masters Program in Early Childhood Special Education
University of Maryland Department of Special Education

Ranked #5 in U.S. News and World Report

Our program prepares students:

*To receive a Master’s degree with an option to qualify for teacher certification in early childhood special education.
*To work with children with disabilities ages 3-5 in both school and community settings.
*To work with children and families from diverse cultural groups.

Financial assistance covers tuition, books and fees.

Stipends available for full-time students!

For more information contact:
Deirdre Barnwell, Ph.D.
301-405-7896 or
301-405-6514
Email: barnwell@umd.edu
Visit us on the web at: www.education.umd.edu/EDSP

We currently offer training and technical consultation to businesses, churches, and other community organizations to help make them more welcoming to families and children with special needs. If you know of a business or other organization that would like to take advantage of these services, please e-mail us at: communityconnections@umd.edu
OR
If you know of a business that is already welcoming to children with special needs and their families and you would like to share this information with other families and professionals, please send us your name as well as the name and contact information for the business with a brief description of why you believe they are welcoming to families. If appropriate, we will post the business on our website and we may even feature it as a 'Spotlight if the Month'. E-mail your submissions to: communityconnections@umd.edu

*Questions or Suggestions about our newsletter? Have an idea you would like to submit? Please feel free to contact us at communityconnections@umd.edu

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Disclaimer
Unless otherwise noted, all referenced articles are available at no charge to you. Community Connections provides this for informational purposes only and cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. The opinions and views expressed at these web sites do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Community Connections. Any personal information requested by any of the web sites will be governed by the privacy policy at the site, and any questions you have related to the sites' use of information should be directed there. The information contained in this newsletter is not intended to make any offer or commitment to purchase, subscribe to, provide or sell any service or product or to provide any recommendations on which readers should rely.

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Helping to Facilitate the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Community Settings