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Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy created a training component to share our expertise in early literacy development. In addition to offering individualized workshops on a variety of topics, Beginning with Books provides an intensive nine-month early literacy training and two-year mentoring opportunity for staff of child care homes and early education centers.
Beginning with Books has trained others to replicate our programs throughout the United States, as well as other countries. Visitors from as far away as Columbia, Germany and the Fiji Islands have come to Pittsburgh to learn about Beginning with Books.
For more information, call Beginning with Books at 412-361-8560 or email Sandi Koebler, Director, Early Literacy Education.
Some of the workshops available:
Busy with Books
This workshop instructs early childhood educators and caregivers on choosing age-appropriate, quality books that promote children’s literacy development. Topics include: how to build a book collection; the role of books in play; strategies for involving parents; and teaching children to handle books with care. Participants receive booklists to help them choose quality books.
Parents as Partners
This workshop helps preschool and elementary school teachers and caregivers generate a practical plan to involve parents in supporting their child’s growth as a reader and writer, with special attention to identifying and overcoming obstacles to effective parent participation.
Raising a Reader
This workshop offers parents and teachers proven tips on helping their children become lifelong readers. Participants receive practical advice on what to read to children and how to make it a mutually rewarding shared activity.
Books Celebrating the African Heritage
Parents, teachers, and caregivers are introduced to age-appropriate books that can help enhance the self-esteem of preschool through elementary school-aged African American children. Participants also receive advice on using these books to generate a respect for this rich culture in all children.
Books, Growth, and Healing
This workshop teaches participants to use picture books to promote healthy development. Teachers, caregivers, or social service providers learn to select quality, issue-oriented books that can help children cope with stressful situations and develop strategies to encourage meaningful responses to books. The power of the story, rather than bibliotherapy, is emphasized.
Windows on the World
Studies show that children engaged in books are likely to feel positively about their own and others’ ethnicity. This workshop offers information on the importance of books in educating children about cultural and ethnic diversity. Participants learn to judge the quality, appeal, and authenticity of picture books.
Print and Play
This workshop prepares early childhood teachers to create opportunities for literacy learning throughout their classrooms. After reviewing the principles of emergent literacy, participants learn low- and no-cost ways to enrich and structure their classrooms to encourage more active involvement in reading and writing.
Read to a Child Today
Designed for tutoring and mentoring programs, this workshop prepares volunteers to add regular read-aloud sessions to their work with children. Participants will receive booklists and tipsheets on reading aloud and will be introduced to surefire books that will hold children’s attention, provide mutual enjoyment, and stimulate an interest in reading.
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 A volunteer in Germany after a Beginning with Books training.
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