Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Families and educators alike play an important role in helping kids build the skills they need to become readers. To continue supporting that work, the Library has partnered with The Center for Reading Science at Mount St. Joseph University to launch a quarterly newsletter filled with practical literacy information and free resources.
You can also visit our new Early Literacy webpage to explore related upcoming events, connect with resources, discover booklists, find storytimes near you, learn about the science of reading, sign up for Ohio Imagination Library, and more.
The Center for Reading Science's Jennifer Naegele
Is a lifelong library customer, Jennifer says becoming a mom inspired her to want to share more about literacy. When the idea for the newsletter came about, she reached out to CHPL’s Youth Programs Coordinator Emily Griffis and the two began the work to make the idea a reality.
"[Libraries] are really an invaluable resource because they bring together educators, parents, children, other members of the community, and librarians," says Jennifer. "All of the people that are interested in teaching children how to read are collected in one space, essentially."
Jennifer adds that research points toward caregivers having a great hand in supporting their children's journey with literacy from birth.
"It's really important that we find a way to communicate with parents about reading science," says Jennifer. "The Library system is a great way to do that."
What is Reading Science?
The Science of Reading refers to a decades long collection of interdisciplinary research that helps inform how children learn to read by practicing these five skills:
- Phonological awareness — hearing and playing with sounds in words
- Phonics — connecting letters to sounds
- Fluency — reading with accuracy, speed, and expression
- Vocabulary — understanding the meaning of words
- Comprehension — making sense of what they read
The Library supports youth and educators through resources and programming grounded in this work. The Science of Reading newsletter is now a piece of that initiative.
Jennifer says topics will include information about reading science, best practices in teaching kids how to read, and information on reading disabilities with tips on how caregivers can advocate for their kid. The information will be easy to digest with strategies that can be used at home.
Jennifer says she ultimately hopes caregivers take away tools to put in their belt.
"If their child is struggling to read, I hope they can become a knowledgeable voice for their child," says Jennifer. "[I hope] they can have some questions to take back to their child's teacher to really work collaboratively to support their child in becoming a reader."
How to get a Newsletter
You can download the current newsletter from the Early Literacy webpage or ask staff about the Library's Science of Reading newsletter! We'd be happy to get one into your hands.
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