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RAISING A READER

Raising a Reader is an evidenced-based, nationally recognized early literacy program targeting both parents and young children 3-5. Its mission is to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills that are critical for school success by engaging parents in a daily routine of “book cuddling” and interactive reading with their children.

Raising a Reader is provided in two phases, the first targeting pre-school programs with the intent that through training and mentorship, the program will be provided by the preschool staff beyond the initial year of First 5 involvement. The second phase targets children who have had no preschool experience and is provided through local family resource centers in Hanford, Corcoran, Kettleman City, Avenal, and Lemoore.

Preschool Implementation: Preschool implementation is provided with the intent that the Raising a Reader program will become a core component of the preschool curriculum. Programs targeting low-income service populations such as Head Start and State Preschool are provided preference in implementation. First 5 Resource Specialists provide the initial year of program implementation, modeling effective service delivery and providing feedback based on observations of preschool staff implementation. Additionally, preschool staff are provided instruction on the use of evaluation tools such as pre and post service assessments. Following the year-long implementation, preschool staff are certified as Raising a Reader instructors and are provided on-going technical assistance and support from First 5 staff. Preschool classrooms are supported in their future implementation with a complete classroom kit, which includes:

Family Resource Center Implementation: Raising a Reader is provided in the spring and summer months at local Family Resource Centers with the intent to serve children preparing to enter kindergarten in the upcoming school term whom have had no preschool experience. Efforts are made through First 5 outreach as well as through kindergarten registration data to recruit this specific population. This approach focuses on providing services to both parent and child, as both are in attendance at the weekly service sessions. Parent and child enjoy a book reading together in an effort to both provide a reading to the child, as well as modeling of effective reading strategies to parents. At the conclusion of the joint reading experience, children are provided with an enhanced learning opportunity which corresponds to the book reading while the parents are offered tips on how to support their child’s entry into kindergarten through the nurturance of reading habits. Families are provided weekly book bags to take home which include 4 new book titles.

For more information please contact:

Rosalba Cabral, Resource Specialist
First 5 Kings County
340 W. Eight Street
Hanford, CA 93230
Phone (559) 582-3211, ext. 2115