The Ministry and Department of Education join with the many Early Childhood Centers and Schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands in recognition of the ‘Week of the Young Child”.
The week commences October 5-9, 2015 under the theme “Celebrating Our Youngest Learners: – Grow a Reader and Watch them Bloom”.
The early childhood years serve as an essential foundation for subsequent literacy development, as it plays a key role in enabling early learning experiences that are linked to children becoming proficient in reading later on in life.
Reading is fundamental as it engages all subject areas, equipping children with the necessary developmental skills that will allow them to communicate with others expressing their thoughts, feelings and ideas. It broadens their sensitivity towards letter sounds and helps them to acquire greater phonological awareness and phonics. Reading also empowers children to grasp new concepts, builds their vocabulary and heightens their understanding in comprehension.
It is with this in mind that the Department of Education urges all early childhood schools and centers to position their early literacy programmes to the forefront. Reading activities must be visible with print rich environments and various types of interesting books, materials and resources that support and encourage reading. It must involve the home, school and the community and be promoted by its parents, teachers and children.
In keeping with this, a number of activities have been planned for schools and centers to become involved. Some of the activities include Reading Aloud to young children, Reading with a Buddy and looking at books independently. These activities will help to stimulate language and cognitive skills which will build upon a child’s motivation, curiosity and memory.
Day 1 Monday, October 5th
Celebrate Your Students’ Favourite Book
• Promote the use of literacy centers to enhance reading.
• Teachers to create a Literacy Center using their students’ favourite book.
• Plan creative activities to teach lessons based on the story.
Day 2 Tuesday, October 6th
Celebrate Digital Learning Day
• Share and celebrate effective teaching and innovative learning strategies in the use of digital and instructional technology.
Day 3 Wednesday, October 7th
Celebrate Get Caught Reading Day
• Inspire children and adults to make it a habit to take time to read a little each day.
• Capture and share photos of family, friends, students and colleagues reading on social media
Day 4 Thursday, October 8th
Buddy Reading Day
• To encourage older students to pair up to read for younger ones Family members to identify a specific time to read for children on a daily bases.
• Allow children to choose their favourite book to read
Day 5 Friday, October 9th
Read Aloud Day
• Teachers share and model tips for reading aloud to children such as always reading the title and author, previewing the book, varying pitch and speed, and discussing the book.
• Invite parents /well-wishers to read to students
• Encourage parents/community members to donate books
“Drop everything and Read” – Everyone is encouraged to drop everything and read at 1pm each day for ten minutes during the week. Reading is fun across the TCI
Everyone across the TCI is encouraged to instill the love for books in young children from a very tender age by reading to them.
