Organizing reading fairs for parents of young children
Abstract
RSVP in Bend, Oregon, recognized that almost 50 percent of the children in its county lacked basic pre-reading skills to begin first grade. In collaboration with community partners, RSVP organized fun, educational reading fairs aimed at parents with children ages three to six. The parents learned to help their young children through storytelling, read-alouds, sing alongs, and crafts.Issue
Engaging parents in literacy activities with their children is a proven way to get children reading and improving reading readiness for school.Action
RSVP in Bend, Oregon, organized reading fairs in four communities for parents and children ages three to six years old. The fun, educational events showed parents how to help their children acquire pre-reading skills.
Prior to the event, organizers did a media blitz to reach parents. Fliers were given to every kindergarten student in Bend, the local newspaper donated creative ads and did a series of articles, the radio stations did live interviews prior to the event, and there was TV coverage on the news and on different TV shows. A local TV personality had children be the spokespersons for the event.
A key element to getting parents to attend was community support — there were five gourmet bakeries that supplied desserts and a gourmet coffee company supplied coffee. There were also free books for all children and 15 free books for parents. Included were books that taught parents to help their children acquire pre-reading skills.
The program content — created and performed by the library staff — included read alouds, sing alongs, crafts, and storytelling. There were also characters dressed in literary costumes.
Prior to the presentation, parents watched the staff demonstrate their teaching skills as they tutored reading and participated in storytelling. The premise of the event was that "learning is fun and games."
The reading fairs were part of a larger Read Together Program, which addresses the need for tutoring for pre-literate children. Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to children ages three to six who have been identified as not having pre-reading skills necessary for the first grade. These students are given individualized attention on a regular basis throughout the school year. They are taught pre-literacy skills and this individualized attention helps to foster their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Context
The reading fairs, designed as a parental outreach program, were done in collaboration with Community Youth Connection, AmeriCorps*VISTA, RSVP and the Deschutes Public Library. The event was held at the public library on a Saturday afternoon.
The 100 pre-registration spaces filled prior to the event and there was a waiting list of 35 people. On the day of the event, an additional 20 people were let in and approximately 20 were turned away after they were put on a list for the next reading fair.
Outcome
Parents realize that it is fun and easy to teach pre-reading skills through reading aloud, singing, and activities.
The community supported this event in every way. The publicity was such that there was no stigma attached designating the event for children having problems learning to read.
If an event is fun, parents will bring their children. But if an event is billed as "educational" and for a target group associated with a stigma, parents will not want to come.
Evidence
Forty-seven parents completed an evaluation and reported what knowledge they had prior the event, what they learned, and how they can use the information. All parents liked the event and wanted more of them and about 80 percent learned new skills.Posted On
November 16, 2001For More Information