ALSCEvery Child Ready to ReadResourcesBrain Development & Early Literacy Materials
For Educators
Background Information on Brain Development and Early Literacy
Books, Videos, and Websites
For Educators...
National Reading Panel. Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read, An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on Reading and Its Implications for Reading Instruction, Reports of the Subgroups. Washington, DC: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, 2000.
Assesses the status of research-based knowledge on the teaching of reading, including the effectiveness of various approaches. Chapters include alphabetics, fluency, comprehension, teacher education and reading instruction, and computer technology and reading instruction.
National Research Council. Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998. (www.nap.edu)
Against the background of normal progress, examines the factors that put children at risk of poor reading. Explores how literacy can be fostered from birth through kindergarten and the primary grades, including evaluation of philosophies, systems and materials commonly used to teach reading.
Schickedanz, Judith. Much More Than the ABCs: The Early Stages of Reading and Writing. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1999.
For parents and educators of children from birth to age five, focuses on selecting books at each developmental level and ways to support early literacy skills through the use of books.
Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read, An Evidence-Based Assessment of the Scientific Research Literature on Reading and Its Implications for Reading Instruction. Rockville, MD: NICHD Clearninghouse, 2000.
Report of the Panel, leading scientists in reading research, convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Looks at methods of instruction in areas of Alphabetics, Fluency, Comprehension, and at Teacher Education and Computer Technology in the area of reading instruction.
Basis for policy considerations and decisions. Available on line at www.nationalreadingpanel.org
Shore, Rima. Rethinking the Brain: New Insights Into Early Development. NY: Families and Work Institute, 1997.
An outstanding, thorough and readable review of research on the development of children ages 0-5. Helps in understanding the critical importance of the first years of life in laying the foundation for emotional, social and cognitive development.
Straight Talk About Reading: How Parents Can Make a Difference During the Early Years. Lincolnwood, IL: Contemporary Books, 1999.
Research background on the teaching of reading and the parents’ role, including some activities. Concentrates on Pre-K through third grade.
Tabors, Patton. One Child, Two Languages. A Guide for Preschool Educators of Children Learning English As a Second Language. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes, 1997.
For early childhood educators, offers specific techniques needed to facilitate the natural progression of second-language learning. Ways to create a supportive classroom environment for children learning English as a second language while acknowledging the importance of the child’s home language and culture. Includes ways to measure progress, address individual differences and to work with parents.
Websites
Zero to Three’s Baby Brain Map
In question and answer format, presents recent research on brain development and early literacy of children newborn to age three. Adapted by Zero to Three from BrainWonders, a collaborative project (1998-2001) between Boston University School of Medicine, Erikson Institute, and Zero to Three.
Tip sheets and activity calendar for parents to support early literacy
Early Literacy, part of Telus Learning Connection Project Centre
Pulls together research quotes and has suggestions of early literacy activities for teachers ad parents to do with their young children.
"Crib notes" of early brain development. Easy-to-read summaries that bring research to life and deepen our understanding of children’s development. Some have video footage online.
Includes articles, chapters, and annotated reviews of print and video materials, research abstracts and webs resources in several areas, including early childhood development, family partnerships, and community partnerships. Early literacy is a small portion of their focus. From Early Head Start National Resource Center.
Brain Development in Infants and Toddlers
Research on early brain development pulled from a variety of early childhood web sources. By National Child Care Information Center.
Children and Electronic Media ResourcesIncludes screening tool for four-year-olds, based on research from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, to determine where a child’s pre-reading skills are strong or weak. Information to support parents and educators as they help their young children be ready to read. Includes thoughtful answers to questions from parents and educators.
Report by Kaiser Foundation (2003) from survey of about 1,000 parents on the use of and effects of media on children newborn to six years of age. Influence of TV and computer screen time on reading.