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Program gives parents reading tips, materials
By MICHELE MILLER © St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000 NEW PORT RICHEY -- Ask kindergartener Kyle Walker what his favorite book is and it only takes him a second to reply: Scooby Doo. But before long the strawberry blond with a face full off freckles is wanting to change his answer. "I like all the books," he says. That's music to the ears of his parents, Holly and Bill Walker, who read to Kyle every day and have labeled the various items in their home -- table, chair, etc. -- to help their young son learn how to read. Their efforts get good marks from Margaret Flanders, the reading specialist at Anclote Elementary School, who last Wednesday was conducting the first of four "Parents to Kids" meetings to be held at the school. Parents to Kids is a state-funded program in operation at many Pasco elementary schools. The program is geared to parents of kindergarten and first-graders. Some 30 parents showed up at the afternoon meeting to learn the basics of teaching children how to read. "Remember, parents are a child's first and most important teacher and home is a child's first school," said Flanders, who encourages parents to start reading aloud to their children when they are babies. Reading at bed time, using voice expression, letting children turn the pages, choosing fun interactive books and creating a dialogue -- "What did you like about the book?" "What would you change about the book?" -- were some of the helpful hints Flanders had to share. Setting an example by being a reading parent, making regular trips to the library and starting a home library are also good habits that help children develop a love for reading at an early age, Flanders said. While parents get some valuable instruction and lots of informational pamphlets at Parents to Kids meetings, they also go home with a bag full of goodies to share with their children. Last week's stash included five new books and an alphabet place mat. Lenore Salvato, whose two children, ages 5 and 7, attend Anclote, said she found the meetings to be very helpful. "She (Flanders) really has some good suggestions, she really does. And you get other suggestions from other people; some work, some don't," said Salvato, who had her own helpful hint to share: to try books like Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic, which is filled with funny short poems young children can memorize. Gail Connolly, whose youngest daughter Starlight is a first-grader and the last of four Connolly children to attend Anclote, said she makes sure to attend every one of the school's Parent to Kids meetings. "I love it, I just love it," said Connolly, "She (Flanders) has taught me so much." Note: Parents of children in kindergarten and first grade are welcome to attend Parent to Kids meetings. Contact the reading or media specialist at your child's school to find out when meetings are held.
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