November 4, 2013
Consultants Connection
In This Issue
Interactive Storybook Reading
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Dear Great Start to Quality Providers,

This is your weekly touchpoint with the Great Start to Quality Consultants! The focus each week will be a shared topic that will provide support to each of you in your daily work with young children and families.  Enjoy!

Dawn and Heather
Quality Improvement Consultants - Eastern Region

 
     

Interactive Storybook Reading
 
Children love to read books.  There are many times when visiting programs, that once I sit down on the floor, it doesn't take long until a child is coming over, book in hand, sitting down next to me or on my lap ready for a story.  Sharing book experiences with children provides so many benefits, relationship building, language development, sparking conversations, linking parts of the story to real life experiences, thinking and comprehension skills.

Interactive storybook reading or read alouds is one method used, mostly with preschool children but can be modified to use with a small group of toddlers, depending on interest and individual needs, to share books with children.  The purpose of using an interactive storybook reading with children is to:
  • increase children's vocabulary
  • promote language development
  • support listening comprehension skills
  • increase children's ability to recognize words
  • support overall literacy development.
How do you provide interactive storybook reading?  Interactive storybook reading is:
  •  stopping and talking during the book, not reading without interruption
  • involving children by pointing, asking questions, making comments and engaging in conversations.  Children are active participants not passive listeners.
Successful Read Alouds include:
  • active participation of teachers and children
  • high quality books
  • use of open-ended questions by teachers and children
  • discussions about the book, building on children's prior knowledge
  • predictions by children
  • use of language, including relating the book to something that happened in the past or that could happen in the future (with preschoolers).
When choosing books to share with children, keep in mind:
  • the use of engaging pictures, bold illustrations and interesting text.  Children will reread books that are colorful and engaging.
  • book that reflect the diversity, interests, and values of the children in your classroom.
  • books that offer something to talk about.
  • books that include 3-4 new words for children.
While reading books, choose places to stop and pause, ask a question, make a comment, use "I wonder..." statements.  Share in children's excitement!
 
There are many resources available for interactive storybook reading.  Recently, a link was shared with us outlining a professional development opportunity to learn more about interactive storybook reading.  Follow the link below for that opportunity:
 
The following link will provide you with a list of 50 Multicultural Books:
  

 


Interested in learning more about Great Start to Quality?

Take advantage of monthly webinars hosted by Great Start to Quality!  The webinars will keep you informed about Michigan's tiered quality rating and improvement system.

Did you miss the October webinar, Quality Improvement Planning?
You can view recorded webinars anytime at: 


If you haven't already, please sign up for the Great Start to Quality listserv at http://greatstarttoquality.org/.  Click the "Sign Up" link at the bottom of the home page to get updates and answers to frequently asked questions.


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Need help using the Great Start to Quality STARS system?
Please contact the Mosaic Network's support team.

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 The PQA...
 
The PQA, Program Quality Assessment is the assessment tool identified by the Great Start to Quality program to be used when assessing a program/provider.  The standards listed in the PQA have identified high quality program practices for all children. 
 
Infant Toddler PQA:
III.  Adult - Child Interaction
III-C.  Children interact in partnership with their caregivers. 
 
 
Preschool PQA:
III.  Adult - Child Interaction
III-D.  Adults use a variety of strategies to encourage and support child language and communication.
 
 
Family Child Care PQA:
III.  Provider - Child Interaction
III-C.  Providers use a variety of strategies to encourage and support child language and communication, including verbal and nonverbal communication of their thoughts and feelings.
 
***Check your PQA booklets for all Level 5 Indicators***
 
 

Pinterest Find of the Week....
25 Books to Read Aloud to Toddlers | Spoonful





12 Reasons to Read Aloud to your Kids. This would be a great resource for parents at conferences!





 
Looking for Training? 


Below is a list of trainings offered for each county.  Trainings are being added often so for more detailed information and to register, go to:

 

Arenac/Bay Counties:

 

Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and ASQ Social-Emotional Training
Beyond Sandy Hook:  Talking Trauma and Children

 

 

Huron County:

 

New Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers (Directors/Administrators ONLY)
Be SAFE:  Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments
Creative Curriculum Intentional Teaching

Lapeer County:

 

Conscious Discipline #1:  Brain Smart Model & the Skill of Composure

Conscious Discipline #2:  Skills of Encouragement and Assertiveness

Creative Curriculum Overview

 

Saginaw County:

  

Understanding Children's Behaviors
Working with Infants and Toddlers
Behavior Expectations and Rules
Child Care Center Rules (Directors/Administrators ONLY)
Why Toddlers Bite?

Saint Clair County:

 

Conscious Discipline #1:  Brain Smart Model & the Skill of Composure
Defining Family Dynamics
Conscious Discipline #2:  Skills of Encouragement and Assertiveness
Creative Curriculum Intentional Teaching

 

Sanilac County:
 
Relax;  Alternatives to Anger Series

 

Tuscola County:

  

Defining Family Dynamics
Schedules and Routines

Mail Correspondence and Online:

 

Using and Extending the Lending Library Materials

Schedules and Routines

Building a Better Brain
Safe Sleep & Shaken Baby Syndrome
 
Have you visited your Lending Library lately?
 
The Eastern Resource Center's Lending Library is a FREE educational resource available to parents and early childhood professionals. We offer themed bins and CARES bags full of learning materials to enhance your classroom or childcare environment for children birth to age 5! Stop by your local Lending Library to check out something new today!  

  

Not sure where your local Lending Library is located?  

  • Click on "Great Start to Quality Resource Centers". 
  • Click "Eastern Resource Center" on the map to find the Lending Library near you!
 
Featured Lend
ing Library Resource
C.A.R.E.S:
 
 
A C.A.R.E.S. bag (Children Acquiring Rich Experience and Skills), features a learning material and activity book that guides learning a specific skill. Some of the featured skills are counting, sorting, patterns and sequencing.  All the items included can be checked out at your local Lending Library. These items are FREE for you to borrow and use with the children in your care. What a fun and exciting way to temporarily add new items to the classroom without breaking your budget! For a list of all the available items that can be borrowed, contact the Resource Center.
How to contact your Consultant:

  Dawn Kalkman
  (Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola)
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-280-1103

  Heather Rousseau 
  (Arenac, Bay, Saginaw)
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-284-2250