(Spencer)– Iowa State University Extension Clay County is offering a special program designed to inspire children to learn to read at a young age. Sarah Dirks, an Adult Program Coordinator, tells KUOO news the “Our Bookshelf” program will get underway in July…
“Our Bookshelf is a four week virtual program for parents of preschoolers. It’s a parenting program that kind of focuses on preparing preschoolers to read through sharing books, conversation and techniques that we will actually introduce in the classroom.”
Dirks says the program focuses on a research-based reading technique called dialogic reading, geared for children aged 3-6…
“Research shows that preschoolers who are exposed to lots of language through books and conversations have greater academic success throughout their school years.”
She adds the four-week program will be held on Tuesdays, July 11th, 18th, 25th and August 1st at 7:00 pm each evening and is free to Clay county residents…
“Registration is online. You can find it on our website at www.extension.istate.edu/clay, or you can also just give us a call at 712-262-2264 here in Spencer.”
Dirks adds there is a limit as to how many can sign up…
“We have 10 spots available for families, so hopefully that will entice other parents to sign up. We’ll be trying to do this actually on a regular basis so if summer doesn’t work we’ll be offering it again during the school year.”
She also notes that after participating each week, parents will receive a book to share with their child along with an accompanying parent reading guide.
