I was ASKED to "speak" at the Library!

[kizudo]

A few weeks ago I sent a Richard Gentry article to our local librarian.  In the past, we've had a few discussions before about my book borrowing choices - pretty much ALL about early learning.  Anyway, shortly after she received it she called telling me that she had forwarded on the article to a few key people on staff.  She asked if I would speak at both their baby and toddler classes this fall.  I'm still in shock because in NO WAY am I an expert - I am only a mom.  (Not that there's much "only" in being a mom!!!) 

Anyway, I am writing to ask you to help me.  Please.  (imagine praying hands here)

If I can repeat myself, I - am - not - an - expert.  I am a mom who has simply spent time doing language learning activities with her baby (now toddler) and now has a son who can sight read the first few lists of the Dolch words and can sound out words. 

The general topic is “How to teach your young child to read”.  What I need is some help from you as to what I should talk about - more specifically.  Think about who you were back before you knew about early learning.  What would you have been open to hearing?  What would you have liked to have been told?  I believe I’ll only have about 10-15 minutes WITH the children moving around and making additional noise. 

I know that they want a recommended booklist and a video list (I’m assuming ones that teach reading – not other languages/music/science/etc).  I’m planning to dig through the BK archives to see what DVDs and books are listed in older threads.  I know that the fairly extensive library of DVDs that I now have is only because of learning about what is out there (thank you BK parents!).  The moms might (hopefully) go out and buy ONE DVD or ONE book about early learning after our chat.  If they asked you specifically for the title of your all time favourite DVD and absolute best book, what would they be?

Also, what would you consider an integral part of your program?  What is/was it when you taught your baby (under 18 months)?  What is/was it when you taught your toddler (18-36 months)?

If this goes well they may ask me to come back again.  I am not being paid for this and I don’t want it to become a business – I just want to inform people that it is POSSIBLE  and that it is GOOD to teach your young child to read.  I would love for me (or any other local mommy/daddy who believes in early learning) to be a regular guest at these Mommy & Me classes.  Can you imagine the change possible for our society if more people jumped on the bandwagon of early literacy?!!!!   

[TeachingMyToddlers]

I am SO PROUD of you! Your initiative is creating opportunities for you!

Seize this. I just sent you an email. 

Two thumbs way UP! Confidence girl! Fake it til' you make it!!!

[waterdreamer]

How excited! I'm shocked you didn't tell me.
Call me if you need help

[kmum]

Congrats!

I was asked to do a similar talk a few months the ago. Like you, I'm not an expert - just a mom who taught her preschooler to read. What I did was go through our journey to reading & discuss what we did, what programs we used, etc. That way I was just explaining what worked for my child. I included a number of links & info about various reading programs in my handouts. 15 to 20 minutes isn't a lot they had me scheduled for 30 & the parents were still asking questions 20 minutes later. I hope you have a great audience too.

As for books, my favorite is still Glenn Doman's How to Teach Your Baby to Read.

! Fake it til' you make it!!!

I luv this advice!   That's what I did. I'm terrible at preparing speeches, so I winged it, which I find easy to do when I an passionate about a subject.  I did take some examples of K's cards placed in chronological order to help me along.

[reei]

I'm still in shock because in NO WAY am I an expert - I am only a mom.  (Not that there's much "only" in being a mom!!!) 

Of course you are not an expert, you are MORE THAN THAT.you are a MUM.. and a good one too...

My all time favourite dvds,, Leapfrog, Letter Factory,, she learns all the phonics from there..

[lelask]

That is wonderful I wish I could go there  .
When I went to a montessori course the lady first talked about the baby brain ,how it works and why is it so important to stimulate it. I would add something about the hemispheres, focus on right and then talk about reading .

The best book is Doman's How to teach.....

I am planning to do something similar so I would love to now what you decide to say.

[Kimba15]

YEAH! Well Done.

[THen]

Hi Kizudo!  I haven't been here in a while.  It is very exciting to hear you'll be speaking at your library.  You'll be great!  Even if you aren't an "expert" you have done a lot of reading on the topic and have taught your son a lot.  If I were there, I'd love to hear what you did.  Then, having the recommended books and videos list would be great!  Perhaps you could mark which ones the library owns, so they could check them out on the way home.  Then, if they could ask you questions personally after the program, I think, that is what I would have liked. 

I agree with the recommended books and videos the others have mentioned.  Meet the Sight Words was fun, too. 

You'll be in my prayers  ,
THen
   

[TeachingMyToddlers]

You could even pull available titles from the shelves and create a display for your speech, along with examples of materials you have made/created from home. 

[Mela Bala]

Congratulations This is so good to know that you will be sharing your experience and knowledge with other parents.  I wish you the best and your community is lucky to have you.

[kizudo]

Wow!  You are all so sweet with dishing out the enthusiasm and encouragement!  I'm becoming more excited by just reading what you all have to say! 

Unfortunately our library has NONE of the books most of us have read and would recommend.  So a display table is out - other than stuff that I have made...

     GUESS WHAT!!!  After typing the above, I put in a quick call to the librarian to talk about this and she said to send her the list of books I found helpful and she'll try to order them before September's presentations!  Yay!!!!  But I need to get them to her ASAP. 

I'm thinking off hand:
the Richard Gentry book - have to find the title
the Native Reading book - have to find title
a few of the Glenn Doman books
Sidney Ledson's book - find title
hmmmm....drawing a blank...what else can I include?

They also do not carry non-fiction DVDs but MAY, MAY, MAY consider it.  I'll send her a list for these, too.  I'm thinking:
- Leapfrog - Letter Factory, Talking Word Factory, Word Caper
- YBCR, YCCR and YCCD
- Monki See and MemoFlix - all
- Readeez - all
- Sparkabilities - all
- Meet the .... (I've never seen these, but I think they're recommended by a few people)
- Rock N Learn - Phonics
- and I have a Dolch one that I'd recommend but cant think of the name right now....

Yay!  Thanks again for your support.  I'm still open to ANY and ALL suggestions!  Keep them coming!  I wish there was a little happy face blowing big kisses to you all!  Mwaaa!

[TeachingMyToddlers]

What if.....you created a monthly support group at the library for parents to meet (kid free preferably?) once a month or every couple of weeks and touch base, share ideas, etc? I bet that would do wonders for your social life & finding of like minded parents!    I would reserve the room in advance for 2 months (so two meetings), because parents will want to know WAY MORE than you can cover in 15 or 20 minutes.

[TracyR4]

That is awesome! I wish people were more open minded where I live.
I would take your cards and your son. That would be a visual aid and something for other people to see that it truly works. People want to see the proof in the pudding so to speak.

You could make an outline on a piece of papers on the topics you want to touch. No need to write a whole speech. 

Some things to add for the parents
 
YBCR, YCCR, YCCD
Monkisee
Brillkids ( of course  )
Preschool Prep
Rock and Learn

my favorite Dolch Sight words websites:
Unique Teaching Resources
http://www.uniqueteachingresources.com/dolch-sight-words.html
Mrs, Perkins Dolch Sight Words
http://www.mrsperkins.com/

[kizudo]

TMT - LOVE the idea of a "support group"!  I think I will send around a list and if there's enough interest (sincere, not just polite) I just may do that!

TracyR - I'd love to bring my son, because I know that that would make me a believer if I were in their shoes, however, both my husband and I don't want to put pressure on him or put him "on display" - BUT I TOTALLY get what you are saying - it would be a great asset to have him "perform".  Maybe I could get permission from a few of my BK friends to show some of their youtube segments - or at least list them on the handouts! 

Any offers???   

[TracyR4]

True, you could always video tape a session that your doing.

Maybe just naturally do a flashcard session with your son while your husband 'sneaks' the video camera. 

I have a few videos I can share. My daughter isn't a baby but its living proof that this works.

http://thereedfamily-blog.blogspot.com/2011/02/mighty-reader.html

http://thereedfamily-blog.blogspot.com/2011/01/early-learning.html

and this one for fun :>)
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/bN3vUWqKuAw&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/bN3vUWqKuAw&rel=1</a>

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