By Nola Godbert, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
and Jamie Ensey, Director of Resource Development
It´s an exciting time at VE to see so many of the children we work with enthusiastic about ¡Vamos a Leer! and reading. Many of the children run up to us asking for new books and can’t wait to post their achievement stickers once they have completed a book. All of the kids ask us about Carnaval and if they have read enough books to attend.
Truth be told though, even with the thrills the ¡Vamos a Leer! Carnaval holds, it can be difficult to get the children to settle down and focus on reading. Many have trouble with pronunciation, or tell us they don’t enjoy reading as a cover up for not being able to read well. To try and combat these issues, we use diverse methods to capture their attention and make books accessible and fun.
Through drama and games, the children have fun acting out the story or pretending to be certain characters, expanding on what they read through play. Reading can also be combined with art, letting the tales they hear inspire the children to draw, paint or model from clay their favorite scenes or characters.
Cooking can also be incorporated, whether it’s preparing a meal described in the story or simply making a themed snack to enjoy while reading together. ¡Vamos a Leer! reading workshops can also take children to different parts of the city: the library, the park or a trip that fits with a particular story. Reading can transport the kids to new places they wouldn’t normally visit, not only in their mind, but also in real life.
And finally, the tried and true method of simply taking the time and reading with the kids out loud. Helping them sound out the words. Asking them questions. Sharing in their excitement and wonderment about what might happen next. Giving them a chance to read, without red marks, but just love and encouragement.
That’s how most of us learned to read in the end anyway.