From katie.anderson at state.or.us Mon Apr 2 11:01:58 2012 From: katie.anderson at state.or.us (Katie Anderson) Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:01:58 +0000 Subject: [RFHF] In the News: Play=Success and identifying good research Message-ID: <640435851FD7CB4AB3C4BE0D1963BA241C3A331A@OSLEXCHANGE.osl.state.or.us.local> Hi! I came across two good articles this morning. I don't have as much time as usual to read through them thoroughly and process them in advance, but in my brief review I think they are noteworthy. Toddlers' make-believe games 'help poor pupils succeed' by Hannah Richardson, BBC New Education Reporter This article covers a newly released study called Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education 3-14 Project (EPPSE 3-14) Report from the Key Stage 3 Phase: Influences on Students Development from age 11-14 which is available for free online. This study took place in the UK so it is important to note the potential difference in population. The most noteworthy key findings covered in the article are: * "...early learning activities can give children a three-year academic boost by age 14." * These beneficial early learning activities are defined as "being read to, planning with numbers and letters, doing craft activities, but also playing with friends at home and elsewhere, as well as enjoying 'make believe' games like dressing up." * "The study says that difference in academic attainment and social development related to background emerge in children by the age of three." * "Learning opportunities in the home such as reading with children, playing with letters and shapes, sharing nursery rhymes, (and) going to the library all have positive effects later in the secondary phase, in fact, more than parental occupation or income." Evidence-based practice: Separating the wheat from the chaff by Washington Learning Systems This is a short article that is well-worth reading in full because it describes how to "identify the most accurate information, leading us to the most effective methods". Here is the list of specific criteria for evaluating research from the article. If you are not familiar with these criteria already, I suggest printing them out and posting them next to your computer. * "The age range of the children should match the group you are working with." * "The geographic location of the study should be representative of your students. Even within the U.S. there are regional differences." * "Ideally, studies should use the "gold standard" of empirical research: random assignment to treatment groups." * "Research studies should be published no earlier than 1985. However, do not reject foundational literature written before 1985, e.g., Piaget and Vygotsky." * "The study should measure child change. Knowing that you have changed parent or teacher behavior is useful, but is not as convincing as demonstrating child change directly." * "Finally, look for information in good quality, peer reviewed journals." * These two are not listed in the article, but are criteria I personally use. * How large is the study group? The larger the number of people, the more potential for all types of diversity in the group and the more broadly it may apply, e.g., a study on 3,000 children may have more validity than a study on 50 children. * Has a similar study been done with similar results? The more studies that are conducted the same way with the same results the more valid the argument/research. Enjoy! Katie Anderson, Library Development Services * Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator * Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 katie.anderson at state.or.us, 503-378-2528 If the hyperlinks don't work, try cutting and pasting these URLs into your browser: * BBC article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17562431 * Full, almost 196 page report on the study: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR202.pdf * Evidence-based practice: http://www.walearning.com/articles/evidence-based-practice-separating-the-wheat-from-the-chaff/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Early+Literacy+Newsletter+April+2012&utm_content=Early+Literacy+Newsletter+April+2012+CID_834ae9e4d5377b139949eef3cc5b51a1&utm_source=Mailing+List&utm_term=Read+more -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From katie.anderson at state.or.us Mon Apr 2 11:10:19 2012 From: katie.anderson at state.or.us (Katie Anderson) Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:10:19 +0000 Subject: [RFHF] Spanish resources compiled and now available on the RFHF website Message-ID: <640435851FD7CB4AB3C4BE0D1963BA241C3A3332@OSLEXCHANGE.osl.state.or.us.local> Hi! On Friday I spent most of the day compiling all the Spanish and English/Spanish bilingual resources I'm aware of and resources that many of you have shared with me over the past few years. These resources are now available on the RFHF website: http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/rfhf.spanish.resources.shtml. You will find resources for selecting Spanish language and English/Spanish picture and board books for children, resources to learn Spanish songs and rhymes, and resources on how to plan storytimes in Spanish. Hopefully these resources will be helpful in your work with Spanish speaking and bilingual children. Enjoy! Katie PS: If you use a Spanish or Spanish/English bilingual resource that isn't on this page, but you think it should be added... please send me a link to the resources or the title and author of the book with a short description of why you found it useful and I will consider adding it to this webpage. Thanks! Katie Anderson, Library Development Services * Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator * Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 katie.anderson at state.or.us, 503-378-2528 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From katie.anderson at state.or.us Tue Apr 24 08:59:40 2012 From: katie.anderson at state.or.us (Katie Anderson) Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:59:40 +0000 Subject: [RFHF] English and Spanish Baby Readers Message-ID: <640435851FD7CB4AB3C4BE0D1963BA241C3B769F@OSLEXCHANGE.osl.state.or.us.local> Hi! I just received the following announcement that Third Week Books is offering to customize the cover of their 8x8 paperback book Rock-A-Bye Baby Reader and it's Spanish version Despertar a la lectura. What are the books like? Check out sample pages online. On the left pages they have a simple, cute cut-paper illustration sand simple classic rhymes for babies. On the right pages they have photos of adults from all walks of life reading with babies and toddlers and have simple early literacy information and reading tips for caregivers. The Spanish edition is not a translation of the English version, it includes culturally appropriate Spanish language rhymes and provides the English translation of those. I typically shy away from promoting for-profit products like this, but this one would be an excellent giveaway to families with babies. This book was brought to my attention by a librarian who participated in the Reading for Healthy Families early literacy training project and thought it would be of interest to other early childhood professionals. What do they mean by "offering to customize the cover?" During the next print run of these book, the printer will print a message of your choice on the cover such as "To: New Baby and Family; From: Your Library/Healthy Start". Check out their example online. This offer is only available once or twice a year when the publisher needs to print more copies. Do these titles come in board book format which is more developmentally appropriate for babies? Yes they do! The board books are not scheduled to go to print so can't be customized at this time, but you can request to be notified when they are available to be customized by sending an email to: TheBabyReader at yahoo.com Does this publisher have more titles? They also have a title for toddlers called Bunnaby Bunny/Elconejito Claudio-this Spanish title is a direct translation of the English. This is a story with a simple narrative about getting dressed. In my opinion the story and illustrations are just okay, but the early literacy information and tips for parents are very good. Learn more: http://www.thirdweekbooks.com/homepage.html Questions, contact: Cheryl and Carol at 612-990-6011 or TheBabyReader at yahoo.com Need to find money for books? Check out grant seeking resources on the RFHF website and the Early Literacy Initiative website. Katie Anderson, Library Development Services * Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator * Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 katie.anderson at state.or.us, 503-378-2528 If the hyper links don't work, try copying and pasting these URLs into your browser. * Sample pages of the book: http://www.thirdweekbooks.com/samplepages.html * Sample customization: http://www.thirdweekbooks.com/customprintoptions.html * Third Week Books: http://www.thirdweekbooks.com/homepage.html * RFHF website's resources for getting cheap books and grants: http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/youthsvcs/rfhf.deal.on.kids.books.aspx * Early Literacy Initiative's grant seeing resources: http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/youthsvcs/earlylit/funding/index.aspx From: Third Week Books [mailto:thebabyreader at yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 3:51 PM To: Katie Anderson Subject: Option to customize English and Spanish Baby Readers: Act by May 7th! Join the Spring custom printing of Baby Readers! Katie-- Spring is here -- and so is an opportunity to order custom-printed soft-cover Rock-A-Bye Baby Readers and Spanish-language Despertar a la lectura! You'd asked to be alerted when libraries and Healthy Starts could arrange for custom covers of their Baby Readers. We're taking custom orders through May 7th for our print run in late May. Books will be delivered in mid-June. Visit our website to see a variety of customizations that clients have created for their own community's first book to babies (and their parents): www.thirdweekbooks.com/customprintoptions.html. We'd welcome the chance to discuss a project you may print this Spring or programming ideas that are currently just a gleam in your eye. Thank you, Cheryl and Carole (t) 612-990-6011 FYI: Nov 7th is the cut-off for our Fall '12 Press Run. Those books will deliver by mid-Dec -- just in time for Oregon's first babies of 2013! 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