Talk, Read, and Sing - Talking is Teaching
March 2022 - Reading
Created by Great Lakes Bay Parents - Informing parents since 2012!
You are your child's lifelong teacher.

"Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing" is a public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions ... "
LET'S TALK ABOUT READING
Let’s talk, read, and sing about READING! March is national READING month! Parents can help children build early literacy skills right from the start! Talking is Teaching resources offer you fun tips and ideas to make everyday moments opportunities to nurture growing readers and writers. 

Talking is Teaching has tips and resources to help parents talk to their children, even those who are very young. 
LET'S TALK TOGETHER
Activities For You & Your Little One
Talking is Teaching Tip:

It is never too early to READ with your child! Let your baby turn the pages when you read a book together! It can help him feel engaged with the story.
5 Ways to Raise a Reader... Starting from Birth
By Zero to Three
“ZERO TO THREE’s National Parent Survey shows that nearly half of parents (45 percent) think that reading to children starts to benefit long-term language development at 2 years or older—about a year and a half later than it actually does. Research shows that the benefits of shared reading actually begin at about 6 months. Here are five ways to share books with babies starting from birth.”
Talking is Teaching Activity Calendar
LET'S READ TOGETHER
Talking is Teaching READING Book & Video Recommendations
Cuddle up with your little one with a book or a video about READING! Books build connections. That’s why it’s important to read with your little one every day!

Below is a listing of recommended books and videos from Talking is Teaching. If these are unavailable, visit your local library and ask the librarian for ideas. 
Visit Your Local Library and Ask a Librarian

Contact your local library to learn about the FREE resources available to you and your child.

Birch Run - Thomas E. Fleschner Memorial Library 989-624-5171

Breckenridge -  Howe Memorial Library 989-842-3202

Bridgeport - Bridgeport Public Library 989-777-6030

Chesaning Township - River Rapids District Library 989-845-3211

Frankenmuth -  Frankenmuth Wickson District Library 989-652-8323

Hemlock -  Rauchholz Memorial Library 989-642-8621

Merrill -  Merrill District Library 989-643-7300

Saginaw - Public Libraries of Saginaw 989-755-0904

  • Butman-Fish Library 989-799-9160
  • Rudolph C. Zauel Memorial Library 989-799-2771
  • Ruth Brady Wickes Library 989-752-3821

Saint Charles -  Saint Charles District Library 989-865-9371
LET'S SING TOGETHER
Sing & Dance with Sesame Street
That's the Way I Read Song

Let’s sing about READING!  Sing along with Sesame Street’s Prairie Dawn, Telly, and Zoe as they describe the different ways to read the same book but still enjoy it all the same! 
THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING TO YOUNG CHILDREN
The Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children
By Too Small to Fail
“No matter how young, children can learn a lot when they are read to, and benefit a great deal from the cuddling and bonding that accompanies a reading session. In addition, the act of reading aloud to children is highly beneficial to both their vocabulary growth and in preparing them for school later on.”
How reading aloud can help you bond with your kids and make them better readers
By NPR
"There's more to reading with your kids than just the words on the page. Before you dive into reading, try talking with them about the story or topic."

Hear from an early-childhood expert on the importance on reading aloud with your little one.
PARENT SUPPORT & CLASSES
Parent Cafe
Great Start Saginaw
Extension Extras Parenting Hour: LEARNING TO TALK - The Development of Speech-Language Skills in Children
MSU Extension
WHEN: March 17 at 8 – 9:30 pm

WHERE: Zoom

This free online series of early childhood professional workshops will provide training and professional development for caregivers of young children .

Participants may register for as few or as many workshops as they wish.
Online Parenting Classes & Webinars
MSU Extension
Extension Extras Parenting Hour:
SCREEN TIME FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
March 15 at 8:30 pm

FAMILY FAQ'S KINSHIP CARE SUPPORT
March 17 at 11:30 am

UNDERSTANDING ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES – BUILDING SELF-HEALING COMMUNITIES  
March 22 at 8 pm

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW: SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN
March 29 at 8 pm
RESOURCES
Receive FREE Books From Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free program that will send your child (0-5 years old) a FREE age-appropriate book once a month until they reach their 5th birthday. 
Little FREE Libraries
Our Little Free Libraries are a great place to find books for your child. Anyone can take a book or bring a book to share. Our boxes inspire a love of reading, build community, and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges. Click on LEARN MORE to locate a Little Free Library near you.

Need Help? Call 2-1-1.
*This newsletter was supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0055-01-0090TP0002, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

**Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.