Every Child Reads 3-5 (ECR 3-5) is a statewide initiative led by the Iowa Department of Education. The goal of the ECR 3-5 initiative is to expand the capacity of early care and education systems (including early childhood care and education providers) to use language, reading, and writing strategies to enhance the literacy development of children ages 3 to 5 years.
Enhancing the literacy development of preschool children increases their readiness for school. The ECR 3-5 training curriculum was designed to teach early care and education providers, including staff in preschools and childcare facilities, as well as individuals who care for children other than their own in -home settings.
This website contains the three modules (language, reading, and writing) to be used by early childhood trainers addressing early literacy.
http://www.iowa.gov/educate/ecr3-5/
Parent Modules
I can help my child be a reader! Lessons for Parents in Supporting Early Literacy - The following modules provide step-by-step training for parents and other significant adults to increase the amount of time they spend reading and talking with their children.
Lesson 1 » Talking with your child, Part 1
Lesson 2 » Talking with your child, Part 2
Lesson 4 » Responding to words your child is saying; Teaching New Words
Lesson 5 » Using Songs to Teach New Words
Lesson 6 » Retelling personal stories
Supporting Documents
Using Books and Literacy Activities to Teach Social-Emotional Skills is a 3-hour follow-up module to Every Child Reads: 3 - 5. Participants will review three ECR reading strategies: 1) connecting the book to the children's lives and experiences; 2) teaching children new words; and 3) asking children questions.
Training Manual Handouts Supplementary Materials
A Rhyme a Week--Nursery Rhymes for Early Literacy
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/wil/rimes_and_rhymes.htm
Fingerplays, Action Songs, Nursery Rhymes and Songs
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-rhymes.htm
Nursery Rhymes Theme--Activities and Crafts
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/nurseryrhymes.htm
Nursery Rhyme Activities
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/nursery_rhyme_activities.html#HumptyDumptyStations
- Ideas for nursery rhyme stations/centers
The Real Mother Goose
http://trmg.designwest.com
- An online version of the traditional Mother Goose Book.
Other Early Literacy Skills Websites
71 Nursery Rhyme sheets to print out for a Nursery Rhyme Collection
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/wil/rimes_and_rhymes.htm#Seventy_One
Picture Books Listed by Themes
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/book-themes.htm
Story Props for Flannel Boards--Books and Nursery Rhymes
http://www.littlegiraffes.com/storyprops1.html