The Magic of Reading Aloud

“No single activity has proven to be as important for school success as reading aloud to a child,” said Carolyn Shelley, Youth Representative on the Prescott Public Library Advisory Board, at a free workshop held by the Yavapai College Teacher Education program on March 26^th.



During the workshop, Shelley focused on the three big benefits of reading aloud to kids during their critical early years:  brain development, impacting future school success, and strengthening parent-child bonding. In addition, Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library Manager, showcased dozens of children’s books she recommends to caregivers of young children. 



“Reading to a child is a win-win,” said Shelley. “90% of a child’s brain develops before age five. Reading spurs brain development.”

Not surprisingly, reading to young kids helps them their language and vocabulary, but it also builds a variety of other skills all children need succeed in school. “Reading develops their ability to concentrate, sit still and listen. Unlike what some people think, these are skills that need to be learned,” said Shelley.



Carolyn Shelley presents to the Yavapai College Teacher Education program.

Shelley also emphasized the value of reading as a family bonding activity. To be able to learn, grow, and reach their potential, all kids need a safe, nurturing, and loving relationship with their parents and caregivers. Reading is an ideal activity to strengthen and develop this bond. Parents and caregivers can also use books to prepare children for new events that may cause kids anxiety, such as going to the dentist, the doctor, or to preschool for the first time.

The public library is a good place to access free, age-appropriate children’s books and attend story times for young kids, and there are other programs in Yavapai County that work to strengthen early literacy. Carolyn Shelley also serves as the Coordinator for Raising a Reader, an early literacy program funded by First Things First that partners with preschools and child care sites to encourage more reading at home.

The bottom line? One of the best gifts we can give to the young kids in our lives is to spend time reading with them. It will help them now and for the rest of their lives.  

 

The Early Path to Success

Healthy Families Program Promotes Strong Families

 

“As a parent, nobody knows everything,” says Michele Hughes, holding her 8-month-old daughter Shaniya at the Healthy Families monthly playgroup in Prescott Valley.



Michele and Shaniya at a Healthy Families playgroup.

 

 Michele and her family are participating in Healthy Families, a free home visiting program of Yavapai Regional Medical Center for families with children ages birth to five years that is funded in part by First Things First. Through the program, families receive regular visits from a Family Support Specialist, who provides them with individualized parenting education and support, assesses the development of their child, and connects them to any community resources they may need.

At the time Michele enrolled in Healthy Families, she was a single mother of three. She is now married to Brian, who also had three children from a previous marriage, and together, they had their daughter Shaniya.

Shaniya has special needs, and when she was born, Michele and Brian were grateful to be able to continue participating in Healthy Families . At three months, Shaniya was diagnosed with Chromosome Three Deletion, a  newly discovered and sparsely researched condition . Neither Shaniya’s doctors nor her parents knew exactly what to expect. When Shaniya began to miss some developmental milestones, Michele was apprehensive.

Coincidentally, their Healthy Families family support specialist, B.J., had a special needs child of her own, and was able to provide a wealth of support and practical advice based on her own experiences. “B.J has helped me go through the specific challenges of parenting a special needs child,” said Michele. “She’s relieved a lot of my concern and anxiety about it.”

B.J. told Michele that due to her daughter’s special needs, Shaniya would achieve milestones in a different way than other children. “That calmed me,” said Michele. “It let me know that Shaniya is on her own path and that it’s ok. No kid is going to fit the mold. Each child is unique and has their own way of walking through life.”

Being the mother of seven, Michele doesn’t have much time to socialize and stay connected to her community. She is grateful that B.J. comes and visits her regularly. “She’s my family support specialist, but I also consider her my friend,” said Michele. “I fully trust her. She answers any questions I have, and refers me to programs and other things I would have never known were out there.”

Healthy Families also holds monthly playgroups for families to come together, socialize, and participate in fun, educational family activities. “Anytime parents have a strong social network and somebody they can ask questions to, their children will benefit,” said Michele. Through their partnership with Healthy Families, Michele and Brian are making sure their children are on the path to success.

Healthy Families is made possible in the quad-city area through funding from First Things First. For more information about Healthy Families, please call (928)-771-5651. To learn more about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.

 

Free Parenting Education Classes Support Parents Countywide




Parent Educator Sandi Cheney teaching “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” to the Mothers of Preschoolers group in Bagdad.
 

 

The first time Jipsie Myers got a flyer about the free parenting education classes being offered in her community, she threw it away. “I was skeptical,” said Jipsie, a resident of Bagdad and a mother of three. “My first thought was: no one was going to tell me how to raise my kids.”

But other moms in Bagdad kept on asking Jipsie about the classes, so out of curiosity, she decided to go. The class was called “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent,” and would meet weekly for six weeks. The first time the class met, Jipsie crossed her arms and listened.

Jipsie is now attending the “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” series for the third time. “It’s not about telling you how to raise your kids,” said Jipsie. “After going, I realized that I still need help. No one has parenting down pat.”



The class, which is made free for parents of young children because of funding from First Things First, works to give parents the tools they need to reduce stress for their whole family. ‘Becoming a Love and Logic Parent’ focuses on teaching young kids how to make choices, a skill that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. By giving children simple choices, such as deciding between oatmeal and cereal for breakfast, parents can empower their kids and still have control over the options they have. Everyone wins.

However, changing parenting styles isn’t always easy. “Making changes is a tough, tough thing,” said Parent Educator Sandi Cheney, who teaches the class all over Yavapai County. “But if you keep on practicing, the techniques become automatic.”

“The class gave me different ideas about how to communicate with my kids,” said Jipsie. “I learn something new every time I go.” The class also builds camaraderie among parents, who share ideas and stories about how they have applied what they learned each week.

“I’ve found that after taking this class, I’m less of a drill sergeant with my kids, I’m less stressed, and my kids are happier,” said Jipsie.

The six-week ‘Becoming a Love and Logic Parent’ series will be offered beginning May 7^th at Pine Grove Pre-School in Prescott, May 9^th at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, June 10^th at Humboldt Elementary and June 10^th at Territorial Elementary in Chino Valley. The class is completely free and free child care is available during each class. To sign up, call or visit ParentsAZ.org.

For First-Time Parents, Knowledge is Power

Having a child is an exciting, joyful, life-changing experience, but for new parents- no matter who or where they are- it can also be baffling. When Maria and Clint Slay had their first child, Liliana, they wanted to learn as much as they could to be the best parents they could be.

 

 Luckily, they found out about Healthy Families, a free home visiting program of Yavapai Regional Medical Center funded in part by First Things First. The program enrolls families before a child is three months old, and stays with them until the child turns five. Through Healthy Families,  the Slays receives regular visits from Lina, their Family Support Specialist, who assesses Liliana’s development, suggests effective parenting techniques, and connects them to any other community resources they may need.

 

Clint, Liliana and Maria Slay meet with Lina, their Healthy Families Family Support Specialist

Like many families who have a child at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Maria and Clint got a call from Healthy Families after Liliana was born, inviting them to participate in the program. “I was a nervous new parent and I wanted to know as much as I could,” said Maria. “Enrolling in Healthy Families was an opportunity to prevent anxiety with information.”

 

“Healthy Families provides a sense of security – especially to first-time parents,” said Clint.

 

Though she has a Master’s Degree and has studied child development, Maria said that there is a big difference between learning something from a book and actually being a parent. Each time Lina visits, she brings over information about Liliana’s developmental stage, including activities that Maria and Clint can do with their daughter to help her learn and grow. This thorough stage-by-stage information helps Maria and Clint feel more confident in their parenting. “It lets us know what to expect and how to help Liliana develop,” said Maria. “The program gives us information, answers our questions, and points us in the right direction.”

 

90% of a child’s brain development happens by age 5. Maria, who works as a special education teacher for 3^rd to 6^th grade students, sees the impact of the early years on a child’s future learning every day.  “I know how important it is to build a foundation before children go to school,” said Maria. “By participating in Healthy Families, we want to set up our daughter for success.”

 

Liliana, who is now 4 months old, is a healthy, happy and thriving baby. “We hope to give Liliana every chance and every opportunity to reach her full potential,” said Maria. With the support of Healthy Families, Clint and Maria are making sure they can.

 

Healthy Families is made possible in the quad-city area through funding from First Things First. For more information about Healthy Families, please call (928)-771-5651. To learn more about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.