On Sunday, November 20, Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School hosted its third annual Early Childhood Literacy Event featuring the work of author Eric Carle. The event focused on the importance of reading to young children and the impact on future literacy and learning.
In addition to activity stations that were based on Carle’s books, participants enjoyed a musical story time. The event was supported by community partners Cuyahoga County Library – Beachwood branch, PJ Library and the scholastic book fair.
“Picture books inspire a lifelong love of artwork and reading,” said Heather Lenson, Mandel JDS librarian…Through book-based activities, such as counting, sequencing, art, writing and technology, the children experienced and learned in a fun environment, which is what we strive for here every day at Mandel JDS.”
In addition to making stories experiential and creating connections to story lines with hands-on activities, the literacy celebration highlighted the importance of reading with children 20 minutes a day and the idea of finishing 1,000 books before Kindergarten.
Activities included: a photo station, fine motor activities, cloud paintings, games, yoga, ducks and dice, and a ball-throwing activity in which the attendees needed to throw a ball into the mouth of the “very hungry caterpillar.”
During the school day at Mandel JDS, students engage in a variety of activities that incorporate early literacy skills. “We want our friends to have the opportunity to experience books at school and at home. We want to support our families and encourage them to provide literacy-rich activities at home.
“In addition to being fun, reading with young children helps with book and print concepts, phonological awareness, language development, communication skills, and logical thinking — and it becomes a shared experience, nurturing the relationship parents have with their children,” said Alyson Charnas, director of Early Childhood
