ED458569 CS014546

 

Title: Access for All: Closing the Book Gap for Children in Early
Education.
Author(s): Neuman, Susan B.; Celano, Donna C.; Greco, Albert N.; Shue, Pamela
Author Affiliation: International Reading Association, Newark,
DE.(EYV38140)
Pages: 101
Publication Date: 2001
Notes: Also sponsored by the Institute for Civil Society.
Sponsoring Agency: Carnegie Corp. of New York, NY. (QPX12280)@Howard Heinz Endowment, Pittsburgh, PA. (BBB27796)@Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement, Ann Arbor, MI. (BBB34978)
ISBN: 0-87207-171-5
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC05 Plus Postage.
Availability: Order Department, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139 ($9.95).
Web site: http://www.reading.org.
Language: English
Document Type: Book (010); Reports--Research (143)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Delaware
Journal Announcement: RIEAPR2002
Target Audience: Practitioners; Teachers

Because children begin to learn literacy skills before formal
reading and writing instruction takes place, exposure to books at an early age leads to improved literacy skills throughout their lives. Further, because so many children are in child-care facilities for up to 40 hours a week, it is essential for child-care centers to provide young children sufficient access to quality books--this is especially important in areas of low income, where children may not have access to books and literacy experiences at home. This book details a study of child-care centers across the United States that uncovered some troubling results. The report discovered that there is a serious lack of quality books in many child-care centers, and that many states do not have clear guidelines for using books to create literacy exposure in child-care settings and prekindergarten classrooms. It finds that there are states, however, that have set up clear and consistent guidelines and rules regarding early literacy instruction, and there are numerous professional organizations that also are pushing to close the book gap. Chapters in the book highlight trends in children's publishing and the children's book market; detail the study and its results; describe a state (Georgia) that has made excellent progress in early education standards; and give possible solutions for closing the book gap for young children. Appended are the survey questionnaire; state regulations for child care; state-funded prekindergarten regulations (mandated); state-funded prekindergarten guidelines (not mandated); additional state resources (as of October 9, 2001); and an individual county's efforts to address literacy in prekindergarten. (Contains 41 references.) (NKA)

Descriptors: *Books; Childhood Needs; *Childrens Literature;
Classroom Environment; *Day Care Centers; *Emergent Literacy; Enrichment Activities; National Surveys; *Preschool Education
Identifiers: *Book Availability; *Georgia