Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/promoting-language-literacy-and-a-love-of-learning-makes-a-difference/5012944/
Six month old Katrina gurgles and coos as she sits on Amy's lap. Amy coos back. Katrina looks up and laughs. Amy laughs back and starts to sing softly.Three year old Brian draws a picture and talks about the giant bird flying in the sky, claiming it lives next door to his grandmother. His child care teacher writes the words "giant bird" on his picture and puts it up on the wall near his locker.
Nine year old Carmen enters her after-school program. After putting her coat away, she joins a small group sitting on the couch listening to another chapter of a mystery book they started the day before.
These everyday scenes demonstrate the important ways that quality child care contributes to the education of children. With millions of children spending part of each day in child care, everyone from parents to principals, from pediatricians to policy makers, is beginning to make the link between good child care and improved educational outcomes. Given the current interest in reading, we have a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the critical role that child care can play in promoting language, literacy, and a love of learning.
What Does Research Tell Us?
Learning to read ...