Literacy Mile Stones

Arab Non-Violence Society Marked International Day of Literacy

Doha, Qatar, September 09, 2011 --( PR.com )-- Observing International Day of Literacy Dr. Naseer Homoud, Foreign Affairs Advisor of Arab Non- Violence Society and Honorary Member of Arab Youth Media Forum said “literacy is the foundation of social and economic progress. It is critical to learners’ success; workplace readiness, and increased productivity, efforts to improve literacy aren’t optional. They are vital to any country’s success.” He went on to say “a basic human right, literacy is at the heart of education for all and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, and achieving gender equality. Despite the major milestones accomplished towards literacy, the goal of literacy for all, including children, youth and adults, remains an unaccomplished goal.” Commemorating the day, Dr. Homoud outlined the benefits to a more literate society especially for women and girls. He maintained that in most of the developing world, women are directly responsible for the welfare of their families - tending to basic family needs, working on farms and contributing to the family income, managing domestic resources and at least some of the household finances. “What resources women have at their disposal and how they use them has a direct impact on household income, health, education, and nutritional outcomes. Empowering women is a key ingredient for sustaining development gains,” said Dr. Homoud. He added “Literacy Day highlights the importance of literacy internationally, and how it has developed countries, communities and individuals. Literacy also develops the human personality, strengthens respect for people’s rights and promotes understanding, tolerance and friendship amongst individuals.” Addressing the gathering assembled to mark the day, Dr. Homoud said, “Education and literacy are the foundation and essence of all human development.

newmark learning: helping families read together | teach mama

Nearly every parent I know wants to do what he or she can to support early learning for their children.

We all want to see our kids grow to enjoy reading, to master their math facts, to develop a love of learning, and to carry a natural curiosity about the world around them.

But it’s not always easy.   Every child is different, and every parent comes equipped with his or her own unique skill set.  While math comes naturally to my husband, it’s always been a struggle for me. Where I love reading and writing, he’d rather have a conversation than do either any day.

So how are parents supposed to help their children meet with success in school if they aren’t ‘experts’ themselves?

I had the fab opportunity to take a first-hand look at a handful of Newmark Learning’s Sight Word Readers, their Whiteboard Resources, and the Fiction Parent Involvement Kit.  It was a blast (kind of like Christmas for me!), and I was highly impressed.

Each Parent Involvement Kit includes 8 Leveled Books, a Parent Guide, and a Reading Journal.  We have the Fiction Kit, which includes Nursery Rhyme books; the other kits have a Math, Science, or Social Studies focus.

The leveled books each begin with a ‘Skills You Can Teach ‘ inside the cover with lists of Sight Words, Story Words, Phonics topics, and Comprehension focus areas , and I found the suggestions very helpful.  There’s also a ‘ How to Read This Book With Children’ list inside each cover –8 steps for parents to follow in order to make the most of the read-aloud time .

T he back cover of the book offers ways to Build Language and Comprehension with a Talk About , a level A from the Math Kit

Owen and Cora especially loved reading the nursery rhyme that begins each of the Nursery Rhyme books.