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Youth Programs

Literacy takes center stage in after-school programs

Literacy takes center stage in after-school programs

SHA after-school providers at a literacy training workshop at Springfield College.

SHA after-school providers at a literacy training workshop at Springfield College.

After-school providers are giving literacy a boost at all seven Springfield Housing Authority program sites.

Nineteen providers recently attended a dynamic two-part workshop designed to foster a culture of literacy within the programs.

The workshop aimed to increase understanding of literacy, the stages of development from emergent reader to fluent reader, how everyday activities can support brain and literacy development and strategies for creating ‘literacy moments.’

“The Springfield Housing Authority is committed to providing opportunities for our young residents to succeed in school.  A critical component of this success is literacy,” said Pamela Wells, resident services manager. “Therefore, we wanted to provide our after school vendors with the tools to create ‘a culture of literacy’ within our seven after school programs.”

SHA Executive Director William H. Abrashkin said it makes good sense, considering the after-school programs serve children from some 125 families.

“It has often been said that until third grade, children learn to read, and after that they read to learn.  And yet it is well known that in Springfield our children struggle, often unsuccessfully, to learn this basic skill,” he said.

The ultimate goal is improved success in school, and beyond that, in life, he said.

“Those who work with our children will do a better job for them as a result of being trained in the importance of literacy and the ways to take advantage of every opportunity or ‘teachable moment’ to improve our children’s attitudes towards literacy and literacy skills.  We are pleased to have facilitated this training for those who work with our children,” Abrashkin said.

Children in the after-school program at Sullivan Apartments.

Children in the after-school program at Sullivan Apartments.

Karen Guillette, who provides training and technical assistance for SHA’s after-school programs, said she hoped the training would help expand staff’s understanding of literacy and provide creative, effective strategies for enhancing their efforts within their programs. She also wanted staff to understand the connection between literacy, neuroscience and exercise.

“Since the workshop, staffers have reported a variety of ways that they have strengthened their approach to literacy,” Guillette said. “Among the many activities being implemented, most sites are making time to read to children for 20 minutes each day.

“Children pick the book and staffers help children make connections to their own life from the story and ask them to make predictions about what might happen next. They might also discuss ‘the moral or lesson’ embedded in the story. One site does 20 minutes of exercise first, led by a student, who then reads a chapter book to children during snack,” she added.

Training was given to those who work directly with children at Duggan, Marble, Moxon, Pine-James, Reed Village, Riverview and Sullivan apartments. The workshop series was provided by Dr. Jennifer Stratton, an assistant professor in the Education Department at Springfield College.

Dr. Stratton, a Springfield native and the first college graduate in her family, recently obtained her Doctorate in Education and is a passionate and motivating educator who knows first-hand the power of literacy.

RiverviewAccording to Dr. Stratton, literacy is a process of meaning making that extends to signs, symbols, and other forms of written expression beyond books.

When it comes to literature, she noted, we need to help children see themselves in books, connect to books and write their own stories.

She urged that the after-school programs have books on hand that are mirrors which reflect the children’s actual lives and helping them make connections and windows which aid children in learning about the world around them.

Toward that end, the Springfield Housing Authority purchased books selected by Dr. Stratton for their cultural relevancy.  Dr. Stratton also obtained a generous donation of books from Sue Kaplan at the Links to Libraries program. 

Participants in the workshop were pleased with the valuable information gained and said they left feeling motivated to begin creating cultures of literacy at their program sites. 

Participant Blake Stevens said she found the training to be perfect.

“It was informative, uplifting, inspiring, and incredibly useful,” said Stevens, who works with children from the Moxon Apartments.

“Incorporating literacy into the program seemed daunting before, but now is very simple. And with the activities that were discussed, my children are becoming excited about reading and therefore excited about school,” Stevens added.

ADC Prevention Services Executive Director Arnold Cox, whose agency provides after-school programs at four SHA sites, said he is certain the training will mean better services for children.

“We want to thank the SHA for providing this wonderful educational training,” Cox said.

“Our staff feels better prepared to take on the task of literacy at our sites now. This will help all of our students.”

After-school fun at Pine-James Apartments.

After-school fun at Pine-James Apartments.

It is hoped that this successful workshop is the beginning of a partnership between the SHA and Springfield College in the interest of supporting academic achievement for youth participants in all of SHA after-school programs.

 

 

4028 days ago / Youth Programs
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