Mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties, grandpas, grandmas, and adults who wanted to learn exciting techniques on how to effectively read to young children joined the 8-week, once a week adult courses. The series of adult classes started last Jan. 11, 2010.
In the class sessions, reading techniques such as:
1) Making words sound their meaning — speaking firmly with words like “tough” or speaking softly with a word like “shy” helps the children understand words better.
2.) Incorporating reactions from the children — children react to stories in different ways. Addressing reactions positively encouraged the children to listen intently yet not to make them just sit silently and passively. Incorporating their reactions with the story makes the storytelling more enjoyable for them and the reader.
3) Keep a good pace — Do not rush the story. If you do rush, children will be distracted. Keep the story flowing, allowing children to enjoy the illustrations.
4) Encouraging physical dramatization — for example, if a character is flying, encourage children to follow your lead of flapping your arms. This action helps dramatize the story and also let the children release some energy.
5) Ask children what they think will happen next — this technique provides a way to build language skills and encourage creative thinking; were taught and demonstrated by the Motheread/Fatheread certified trainers.
Parent participants to the adult training were asked at the end of the course, “Did class discussions or writing activities help you feel more connected to your children? How?”
A parent commented, “What we do in class, I do at home and I have found out that my kids are more creative, full of ideas and opinions than I thought.”
Another parent said, “ Yes, we got to do hands on activities together then discussed how to do them, and if it did not work we discussed how to make them work. We shared thoughts, and ideas. I got to know how my children thinks.”
Closing activities were prepared by the adult participants to celebrate the completion of the adult course.
Tinian Elementary School parent participants made two presentations. Sessions at this site were held every Thursday and Saturday.
Thursday’s group planned a “Parade of Books” activity.
They selected a favorite scene from each storybook that they used in the class sessions and dramatize the scene with props and sound instruments.
Also included were their children holding up blown-up illustrations of the storybooks as part of the whole activity.
Saturday’s group on the other hand gave out testimonies of how the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread program was beneficial for them, and they also shared real life experiences on how they ended up signing up for the Motheread/Fatheread adult classes.
Maria Rios, Tinian Elementary principal, remarked upon the importance of parental involvement in their children’s education and instilling to the children the importance of reading.
Janet King, NMI Council for the Humanities board member, acknowledged the participation of the parents thanking them for supporting the council’s programs in literacy.
She also shared her own life experiences growing up on Tinian, and how her parents have provided that critical support to achieve her educational goals in challenging times.
Viola Deleon Guerrero, program coordinator, thanked the parents for their continued support, the Americorps site supervisors, Brenda Safer, and the student volunteers: Raena Cing, Sherlyn Cruz, Shelina Cruz and Raestissha Iglesis for providing learning activites to the children of participating parents at Tinian Elementary School.
She emphasized that without this collaborative efforts success of “Helping Families Learn Together” will not be possible.
The Motheread certified trainers at this site were: Lou Connie Manglona, Marianna Omengkar, and Bryan Manabat.
The completion ceremony was held last Saturday, March 6, in the school cafeteria.
Participants were Marlyn Cabulay, Ines Acido, Pamela Borja, Sydney Biton, Marsha Maratita, Mercy Anciano, Maria Maritese Cruz, Josefina Biton, Sheila Dela Cruz, Virginia-Ann Castro, Angela C. Reyes, Rosario Maestardo, Corazon Borja, Juanito Matalog, Jasper Borja, Lisa Marie Aguon, Celina Farrell, and Hae Jin Na.
The schedules of adult course classes for the CNMI Head Start centers are as follows:
• March 15 – Kagman and Tanapag Head Start centers, 6 p.m.
• March 16 – Dandan, San Antonio, and Oleai Head Start centers, 6 p.m.
• March 17 – Chalan Kanoa, Garapan, and Sinapalo Head Start centers, 6 p.m.
• March 18 – Tinian Head Start Center, 6 p.m.
• Every Thursday – Songsong Head Start Center.
For additional information, contact Viola Deleon Guerrero or Bryan Manabat at 235-7319, 287-9416, 789-6601, or e-mail cnmimotheread@gmail.com, or read.learn.achieve@live.com.
