The Dallas Public Library has been fortunate enough to join in partnership with several other arts and literacy organizations as part of a groundbreaking partnership called the Dallas Arts Learning Initiative (DALI). As part of DALI, Dallas Public Library’s is implementing its first major initiative called Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas. This program focuses on early literacy, which is everything children know about reading and writing before they can actually read and write.
Our goal is to educate parents, caregivers and childcare providers by offering free pre-literacy workshops for three age levels: Early Talkers (birth to age 2), Talkers (ages 2-3) and Pre-Readers (ages 4-5) in community locations across Dallas. Workshops and related programs will be offered free in all neighborhood locations such as libraries, recreation centers and nonprofit agencies. Additional programs are added each month to our schedule so please keep checking the website.
There is also a special resource area for our Facilitators. Please click on the link which will take you to the Facilitator login page.
About
Research shows that 50% of parents are leaving out a vital nutrient for their young child's mind...reading. The goal of Every Child Ready To Read @ Dallas is to help parents of young children improve the chances for their children's success in reading and learning in school.
Children
It is important to note that a child's first three years have
a lifelong impact on mental development, and a child's early experience
with language contributes to healthy brain development.
The children’s age levels covered in this early literacy program are:
- Early Talkers (birth to age 2)
- Talkers (ages 2 and 3)
- Pre-Readers (ages 4 and 5)
Parents and Caregivers
Parents are their children’s first teachers. Caregivers also assist in children’s early literacy. Through Every Child Ready To Read @ Dallas parents and caregivers can attend any of the three age-level workshops where they will learn about the 6 pre-reading skills and art forms that reinforce these reading skills in children.
If you would like to attend a Parent and Caregiver Workshop, please view the workshop schedule and submit a request form. If you have questions, please call 214-670-1708 for more information.
Facilitators
Facilitators will be available at many different workshop locations around Dallas to provide Every Child Ready To Read @ Dallas workshops for parents and caregivers. At these workshops, facilitators will review the 6 pre-reading skills and art forms that support reading. We are looking for facilitators that are bilingual (English-Spanish) at the present time. If you are bilingual and would like to be a facilitator, please contact Denise Lyons by email denise.lyons@dallaslibrary.org or by phone 214-671-8060.
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist us at the various workshops. This volunteer opportunity will allow for working with children doing crafts and stories while the parents attend workshops. We will be hosting a training session for these volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering for Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas, please contact Tim Moody, Volunteer Coordinator at the Dallas Public Library, by email at timothy.moody@dallaslibrary.org or by telephone at 214-671-8374.
If you have questions, please contact:
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Voice: (214) 670-1708
Fax: (214) 670-7839
outreach@dallaslibrary.org
6 Pre-Reading Skills
- Narrative skills: Being able to describe things and events
and tell stories.
(Art form emphasis - storytelling) - Print motivation: Being interested in and enjoying books.
(Art form emphasis - bookmaking and related crafts) - Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.
(Art form emphasis: theater and drama) - Phonological awareness: Being able to hear and play with
smaller sounds in words.
(Art form emphasis: music and poetry) - Letter knowledge: Knowing letters are different from each
other, knowing their names and sounds, and recognizing letters
everywhere.
(Art form emphasis- shapes and spatial relations) - Print awareness: Noticing print, knowing how to handle a
book and knowing how to follow the words on a page.
(Art form emphasis - drawing)
Regular Events & Special Programs
Forms in English
-
“Yes,
I am a Parent or Caregiver and would like to attend a workshop!”
(PDF : English) / (Fill Out Form Online)
Formas en Español
-
“¡Si,
Yo Soy Padre o Niñero y Quiero Ir al Entrenamiento!”
(PDF : Español) / (Complete la Forma en Línea)
Workshop Locations
- Locations
- If you would like to be a host site contact Denise Lyons denise.lyons@dallaslibrary.org / 214-671-8060.
How can I help?
If you are interested in volunteering for Every Child Ready to Read @ Dallas, please contact Timothy Moody, Volunteer Coordinator at the Dallas Public Library, by email at timothy.moody@dallaslibrary.org or by telephone at 214-671-8374.
