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CECC encouraging parent and child interaction through 15 minutes of reading

Posted on November 6, 2018 by 40 Mile Commentator
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Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

Reading is essential for everyone to know how to do, but as a parent to read for 15 minutes to your child is a vital communication tool for the future of their development.
The Cypress Early Childhood Coalition (CECC) works with children from birth to six years old and contribute locally and provincially to conversations on how to improve supports, programs and services and policies that affects a child’s early years.
The 15 minutes a day program stemmed locally in the area after the Little Grain Elevator program came to fruition within the last couple of years where boxes were set up in various hamlets around Cypress County for kids to exchange books at.
“If you read to your children everyday, it does a range of things,” said Marilyn Fisher, CECC’s community resources coordinator.
“First of all you’re spending time with your child, which is extremely important. Then you’re giving them lots of language skills because when children are really young, they’re constantly mimicking what they here or see. When you’re reading to them, they’re copying you. That’s how they learn sounds, expressions and emotions.”
She added that research showed that there is educational advantages with literacy and numeracy skills.
Feedback from local families has been good, she said.
It can mean so much to parents when they can re-live the learning aspect of their childhood.
“It’s a special memory for most children when they become adults,” said Fisher.
“You retain that love of learning and reading. You get lost in a good book. Those things don’t go away.”
There are 98 coalitions across Alberta who are doing similar projects for a child’s development and some are doing the 15 minutes of reading.

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