Take Off! - An Early Literacy Outreach Program

An Early Literacy Outreach Program

TAKE OFF! was developed by the Umatilla County Special Library District to offer an early literacy program that would serve the County's preschool children.

Recent brain research reveals that the early years of life are more critical to a child's development than ever realized.  Reading aloud, sharing music and rhymes have an incredible impact on later learning.  The importance of early literacy experiences cannot be stressed enough.

The best time to start reading to a child is the day it is born.  Growing up with books increases a child's vocabulary, builds his attention span, and improves his grammar.  But even beyond this, a child discovers a story can touch the heart.

Children immersed in pleasurable language experiences at a young age enter school at a decided advantage.  Our public library programs support parents and caregivers in providing numerous opportunities for our children to TAKE OFF!

The TAKE OFF! program strives to:

1. address and promote early literacy for all children in Umatilla County through access to story times, books, music, and puppets - this would include providing outreach services to those unable to visit our public library sites.
2. provide modeling and mentoring to parents and caregivers.
3. support other public groups and agencies in their efforts to improve family literacy.
4. enhance efforts to improve our children's school readiness.

Services and Programs  

Demonstration Programming to Daycares, Preschools, Head Starts, and Kindergartens

Rotating Book Boxes, collections of some of the best in children's literature, are circulated among family daycare homes and preschools to provide the children with an assortment of books for use between storytime visits

Free Books, ownership of their own books is important to children, therefore each child we serve will have his choice of a free children's book

Provider Trainings, presentations are available to assist providers in implementing practices that encourage the development of literacy skills

Monthly newsletters, made available for parents and child care providers

Parenting Materials and Brochures, distributed to parents and childcare providers, they not only help explain the importance of reading to children from birth on, but also, how to share books with their children

Current Funders and Contributors to the TAKE OFF! program include:

• Umatilla County Special Library District
• Umatilla County Commission on Children and Families
• Oregon State Library
• Collins Foundation
• Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation
• Autzen Foundation
• Oregon Community Foundation

For more information contact:
Ken Reading
UCSLD Director
(541) 276-6449
P.O. Box 1689
Pendleton, OR  97801
 

Last Modified: 5-14-07