The Oak Bluffs Library is offering a new program called Giggle and Read to help children learn to read before kindergarten. Giggle and Read is the first scripted, fun reading program, so any parent, grandparent, sibling, babysitter, teacher, tutor or caregiver can now teach their child to read in a fun way. The program runs from September through June and includes 84 lessons. Sessions are held three times a week for 30 minutes at the Oak Bluffs Library. Two of the weekly lessons are taught by Giggle and Read in an industry-unique “Play Date” format that pairs children with a learning partner to help them develop social skills while learning to read.
Giggle and Read gradually builds the language skills that prepare for reading: rhyming, segmenting and blending. It also develops fine motor and written language skills (pencil holding, dialogic reading and more) and covers the different parts of a book, left versus right and punctuation. In an email to The Martha’s Vineyard Times, Monica VanHorn, the daughter of the original author of the Giggle and Read program, described the company’s background this way: After VanHorn was homeschooled as a child due to inadequate resources in local public schools, her parents started a small Montessori school and game-based program to make learning to read more fun.
Years later, each Giggle and Read lesson still includes creative games and activities on topics that kids enjoy, like making Valentine’s Day gifts, driving race cars, baking, getting a pet or playing at the beach. The program even shows children how to find books at the library on the topics they find most interesting. Michelle Lynch, librarian at the Oak Bluffs Library, says, “I’m so glad we can partner with Giggle and Read this year to bring this program to as many families as possible. Unlike speaking, reading must be taught explicitly. Some children have trouble learning to read. By combining learning to read with games, parents prepare their child to enjoy reading from the start.” Giggle and Read offers families who sign up to learn to read in a fun way. No expensive apps, gadgets or training required.
Space is limited, so register while there is space. Email [email protected] to register or for more information. This program is sponsored by Library Friends of Oak Bluffs.
