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As part of our ongoing commitment to providing all children with the best possible start to their learning journey, the team at Monkey Bars are currently researching various literacy programs to evaluate their effectiveness.
Both our parent & child program "Play|Laugh|Learn" and our "Pre-Kindy Programs" incorporate a significant focus on early literacy development however we also recognise the need for school aged children to have extra assistance as they begin on their next adventure of learning how to read.
Being one of many in a classroom environment makes it difficult for children to have the dedicated attention that they require to help them focus on their reading skills as they move from emerging to skilled readers who can comprehend and analyse complex text. Reading for understanding requires an active thinking process that is influenced by the reader's prior knowledge and experiences.
Strategies for increasing literacy development focus not only on improving reading skills, but also on developing the higher-order thinking skills that enable students to comprehend, analyse, and communicate about ideas. Well-designed literacy programs provide students with frequent opportunities to use language--reading, writing, listening, and speaking--for varied and authentic purposes.
Proficient readers monitor their understanding as they read. When the text doesn't make sense they use strategies that include:
- Activating background knowledge
- Making connections between new and old knowledge
- Self-questioning to clarify and deepen understanding
- Drawing inferences by using background knowledge along with textual clues
- Separating main ideas from details
- Monitoring understanding of text
- Employing fix up strategies to repair confusion
- Using sensory images to understand and visualize ideas
- Synthesizing and extending thinking, going beyond the information given
Our aim is to continue researching best practice techniques and to formally offer children the extra guidance needed by way of small workshops to encourage their skills and development.
More information is available from our staff at info@monkeybars.com.au
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