For Parents

Welcome Parents!

Take a moment to view this welcome video featuring Program Coordinator Michele Callwood.  For more information early literacy skills, child development, and reading tips, please see our downloadable resources below.

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Welcome!

This is a space where you will find resources that will help you make reading with your children easier and fun! You will also find valuable information about development and education for children 0–6 years old.

About Raising A Reader

Sharing books at home regularly has been proven to bolster children’s school readiness skills and excitement about reading, leading to long term success in school.

Raising A Reader works in partnership with early childhood education and family support programs in San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties to provide materials and support for children, their families and educators so that this fun and effective practice becomes a daily habit. Each week, children bring home a bright red bag filled with wonderful children’s books and ask their parents to read with them. This simple routine of engaging families in the joyful practice of daily book-sharing fosters early brain development, builds early literacy skills, strengthens social and emotional development, and ensures that children enter school ready to learn. Raising A Reader also provides parent training, family literacy events, and workshops and in–classroom support for educators to ensure that adults and children alike continue to experience success with book sharing.

Resources:

Child Development:

Interactive Book Sharing:

Bilingual Family:

Reading Routines:

Partners and Community Resources:

Read more about our programs!

Video Resources

I got a Blue Bag! ...Now what?

If your child recently received a Blue Bag from Raising A Reader, be sure to view this presentation on how to make the most of your Blue Bag experience!

Reading Builds Strong Brains!

When reading with your child, let him or her take the lead. Ask your child questions about the pictures they see, and invite them to tell you more about what’s happening on the pages - you’re building confidence and brain power each time you share a book together!

Practicing Prediction and Building Vocabulary

Edith shares her experiences sharing books with her child. As you read together, asking questions about what your child thinks will happen next in the story helps build prediction skills. Introduce new words as you share the book together - you’re building vocabulary and setting your child up for future success!