Volume 6, Issue 2

2004 Family Reading Night

The statewide celebration, Family Reading Night 2004 is scheduled for Thursday, November 18. Sponsored by Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Family Reading Night is celebrated annually in Illinois on the third Thursday in November. Family Reading Night is a statewide event where families are encouraged to spend quality time reading together. Contact your local public library or nearest bookstore to see what special plans they have arranged for this evening.

For children to be successful in school and later in life, they must learn to read and write. The time between birth and age eight is considered the most critical period for literacy development.

The 4-H Cloverbud program encourages reading and literacy as part of its curriculum. At the end of every curriculum piece in the Ohio State Extension 4-H Cloverbud Series I and II, is a list of books under the heading “Reading Adventures.” The contents of the books match the subject area of each curriculum piece. Since reading aloud is a great way to help children with their literacy skills, don’t forget about using the recommended books or other children’s books available at your local library.

Reading enhances the life skill of “learning to learn.” The earlier children are exposed to books and reading, the better their chances to develop a lifelong love for reading. The National Association for the Education of Young Children states, “reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for building skills essential for reading success.”

As 4-H Cloverbud volunteers, think about how you can incorporate reading and literacy into your groups’ program. Some suggestions include:

• Ask 4-H Cloverbud members to bring their favorite book from home and to share it at a meeting.
• Attend a children’s story hour at a library or bookstore.
• Create a “reading corner” with age-appropriate materials for 4-H Cloverbuds who finish their activities before the others.
• Invite members to exchange their gently used books with other members or donate them to a day care center or homeless shelter.
• Invite community leaders or seniors to come and read to your group. Then have members draw pictures of the story and send them back to the “readers” as a thank you.
• Invite a storyteller to visit your 4-H Cloverbud group.
• Read books to your 4-H Cloverbud members related to your meeting curriculum topics.
• Tour your local library and talk to the children’s librarian.

Get Up and Move!

Don’t forget the Get Up and Move! materials on the Illinois 4-H web site at www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/move. Monthly physical activity calendars, leader guide, activity guide, and a snack recipe are ready for use by 4-H clubs/groups. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage physical activity by youth and adults – up to sixty minutes per day.

Involving Older Youth as Volunteers

Older 4-H youth can promote fun, sharing, and cooperation by volunteering to assist 4-H Cloverbud groups. By allowing children to be creative, providing encouragement to 4-H Cloverbuds, and promoting parental assistance, older youth can be a real asset to a 4-H Cloverbud group.

Older youth can serve as role models for 4-H Cloverbuds. They can give support and recognition, foster friendships among 4-H Cloverbuds, have fun, and let members know they care for them.

Older youth can serve as a source of support and information as 4-H Cloverbud members complete curriculum activities. An extra pair of hands during “hands-on” learning experiences is always helpful.

Finally, older youth can develop their own leadership skills by teaching some of the activities outlined in the Ohio State University 4-H Cloverbud Series I and II curriculum.