The book reading and reception was such a wonderful opportunity for the kindergartners to show off their newly mastered reading skills confidently. It was special to get their very own book from Dr. Majeed to celebrate their success and remember their accomplishment,” comments a parent at Self Development Academy
At Self Development Academy, we have introduced a heartwarming tradition for our kindergartners and first-grade students. They embark on a journey, first learning to read a book, then bravely reading it to a room full of parents, grandparents, and other significant adults in their lives. The culmination of this journey is a special moment – they are gifted the book, a tangible symbol of their reading achievement, to add to their home library.
Recently, our youngsters mastered the art of reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They then shared their accomplishment with a room full of proud parents and grandparents, and finally, they received the book as a gift to take home, a testament to their reading prowess.
We envision our children getting numerous opportunities to read the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar to their parents, grandparents, friends, and siblings at home and beyond. They can also take on the role of reading mentors for their younger siblings, a responsibility that fosters their own reading skills and nurtures a love for books in their younger counterparts. Imagine these kindergartners and first graders holding their younger siblings in their laps, turning one page at a time while they read aloud. It’s A precious sight!
As they read the book fluently, our children are not just honing their own reading skills, but also fostering a love for books in their younger siblings and cousins. This scenario becomes a cherished activity that helps build self-confidence in the emergent or early readers. It’s a cycle – reading one book fluently leads to another and then another, paving the way for a lifelong love for reading.
READING OUT ALOUD BUILDS CONFIDENCE
“The sight of all the kindergartners and first graders confidently reading on stage was a heartwarming spectacle. Their fluency and enthusiasm were truly impressive,” adds another parent, clearly moved by the children’s reading prowess.
Learning how to read is a complex process, easy for some and more difficult for others. As parents and educators, we play a crucial role in helping our children develop a strong foundation in literacy and a desire to read. By providing an environment that values reading for pleasure, we can encourage children to practice reading, thereby developing fluency and comprehension.
The educators at SDA trust that when the students take these very special books home, parents take the time to listen to them read and reread. Those will be special bonding moments. It is also hoped that students will want to read to their friends and relatives. Parents’ encouraging role will provide the impetus for developing a love for reading.
WHY THE GIFT OF FAMILIAR BOOK
A book that they learned to read in class with their teacher and friends becomes a unique treasure. They take home the book and can read it as often as they want. The selection of the book was based on their familiarity with Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children love listening to Eric Carle’s book being read to them; now, they can read it independently.
Reading a treasured book creates fond memories of their early reading experiences. The fact that they could confidently read aloud in a group setting with adults makes it even more meaningful for our youngsters. They remember positive experiences with the book, first the excitement and effort required to sound out letters and words, and then proudly showing off their success by reading to a gathering of supportive parents and other adults. What a priceless moment to experience as children and witness as parents.
By giving this gift of a book, we hope to plant the seeds of a lifelong love of reading and a lifelong longing for learning.
PARENTS’ PRECIOUS MESSAGE
“We appreciate the commitment to instilling the love of reading in the students at SDA. Events like The Very Hungry Caterpillar reading show that this comes from the top down. Dr. Majeed and the rest of the staff did an excellent job of curating an event that was meaningful to the parents and students alike,” said one pleased parent.
“We loved seeing our daughter and her classmates excited to read the story and receive a copy of the book from Dr. Majeed herself. Our daughter could not stop talking about how much fun reading to everyone was and how she loved getting a book to add to her collection.”
“Thank you, Self Development Academy, for such wonderful opportunities to see what our children are learning,” commented David and Gillian Berry, parents at Self Development Academy.
To learn more about Self Development Preschool, please contact (480) 396-3522. For the accelerated K-8 program, Self Development Academy, call Self Development Academy at (480) 641-2640.