Category Archives: Public Libraries

Birth To Three Institute in D.C.

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What invigorating conversations with beautiful, passionate people were enjoyed at BTT Institute, June 12-14. Souns is committed to making a difference in early literacy for children, and open hearts and like-minded educators at this event were like a stream running through it without end. Another wonderful BTT Institute, another year toward a better world for children learning to read and write.We learned and laughed together as we played being the child for a bit! It was a very good thing. (1066 and all that)

 

 

Souns in “luv” with Colorado Springs!

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What an energetic and committed group of literacy minded folks are to be found in Colorado Springs. We trained teachers and volunteers and presented Souns for three days. I had little time to catch my breath, and that was not a result of the altitude. The beauty of the natural environment is only matched by the drive for every child to read in that bustling community. I applaud my new friends and the birthing possibilities for literacy through such a powerhouse of community support.

A fellow Rotarian determined to pave a road for literacy in Colorado Springs says:

What a delight it was to host Brenda Erickson on her great first visit to Colorado Springs, CO! She came to train and inform about thirty volunteers of the “GET SET!” program at First Pres Church. “GET SET!” provides one year of school to thirty-four youngsters from economically-challenged families of our inner-city area, preparing them for the following year of kindergarten. The teachers see SOUNS as an excellent opportunity to enhance the reading readiness of the two “Get Set” classes.

Brenda also presented SOUNS to our Rotary club, to the Director of our Public Library’s program for infants, toddlers, and young children, and was invited to present SOUNS to a meeting of a large ‘Alliance for Literacy’ group. Great groundwork was laid, and a solid foundation awaits Brenda’s future returns to our city/county area of about 650,000 people, scheduled for sometime in August or September.

I must say that we had great fun in these three days of connecting with other folks who are passionate about literacy! —Robbydale and Minor, June 6, 2012

Thank you all for making this trip so worthwhile. Every – YES, EVERY – child will read!

“Our Children Are Thriving!”

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The communication below is from a family who received the Gift of Literacy, a program sponsored by Counterpane and facilitated at the Peachtree City Library by Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Peachtree City, GA, in RD6900. Funded by the Counterpane Golf Classic and community donations, the GOL gives participating children a Souns symbol each month until they have all 26 letters.

Dear Souns Folks!

I wanted to give you an update on [my daughter] – we joined the program through the Peachtree City Library when she was 9 months old and have since moved away. The attached picture is of her and her 17 month old sister. I have always kept the Souns materials available, but not pushed the subject in a formal sense. We have decided to homeschool and have recently started [my daughter] on the Kindergarten curriculumn. We owe a large part of our decision to your program – [she] started reading 3 months ago and today she sat on the floor “teaching” her sister [to write] her name! 

She learned phonics, simple sounds that connected to a physical presence (we also used oversized, lowercase refrigerator magnets), and read at least a dozen books a day (and every other sign, magazine, and written word) because they’re fun. She now knows letter names (they came easily and there was no struggle with connection, which I feared.

Now, [her little sister] wears Souns as bracelets and though she is a late talker, she has no problem making the sounds her sister has taught her – [the little one] is far more physical and having the souns to manipulate is vital for her.

I apologize for not corresponding more, but thought you should get a Thank You from myself and my family. We never could have afforded a program like this on our own but our children are thriving with it. 
I wish you only the best!
Thank you!

One Souns family with two little girls (and a future Souns baby on the way)

Every – YES, EVERY – child will read!