Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Babbling Day – October 21

Small Talk: how to develop
your child's language skills
from birth to age four
Nicola Lathey & Tracey Blake
The Experiment, [2014] ©2013
Babbling Day – October 21

Babbling back to babies helps them to speak faster: Researchers prove that attentive mothers aid child development
Mothers who interact with their babies speed up their language skills
Parents who do not respond to their child's gurgling inhibit development
US researchers studied 12 mothers and their babies over a six month period
Daily Mail: 8.28.2014 by Jenny Hope

It may just sound like baby talk, but mothers who hold a ‘conversation’ with their infants are actually teaching them to speak more quickly.

Researchers found new mothers who respond enthusiastically to their baby’s babbling are helping to speed up the child’s language development

They say parental feedback is a vital process that enables mothers and babies to become mutually engaged in ‘talking’.

It enhances the ability of children to communicate – unlike cases where mums did not respond attentively.

A new study, by US academics at the University of Iowa (UI) and Indiana University, serves as evidence that speaking to infants at a very early age is vital for their development.

The authors say parents who babble back at their newborns – even if they don’t understand what they’re trying to say – are a key part of the process. READ MORE !

Monday, October 20, 2014

National Day of Writing – October 20

National Day of Writing – October 20

Top 5 Infographics of the Week: The Importance of Writing


It's something you do everyday, yet you probably take it for granted. In fact, your day depends on it. Writing and reading are some of the most fundamental skills in our lives and it is especially crucial to students and those in the workforce. Studies have shown that workers spend an average of 2.6 hours per day reading and responding to emails.

That adds up to about 27 days per year! Reading and writing is clearly a big part of our life, yet literacy rates have been stagnant in the US for the past 10 years. Currently 32 million adults in the US cannot read, and it isn't showing any signs of improving. So today we're showing some infographics about the importance of writing, whether it be offering tips about note-taking, getting kids more engaged with books, or tackling the decline in literacy in America. Take a moment out of your day and just read.

#1: Write It Down by Course Hero
•Does note talking really help? According to a Professor at Cornell, after 20 minutes we forget 47% of what we learned. After 1 day, it increases to 62%, and after 78 days it jumps to 78%.
•Taking notes by hand combats forgetfulness by nearly 80%.
•Despite the benefits of note taking, only 65.5% of students take notes during class.  READ MORE !

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Whittier Literacy Scrabble Challenge - October 17



Join us for our annual Scrabble Challenge!
October 17

SCRABBLE fans!! We need you!!
Come play, eat dinner, and win GREAT prizes!

First Church of Christ Hall on Hadley @Newman Hall
6:30-8:45
Call (562) 698-6598 for registration information.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Literacy Library Jobs - California ::: Butte Co

Literacy Jobs - California

plans directs and supervises the daily fiscal and business activities of literacy grants, budgets and program expenditures in support of the operational literacy agenda for Butte County
This is a SUNSET POSITION that is set to end 06/30/2015
DEADLINE: Oct 17

Room to Read – San Francisco
conduct quantitative analysis of literacy achievement data for the purpose of determining appropriate fluency rates in each of our languages
DEADLINE: Open

Kaplan – San Diego
will assist in a family Literacy Program
DEADLINE: Open


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Carlsbad Library :: City Supports Increased Literacy Rates

City supports increased literacy rates
Coast News: 9.30.2014 by Ellen Wright

“Low literacy costs this country more than $225 billion each year in workforce non productivity and the loss of tax revenue due to unemployment,” Heather Pizzuto, library & cultural arts director, said.

In California, 4.5 million people cannot read above a fourth-grade level, Pizzuto said.

The Carlsbad City Library Learning Center is trying to change that with the literacy program, which celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this month.

“The program is not just a worthy cause, but a necessary service,” Carrie Scott, community outreach supervisor for the library, said.

At any time the free program has between 70 and 80 pairs of tutors and learners.

Volunteers and learners must agree to an hour and a half of service, twice a week for a minimum of six months.

Scott said there’s no shortage of volunteers or learners although matching up people’s schedules can be a problem. The larger the pool of volunteers and learners, Scott said, the easier it will be to match people.

Another issue the program faces is getting the word out to the people who need it the most, Scott said.

“You don’t know who might struggle with reading and writing in their lives,” Scott said, “which is why it’s so important to get the word out.”

A lot of learners hear about the program through word of mouth.

Nyla Henry is an adult learner who heard about the program from her boss and said the program has greatly impacted her.

“This program has given me a new life,” Henry said. “I still have challenges but I have tools to help me work through them and overcome them.”  READ MORE !

Easy Voter Guide: Your Voice. Your Vote. November 4, 2014

Easy Voter Guide: Your Voice. Your Vote.
November 4, 2014 California General Election

Table of Contents

View the Easy Voter Guide online in English or Spanish.
View and download printable guides in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Los Angeles Public Library - Pros and Cons



The League of Women Voters will present "Pros and Cons" programs at various LAPL branches during the month of October. These informative one-hour programs will give a non-partisan description of each ballot measure—along with arguments by both supporters and opponents—to help voters make better decisions when they go to the polls on Election Day.

Get the facts, hear the arguments both pro and con, and decide for yourself!

Cut through campaign hype about the November ballot measures and learn the facts! The League of Women Voters will give non-partisan descriptions of each ballot measure, along with arguments by both supporters and opponents.

Upcoming events

October 9, 2014 6:30PM to 7:30PM
October 11, 2014 1:30PM to 2:30PM
October 18, 2014 1:00PM to 2:00PM
October 18, 2014 3:00PM
October 21, 2014 6:00PM to 7:00PM
October 21, 2014 6:00PM