This is one of the strongest suggestions I make in my advice  on building skills of intelligence and literacy!!!!!!!

Teachers must have books and reading material available in every formal Learning Center, and every informal area on your campus where children may be present – including on the playground.

I advise teachers to use literacy devices in Enrichment classes such as second language, technology, dance, music, art, or movement and that books be made available to children in any areas where they may need to wait for events to occur. (Car Circle, Arrival/Dismissal Area, Napping Room, Outdoor Art or Science Centers). Children must have access to the written word in every facet of their learning in order to make the print to language or print to meaning or print to action connection and in order to have ready written resources and references to their purposeful play.

The advantage to learning from having access to print is EXPLOSIVELY significant!!!!!

Book ‘Em, Teachers! – I am not sure why there is any reluctance to place books and words in every area of a facility, but I do encounter this in some programs. Teachers should carry books with them during any transition outside the classroom in case there is a wait for the next event to begin. Some teachers say they do not want their books to go missing or to be damaged; some say books taken outdoors are sometimes left there; some programs do not have enough books to risk them; and some say, “Books must be treated too specially to be removed from the Book Nook”.

If taking books out of doors bothers you, then make letters out of sticks and pine needles; put paper towel wads and paper cups in the holes in your chain link fence to write words; write in the sand. If you have too few books, have a Book Fair, ask parents to go to the library, make a plea to your neighborhood community, and tell your Administrators to ‘massage’ the budget and find some book monies.

Books are special – too special to sit on a shelf. They must be cared for, but they must be used to be truly valued. I say, an abundance of books and reading material give the children opportunities to connect every part of their learning experience to literacy and literacy is the key to accomplishing our mission of optimal learning.

Next Blog: More Curricular Elements – Gross Motor Time