Readings: The Vocabulary Window

University of Chicago psychologist Janellen Huttenlocher has found that the frequency with which normal parents speak to and around their child during the child's second year significantly affects the size of the child's vocabulary for the rest of his or her life. The more words a child hears during this sensitive period, whether it's "cat" or "existentialism," the stronger the basic language connections.

From "A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain. John J. Ratey, M.D. 2001.

Jumping Off: Jen Robinson's Book Page

Here we begin what will become a regular feature of Literacy Log. We'll start with a website or blog about literacy and follow their featured links to see what we find.

Today's featured site is Jen Robinson's Book Page. Jen focuses on children's books. She explores ways to get books into the hands of children and increase adult interest in childrens' books. Her blog is packed with book reviews and children's literacy news. This "Reviews That Made Me Want To Read The Book" entry is a good example of what Jen's up to.

Jen Robinson's Book Page - Graphic created at Wordle.com.

A few minutes exploring Jen's "Other Children's Literacy Links" section led me to the following places:

• Beginning With Books - Best Books for Babies Archive. Nine years' worth of young children's book recommendations from children's lit experts Dr. Joan Brest Friedberg and Elizabeth Segel.
• Book Pals. - Started in L.A. in 1993, this program aims to foster a love of reading in young children by having trained actors read to them. Their Storyline site is a fabulous resource. At the moment, it features a video of Evelyn Coleman's To Be A Drum being read by James Earl Jones. (BookPals has a Minnesota chapter, too!)
• Inside Out Writers - A Los Angeles-based nonprofit that conducts writing classes withing the Los Angeles Country Juvenile Hall System. Their Writing From The Inside feature gives you a chance to read some amazing student work.
• Literacy Launchpad - A blog run by Amy, an emerging literacy teacher and mother in Nashville, TN. Here, Amy and her readers discuss pre-reading skills that parents can teach their children from birth.
  
• Mission: Making a Love of Reading Happen - In this his article, featured on Amy's blog, New York Times columnist Michael Winerip discusses the various methods he has used to foster a love of reading in his sometimes-resistent children.

That's it for today! A big thank you to Jen Robinson, who has no idea we're using her blog as a jumping off point. And, as always, tell us what you think about these links and others you stumble upon!