Volunteer Readers sometimes ask how to keep a child engaged if he or she is not interested or not paying attention.  Volunteer Reader Jessica Cothran recently shared a strategy that has worked well for her. She brings the book “Chalk” alive by imitating the illustrations within it.  The book doesn’t have words, but the children look at the pictures and soon realize what’s drawn with the chalk comes to life in the book. 

Jessica and a child mimic the action in the book by pretending to use chalk. They trace each other on the floor, and once they are done, they, too, “come alive.” Jessica has been with the Volunteer Reader Program for the past nine months at Pike Market Child Care and Preschool.  “Things are great!” she reports. “Some of the kids are getting stronger at recognizing letters and words. It’s fun stuff.” 

Thanks, Jessica, for being so creative and engaging!