Literacy Lessons for Little Learners:"Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty

Welcome back to our Early Excellence Project blog series, where we aim to turn reading into an adventure for our youngest scholars. Today, we're spotlighting "Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty, a delightful story that follows Ada, a curious girl who embarks on a quest for answers through science. This book not only entertains but also inspires children to ask questions and explore the world around them. Let's dive into some engaging activities to accompany this read.

Questions to Ask After Reading

Discussing "Ada Twist, Scientist" with your child can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the story. Here are some questions to get the conversation started:

• What makes Ada a good scientist?

• Why is it important to ask questions?

• Can you think of a time when you were curious about something like Ada? What did you do?

• What did Ada learn by the end of the book?

• How can you be a scientist in your everyday life?

These questions encourage children to reflect on the value of curiosity, perseverance, and the scientific method in discovering the world around them.

Sight Words to Search For Within the Book

"Sight words" are frequently used words that young readers should recognize by sight. "Ada Twist, Scientist" offers a great opportunity to practice these. Here are some sight words found in the book: ask, why, how, what, when, where, who.

As you read the book with your child, make a game of finding these words. This activity supports the development of reading fluency, a key principle in the science of reading, by enhancing word recognition skills.

Drawing Activity: Connect with the Book in a Creative Way

Engage your child's imagination and reinforce the story's themes with a simple drawing activity. You'll need only basic supplies and a little creativity.

Materials Needed:

• Paper

• Crayons, markers, or pencils

Activity Instructions:

• Invent Something: Inspired by Ada's love for science, ask your child to draw an invention they dream of creating. It could be anything from a robot that cleans their room to a machine that makes candy.

• Science Experiment: Have your child draw a picture of themselves doing a science experiment. Encourage them to think about what they would study and how they would do it.

• Ada Twist, Scientist Portrait: Invite your child to draw Ada Twist in her lab, surrounded by all the tools and gadgets a scientist might need.

This drawing activity not only taps into your child's creative side but also encourages them to think like scientists, fostering curiosity and imagination.

"Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty is a celebration of curiosity, a love for science, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. By engaging with your child through thoughtful questions, sight word identification, and creative drawing activities, you're not only supporting their literacy development but also encouraging them to think critically and creatively about the world around them. These activities are designed to be simple, requiring no prep and using materials you likely have at home, making learning both fun and accessible.

Stay tuned for more engaging literacy lessons for our little learners. Happy exploring!

Introducing the Early Excellence Project: Literacy Lessons for Little Learners

The Early Excellence Project is excited to launch a monthly blog series where we share lessons to help guide you through the exciting journey of introducing your child to the world of books and teaching your child how to read. If you ever searched on Google: how to teach my child to read,  how to make reading fun for my kid, or how to help my child learn to read, then you are in the right place!  Our approach is simple and fun, tailored to help you foster a love of reading in your little learner. Before you get started, consider these tips for inspiring a love of reading in your little learner! 

Tip 1: Explore the Book

The first tip seems really simple but is often overlooked. As you start on your journey of helping your child fall in love with reading and teaching your child how to read, begin by showing your child a book. Let them feel the cover, turn the pages, and look at the pictures. Explain the parts of the book: the front cover, back cover, and spine. Make the experience interactive by asking your child to point to each part as you name it.

Tip 2: Inspire Storytelling

The next tip is to introduce your child to the creators of the book, the author and the illustrator. Use your favorite book as an example, and explain how the author writes the story and the illustrator creates the pictures. Encourage your child to imagine creating their own story or drawings. Help your child envision themself as storyteller by encouraging them to take on the role of an author or illustrator. Even if they are just scribbling on paper, inspiring a love for storytelling will serve them well in their journey to developing a love for reading. 

Tip 3: Create a Fun Space to Read

This next tip is another simple one, that makes a huge impact on your learning to read journey with your little learner. Try setting up a cozy reading space together. It can be a corner of the living room with cushions or a special chair. The key is to make it inviting and comfortable, a place where your child looks forward to spending time with books. 

Tip 4: Engage in the Story

Choose a book together. Use funny voices for different characters to make the story come alive. Ask your child questions about the story as you read, and let them turn the pages. This engagement turns reading into a playful and interactive experience. Act it out and get silly to create a real love for reading for your child. 

Tip 5: Review What you Read

Here is another tip that you probably already do,  after reading, discuss the story. Ask questions like: who are the characters in the story, what happened in the story, and what was your favorite part of the story. Encourage your child to imagine a different ending to the story. This conversation deepens their understanding and enjoyment of the story.

We hope you found these tips helpful as you navigate the journey of introducing your child to the wonderful world of reading and work to teach them how to read. Join us each month for more tips on turning reading into a joyful and enriching experience for your child. Together, let's ignite a passion for reading in our littlest learners!

Program Spotlight: Executive Coaching for Childcare Center Leaders

Elevating Early Childhood Education Through

Leadership and Management Excellence

The Early Excellence Project stands as a disruptor in Early Childhood Education. We are committed to bridging the opportunity gap and dedicated to redefining leadership within childcare centers. Dr. Crystal Smith-Rose, Director of Workforce Development and Capacity Building at the Early Excellence Project, leads executive coaching for childcare providers.

Understanding the Challenge

The childcare sector in Pennsylvania and the broader United States is at a critical juncture. While the demand for quality early education is high, there is an increased need for leadership development within childcare centers. This gap is reflected in:

• Pennsylvania: A noticeable disparity between the demand for childcare services and the availability of qualified early childcare professionals.

• National Trends: High turnover rates of early childcare professionals and a shortage of leaders with necessary credentials impact the early childhood education field.

This challenge impacts not just the quality of childcare but also the viability and growth of these essential centers.

The Early Excellence Project's Innovative Approach

The Early Excellence Project responds to this challenge by offering executive coaching for childcare providers. This program goes beyond just training; it's about transformation. We support growth in several ways:

• Executive Coaching: A focused approach to develop robust leadership and management skills.

• Business Stabilization: A focused approach to build systems that withstand economic instability. 

• Mentoring: Personalized guidance to navigate the complexities of running a childcare center.

• Professional Learning: Ongoing education tailored to the evolving needs of childcare running a childcare business. 

Our Commitment

The Early Excellence Project's Executive Coaching program is designed with an asset-based approach, focusing on elevating each childcare center to its highest potential. Our goal is to enhance the quality of each center, encouraging them to reach new heights in standards and accreditation. This approach is underpinned by a deep respect for the unique journey of each center, recognizing that a 'one-size-fits-all' strategy is not effective in the diverse landscape of early education. We understand that every center has its distinct trajectory and set of needs, which we are committed to acknowledging and supporting. Central to our ethos is the value we place on the expertise of our providers. By acknowledging and building upon the rich experiences and knowledge they already possess, we ensure that their voices are integral to the learning process. This asset-based framing not only empowers each center but also fosters a more inclusive and effective pathway to leadership and management excellence in early childhood education.

The Impact: Beyond Leadership Development

The Executive Coaching program aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Empowerment: Leaders are equipped to enact meaningful changes within their centers, enhancing the quality of care and education.

• Quality Improvement: Effective leadership is directly linked to the overall improvement in childcare services.

• Sustainable Growth: Leaders are guided to develop sustainable business models, ensuring long-term success and impact.

Join Us in This Transformative Journey

Sign up to receive executive coaching from a member of our team by clicking here.