We can't wait until high school - alarming literacy rate

Reach kids early in their social and emotional development

May 18, 2009
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Submitted by: Paula Schwed
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At the two high schools attended by most WINGS kids, more than 40% of incoming freshmen read at a 4th-grade level or worse. Translation: they don’t read well enough to  understand the content in their textbooks and keep up in class. The Charleston Post & Courier series about this alarming lack of literacy raises key questions about how best to help these struggling students. We can’t wait until high school! It’s vital to reach them early in their social and emotional development. That’s why WINGS targets the elementary school years to build the skills that help kids sustain focus, remain motivated and feel self-confident. Research shows that social and emotional skills create a solid foundation for all kinds of learning - including the reading skills too many kids lack.

Related topics: free social skills activities, after school programs that teach emotional intelligence

Visit WINGS: Learn more about social and emotional development of children

It's frustrating for everyone

On May 25th, 2009 Nicole Lovecchio says:
I see kids each day struggling to get through their assigned reading. Almost every single one would rather close the book and give up than ask for help or actually try to sound the words out on their own. Through various social skills activities at WINGS, we teach kids perseverance, ways to limit distractions, positive self-talk, and goal setting, all of which are important skills kids should utilize throughout school. It is so sad when our graduating 5th graders can't write a thank you note or a get well card without major misspellings. We hope that by teaching these critical social skills (along with teachers AND parents focusing on phonics and the basics of the English language) our WINGS kids will be part of the small percentage that rise above the statistics. Nicole Lovecchio Program Director WINGS @ Chicora Elementary