Reading program is taught in Spanish

It might be a universal truth that all kids love a good story.

But for children whose first language is something other than English, learning to read those stories can bring special challenges.

The Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard recently wrapped up Hispanic Reading Nights, a 10-week pilot program aimed at improving the literacy of Spanish-speaking children.

The program is designed to improve first-language literacy. In other words, by improving a child's skills in Spanish, the child ultimately will improve their English literacy skills, too, as research indicates that reading skills can be transferred from language to language.

The program includes stories and craft time -- all conducted in Spanish -- for students in kindergarten through third grade from Lombard Elementary School District 44. Attendance ranged from five to 12 kids each week, said Linda Schehl, head of adult services at the Plum library.

As an added bonus, the program also is helping Spanish-speaking families learn more about what the library has to offer.

The Hispanic Reading Nights program was spearheaded by Janet Reece, assistant principal for instruction at Glenbard East High School, with help from Schehl.

Teen volunteers from Glenbard East's Latinos Unidos organization read to the children and planned crafts relating to the stories. The children also took turns reading to each other.

Maria Sanchez, a native of Oaxaca, Mexico, brought her three children to the program.

While they speak Spanish at home, her children do not read or write in their native language. This program has been helpful, she said.

Sanchez's daughter Ari Lopez, 11, said, "It's fun. I'm learning more Spanish. Everyone gets a chance to read, plus there's a snack."

Volunteer Mayra Toledo of Lombard, a sophomore at Glenbard East, said she likes the fact that she's helping kids learn about their heritage and teaching them the value of education.

She also hopes to make school a little easier for children who take part in the program.

Toledo herself started kindergarten speaking no English.

"No one guided me," she said.

Glenbard East sophomore Anayeli Beltran said she and the other teen volunteers also benefit personally from the program -- volunteers are polishing their Spanish vocabulary and enhancing their leadership skills.

"We're also helping ourselves as we're helping them," she said.

The Hispanic Reading Nights program will start again in 2008. For details, call the Plum library at (630) 627-0316 or visit www.plum.lib.il.us.