Teacher Colleague Letter written at the end of the semester on December 7, 1999

Dear Colleague,
I chose the ROR program, because I thought it sounded more interesting. From it I gained eight wonderful experiences of reading to children. I gained a sense of joy from helping to promote health literacy. I gained self satisfaction from having a positive effect on the community. Three questions that I still have are: Are all of the children really given books twice a year from 6 months to 5 years? Every now and then I would talk to a parent whose child had not received a book yet. What is the actual effect that this program that this program has? how many parents begin reading to their children as a direct result of the program? Is this program in the process of spreading nationwide and becoming more nationally recognized?

Sincerely,
Kate Schlaechter

Today at the doctors office I only read to two children; it was a slow day. The one little girl was seventeen months old and in the middle of the story she wandered off to play. However, I did get a chance to talk to her mother and grandmother. They said that they read books that have very few words, to her at home. I was happy to hear that the childs caregivers had already begun reading to her. Although I did not get much of a chance to read to her she did put on a little show for everyone in the waiting room.

The second child I read to was a little boy who was about one year old. He was very well behaved and sat patiently as I talked to his mom and as I read to him. Unfortunately he was called back so fast that I did not get too far into the book.

Despite the fact that the day was slow I still had a good experience. The parents always thanked me, even when their child chose to play instead of having a book read to them. At first I was afraid to approach the parents, but I always received a warm and welcoming attitude, which helped me to get over my fear.

Monday was not a very productive day at the doctor's office. I only read to one little girl. I feel that the children prefer to play rather than be read to. Even the children that I do read to are playing with toys. The one little girl on Monday was building things with Lego's while I read to her. I know she was paying attention, because she would comment on different parts of the story and she would answer questions that I asked her. It gets kind of frustrating when children run to the toys and respond negatively to being read to. It also makes me feel stupid when I am reading to a child who is playing with toys. I feel like everyone is staring at me and thinking why is she reading to a child that is not paying attention.

On the positive side I usually get a chance to talk to the parent(s). I have found that most parents read to their children on a regular basis.

On Monday I had a wonderful experience at ROR. When I first walked in a mother was reading to her two daughters. After she finished the book I was going to ask if I could share a book with her children, but the nurse called them back. There were not any other children in the room so I decided to rearrange the bookshelf. I picked out popular books and I propped them up on top of the bookshelf; I did this so that the books would stand out and catch people's eye. Then I placed books on the Lego table (I got this idea from our class discussion) and I placed books a few other places around the room. Not long after I had arranged the room a mom came in with twin boys, they were about two years old. I asked them if I could share a book with them and they eagerly responded yes. However, they were very into the toys and kept asking me how different toys worked. After numerous attempts to read to the two boys I decided that they just wanted to play. As I was walking back to the corner the little girl whose mom had been reading to her earlier, came out of the doctor's office and she had picked up a book. I asked if she would like me to read to her and she very excitedly said yes. After I finished the book she chose another one, but her mom and sister had come out of the doctor's office and were ready to go. However, her mom promised to take her to the library if she wanted to pick out some books to read. Before they let I answered of few questions that the mom had to ask.

I returned to the corner to wait for more children. About a minute after I sat down I heard a knock on the glass behind me, I turned around and found myself face to face with one of the twin boys. He looked at me and said, " I want out of here". I asked if he would like me to share a book with him and his brother. Once again he responded yes. This time both boys gave me their full attention and were very disappointed when they were called back.

I checked the time and was surprised to find that my hour was almost up. I could not believe how fast the hour was. Within a minute another mother walked in with her child. I picked out a book that I thought the child would enjoy and asked the mom if I could share the book with her daughter. Her daughter was almost a year and she took the book from me and started to "read" it. I talked to the mom for quite a while. She was not familiar with the program and she had a few questions. I was surprised to hear that her daughter had not received a book from the pediatrician yet. I ensured her that she would receive books in the future, probably starting that day.

Overall, I had a great day. All the children that I read to were attentive and enjoyed the books. I spoke with quite a few parents who were very supportive of the program. I am very happy with the time that I chose, because a slow day for me has been reading to two children. At first I was not sure what was average, but after our class discussion I realize that my days average more children then normal.

Once again today was a very busy day at the doctor's office; there were at least two children in the waiting room during my entire hour. However, I only had a chance to read to two children, but I attempted to read to others. Half of the children that came in went into the room for ill children so I did not have a chance to read to them. A couple of moms came in holding children who were sleeping so I did not get a chance to read to them either.

The first little boy I approached was fascinated with a dump truck. I sat on the floor and discussed filling a dump truck with dirt and then dumping out the dirt. I had a book with me and asked a couple times if he would like me to read to him, but he could not tear himself away from the dump truck.

The second child that I approached was extremely shy. She would not look at me or talk to me. I placed a book on the lego table and told her if she changed her mind I would be there to read to her. Then I had a brief discussion with her mom about ROR and about the little girl's shyness.

The first child I read to was kind of shy. I do not think that he was comfortable having a stranger read to him. I tried to ease his comfort by discussing different books that he has read and what books are his favorite.

The rest of the afternoon went pretty much the same. I think a lot of children wanted to play outside, because the weather was so nice. Even though I only read to two children I did get to talk to a couple of parents. I have found that most parents are very friendly and think the program is a great idea. Not only has ROR helped me encourage children to read and parents to read to their children, but it has also helped me to feel more comfortable in approaching both children and adults. During my first visit I was really nervous and felt uncomfortable in approaching both the parents and the children. Each week I feel more and more comfortable talking to parents and reading to the children. I have also learned different techniques to use to make reading a book more fun (as opposed to playing with the Legos). I have found that standing the books up on the shelf and placing them around the room makes the children more interested in them.

Once again I had a great day at ROR. There were two little girls in the waiting room when I arrived. The one little girl was eager to have me read to her, but the other little girl was shy. As I was reading to Jessica the other little girl, Amelia, kept looking over at us. I held out the book so that she could also see the pictures and I read loud enough for both girls to hear. After a while Amelia came over and had me read to her, too. I was very excited when Amelia finally warmed up to me. I ended up reading at least five books and many of them I had to read again and again. Then they had to play and I was invited to their party. They pretended that it was my birthday and I received many gifts, ate cake and drank punch. Other children came in and I invited everyone to listen to the book that I was sharing. Some of the kids played while I read, but I think that they were still listening. The two little girls were in the waiting room the entire time that I was there. I decided to check the time and much to my surprise I found that it was a couple minutes after 2:30. My hour went by so fast.

As I left the waiting room I had a really good feeling. I think being around children is an excellent way to relieve stress. While I was reading to the children and playing games with them I forgot about all of my homework and all of the stressful things in my life. I also had a good feeling, because I knew that what I was doing had a positive effect on the community.

On my last reflection you asked if anyone else from ROR was at the office at the same time. The answer is no, but I think it would be great if someone else could come and share in the same wonderful experiences that I have been having.

For the first time this semester there weren't any children at Oxford Pediatrics when I first walked in. My first thought was that I was going to have my first slow day. I decided to rearrange the books on the bookshelf, like I normally do. Right after I had the books all over the floor two children walked in with their parents. I quickly picked up the books and picked out an age appropriate book to read. As I stood up the nurse came out and called them back. I was disappointed that I did not get a chance to talk with them. I went back to the bookshelf and continued my mission of organizing the books.

After a while a little boy came in with his mom and grandma. I asked if they were familiar with ROR. Both answered no so I gave a brief description and answered any questions they had. I began reading to the little boy and he loved it. This was the first time that I had a one-year-old give me their full attention while I read. Since the office was kind of slow the little boy was called back right away.

After a couple minutes another one-year-old boy came in. His mom and grandma did not know what ROR was so I explained it and answered their questions. Like the first boy, this boy also gave me his full attention until I had finished the story. After the book he showed me his tractor. Once again they were quickly called back.

Although the day started out slow it was still a good day. I was so happy when both children gave me their full attention. I know that one-year-olds tend to be very restless and like to explore their surroundings. I have found that each week it becomes easier and easier to approach the parents and their children.

Today was a typical day at ROR. When I walked in there were children in the waiting room. I shared a book with a little girl who was 18 months old. She didn't seem too interested in the book; instead she wanted to play with the Lego's. I continued to read to her as she played. I have somewhat got over feeling uncomfortable reading when children are playing. I understand that they are still paying attention, but it is still kind of awkward.

The next child I read to was a 16 month old boy who was a wild child. I did not get too far into the book before he had wandered off in the search of toys. I spoke with his mom for a little while and found that she was familiar with ROR. This was surprising to me, because most parents do not seem to be familiar with the program.

About a half hour after I had arrived at the office a swarm of people came in. There were at least 6 children in there. One little girl approached me and asked if I was here to read to the children. I answered yes and then she told me about everything in her life. I asked if she would like me to read to her, but she said she wanted to go outside and play. I went over and asked another child if I could share a book with her and she said yes. There were so many people in the office that it was hard for me to read to her and not to be distracted, not to mention that she was also distracted. When I finished the book the office had cleared up and my hour was over. Once again I had a wonderful experience.

Monday at the doctor's office I had a chance to read to one little girl and I made an attempt to read to a little boy. With the little girl I had a wonderful and new experience. She was very eager to have me read to her, but after a couple of pages she decided that she wanted to read. She picked out an easier book and began reading it to me. I had to help her with almost every word, because she was still in the process of learning how to read. This experience helped me to realize how important the ROR program is. It was amazing to actually be a part of this girls' learning experience. I know I have mentioned before that sometimes I feel like the child might not be listening when I am reading, but from this experience I saw the long term effects that this program has. I realized that introducing books to children at young ages makes them interested in books and eager to read them on their own. The little girl read to me for a almost forty-five minutes. She would point to words, I would say them and then she would repeat them. She even volunteered to write the title of the books, that we had read, on the sheet that I was to turn in after the hour. I think this was a wonderful experience for me to have, especially during my last session. It made me realize that all the work I have done all semester has really had a positive effect on promoting literacy.