June 30, 1999
EDUCATION TIPS FROM UAB OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
1.Feed a Bookworm, Watch it Grow Summer reading programs encourage kids to read for fun, but books offer children much more than the simple pleasure of reading. "Books contain facts about life, pictures of different and interesting things, meaningful words that create feelings and silly things that make us laugh," says Sharon Ramey, Ph.D., developmental psychologist and director of the UAB Civitan International Research Center. "They help children tune in to life and become interested in things outside their immediate, everyday environment. They help children learn about language -- not just vocabulary, but how to put words together. And children's stories often teach valuable lessons about life and social behavior." Call Joy Carter, Media Relations, 934-1676.
2.New Program Helps At-Risk Kids Get Ahead The University of Alabama at Birmingham has launched a new program to help children of low-income families who are at high risk for developmental problems, including learning, communication and social problems. UAB Early Head Start is a family-focused, home-based program. "We will be providing services to the mother and child at home, rather than working with the child in a childcare center," says Fred Biasini, Ph.D., program director. The program targets mothers with substance abuse problems, families at risk for child abuse or neglect, and teen moms. "The children of these families are at highest risk for developmental problems. Our hope is that we can intervene and help these parents and children." Call Joy Carter, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-1676/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: http://www.uab.edu/news.
3.Are Parents Up To Home Schooling? In the wake of the school shootings last spring, interest in home schooling is on the rise. But are most parents up to the job? What does it take to be an effective teacher? "You have to have plenty of time, a knowledge of child development, and patience," says Jerry Aldridge, Ph.D., a UAB professor of education who has collected research on the topic. "It can be hard for parents to be patient because they aren't objective. That is why the children of teachers are often placed in other classrooms. Also, home schooling has been criticized because the children generally don't interact with other children of diverse backgrounds. They may participate in social groups, but often the groups are homogeneous." Call Gail Short, UAB Media Relations, 205-934-8931/[email protected]. UAB News on the Web: http://www.uab.edu/news.
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