Talking is Teaching offers programs in local churches

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It might seem self-evident that talking to your infant child is important, but it is surprising how many times parents might miss opportunities to engage in direct verbal interaction with their very young kids,

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communication that is critical both to parental bonding and to the development of a child’s social and linguistic skills. It might seem self-evident that talking to your infant child is important, but it is surprising how many times parents might miss opportunities to engage in direct verbal interaction with their very young kids, communication that is critical both to parental bonding and to the development of a child’s social and linguistic skills. Talking is Teaching is a national public awareness and action campaign that helps parents recognize their power to boost their children’s early brain and vocabulary development through simple, everyday actions. Locally, the Talking is Teaching effort is spearheaded by Tulsa Educare, where Andrea Amaya and Pilar Castoe are Bilingual Community Educators. La Semana visited recently with Amaya and Castoe about how the program is reaching out to parents, especially in Tulsa’s Hispanic community.

Amaya and Castoe said that parents should not be discouraged from talking to their infants just because the babies can’t yet talk back.

“It’s important because we know that from the moment babies are born, they’re born to learn and they communicate with us in so many ways, whether it be through cooing or crying,” Amaya explained. “We encourage parents to understand that that’s the way their babies communicate, so they can have a back and forth communication, because one of the bases for academic success is the parent-child relationship, and through talking to them and responding to their cues they are building those strong relationships.”

“It’s true,” Castoe observed. “The connection between parents and children that is bolstered by talking and reading to kids is very beneficial, and the results can be seen throughout their schooling.”

“Some parents might think that the teacher when their kids get to elementary school is their teacher, but we forget that parents are their child’s first teacher,” Amaya said. “It begins at home with the parents because that’s who they see from the moment they’re born - that’s who they learn everything from.”

To expand the initiative beyond the walls of Educare, Amaya and Castoe are taking Talking is Teaching directly into the community through special events held at churches throughout the Tulsa area. Members of the congregations organize the events and recruit volunteers, who receive training at orientations run by Educare. When the event day arrives, Talking is Teaching provides materials, including books, programming ideas and other resources. Ideally these programs turn into monthly events, which can even take the form of dance parties. The important thing is to have parents leave with information and an awareness of the different everyday activities that are actually teaching moments.

The congregations’ younger parents are encouraged to participate as readers at the events.

“Mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- the whole family attends,” said Castoe. “This is a program for the family.”

Amaya said the events are very well received, and range in size from a dozen families to a hundred.

“The one thing we notice is the families keep coming back,” Amaya said.

Events are already planned this month at approximately 15 Tulsa area churches.

For more information or to find out how your church can begin hosting fun and informative Talking is Teaching events, call Tulsa Educare Beyond the Walls at (918) 779-6233.

And remember, whether it’s sharing a book or playing a counting game at the laundromat or singing to your baby in the car, Talking is Teaching. (La Semana)