Bring a Free Early Childhood Literacy Workshop to your School or Library!

NH State PIRC has a team of volunteers ready and willing to teach parents of children birth-5 years how to help their children make the most of story books and language. If you are in a parent-teacher group, parent support group, play group, or something simlar, and can help organize the event, our volunteers can come and offer the workshops for free. Please download this brochure (PDF) or call Kimm at 848-5446.

PIRC Receives Funding for North Country

NH State PIRC was awarded funding from the Granite State Reads grant to offer the RiF training to 15 additional volunteers in the North Counry (traiing to be held in Littleton).  Stay tuned for information about that upcoming training.

Meet Some of Our Volunteers!

Gil Lazich - Dubbed "Grampa Gil" by Head Start children in several communities, volunteer Gil Lazich is no stranger to the love of literacy. A high school drop out turned Doctor of Education, Gil has first hand knowledge of how literacy can change a life. Gil has taught grades 5 through graduate school and spent the last several years as a volunteer for NH Reads AmeriCorps. "If all else fails "READ the directions" is one of his favorite quotes. What does Gil like to read? Spy thrillers and ("as an old history teacher") biographies.

Marianne Munjone -
Marianne’s initial love of reading came after a rocky start. She says she was never really smart in school, but had really great professors who provided encouragement and gave her the motivation and perseverance to keep moving forward. A retired nurse, Marianne now gives back by being a volunteer tutor for a local non-profit organization and offering the Bonding with Books workshops in central NH.

NH State PIRC has many volunteers throughout the State.  Please call us if you would like to offer a workshop in your area.

Literacy Volunteers Celebrated April 21

It was a cool drizzly evening outside, but inside there was a warm glow of gratitude and thankfulness as the Parent Information Center recently held its first Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the NH Audubon’s McLane Center in Concord NH.  Celebrating the work of the Board of Directors, Volunteer Advocates and Let’s Read Together early literacy volunteers, Heather Thalheimer, Executive Director welcomed the nearly 50 attendees with distinctive Lindt chocolate-filled goblets as she recognized each volunteer’s unique contribution to assisting the agency with supporting educational achievement for NH families.

Volunteers enjoyed a catered Italian buffet from the Common Man, and an inspiring talk from Lewis Feldstein, President of the NH Charitable Foundation (and former wine steward to John Wayne).  Lew referred to the volunteers as the real supermodels of our times — models who are not grounded in their own image and needs but in serving others and sharing their talents, passion and most importantly time.  Read More.

Want To Volunteer?

You don’t have to be an expert, just share your time and love of reading with others. A successful volunteer is friendly, flexible, and willing to learn. We provide all of the training, and all materials needed for workshops free of charge, including free books, CDs, and DVDs to give away to parents. You will receive a stipend and expense reimbursement for the workshops you provide (as few as two as many as you like!)

Of course you’ll also reap the benefits and satisfaction that comes from sharing the love of literacy plus lots of “thanks you’s” from NH parents and children and from NH State PIRC staff.

To learn more about volunteering contact NH PIRC’s Training and Volunteer Coordinator Kimm Phillips or call (603) 848-5446.

Download Brochure (158kb PDF)

Download Volunteer Application (PDF)

"Let's Read Together" Literacy Volunteer Program

Let’s Read Together was created to assist families to help children become strong readers. All of the Let’s Read Together workshops are designed for parents of infants through five years old. Each session teaches important skills needed to explore language, language development and encourage an early love of books. Sessions range from 30 to 90 minutes and can be offered individually or as a series. The workshops provide parents with fun, practical, easy-to-learn tips and ideas on how to introduce books and sounds.

For more information about these workshops, contact Kimm Phillips at 848-5446 or LetsReadTogether@nhpirc.org. or visit the this page.

Workshops Available

Bonding with Books
This workshop provides an overview for parents of how to introduce books to very young children and develop a sense of what types of books are appropriate for different ages. Bonding with books is currently available in a 60- or 90-minute format, in both English and Spanish.

Creating Literacy-Rich Environments*
This workshop helps participants create an environment that encourages young children to explore and make discoveries about language and literacy through play, routines and other daily experiences. Learn how to use pictures, books and song to individualize the environment in response to culture, personal interests and language.

Reading Aloud*
Reading aloud to young children is one of the most effective ways to support language and literacy development. Children who are read to from infancy associate reading with pleasant, warm feelings. This workshop focuses on reading aloud in a way that engages and actively involves young children. 

Where Conversation Leads*
Children begin to learn about conversation in infancy when their families and caregivers respond to their sounds and gestures and play games and sing songs with them.  This workshop focuses on engaging children as equal partners in conversation and encouraging children to build listening and speaking skills as a tool for thinking and learning.  

Making My Mark: The Writing Connection*
Children pass through stages as they develop drawing and writing skills.  Writing helps children develop an awareness of how print is organized and used and how it is related to spoken words. Learn how you can support children's growth from early scribbling to learning to write their name.  

Supporting Language and Literacy Every Day*
Language and literacy skills are connected to more than just reading. There are many activities during the day that provide an opportunity to have fun with words. Learn how to promote literacy in a wide range of activities from pretend play, to self expression, to painting,  to finger plays, songs, and more. 

Make Reading Fun: Creating Your Own Books
This interactive workshop provides ideas, tools and materials for parents to learn how to make simple books. No matter what your comfort level is with reading, making a book and sharing a story with a young child is a fast (and easy) way to help children grow to love books. Leave this workshop with a hand made gift for your young child.

Interactive Reading: Storybooks and Storytelling
This workshop instills lasting, positive affection toward books!  It expands on what a book offers to increase learning, communication, and vocabulary. Participants learn to talk about the words, pictures, and even the design of the book with their young children.  Attendees also go home with their own new book to start using their new skills right away!

* Developed by the national organization  Reading is Fundamental.