September 29, 2003

LANSING – A new licensing rule that took effect September 1 for child care providers in Michigan requires that 30 minutes a day be set aside for specific literacy activities.  Governor Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the rule today at a visit to a child care center in Livonia.
 
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading to children every day,” Granholm said.  “Reading is a vital life skill that ensures children will grow up to be successful.  Reading to children pays powerful dividends in the long run.”
 
Governor Granholm’s visit served as a prelude to the Early Childhood Education Summit that will be held in Lansing on Tuesday where the Governor is expected to review her administration’s efforts to improve early childhood education in Michigan.
 
The Governor also announced that all day care consultants employed by the state have been trained in early childhood literacy activities by the Michigan Department of Education.  She added that the Michigan Community Coordinated Child Care Association has developed literacy training programs for child care providers in Michigan and will possibly be offering the training for parents as well.
 
Granholm explained that the new rule is one of the goals of Project Great Start, an initiative she announced in her State of the State speech earlier this year to encourage early literacy efforts and parental education.  Project Great Start is one of the key components of the Children’s Action Network (CAN), the Governor’s effort to break down the silos of state government to the comprehensive services the State of Michigan provides its children.  CAN agencies meet regularly to share data and develop unified, interconnected strategies for better serving children. 

Under the new rule, child care centers could use a wide array of activities to implement a literacy curriculum.  They include exhibiting written finger plays, songs, and rhymes that encourage children to read the written words they recite.  Centers also may coordinate literacy activities with homework supplied to parents.  Centers would also be required to post a daily lesson plan guide related to literacy activities as a way to encourage parents to read to their children at home.
 
“Children are eager to learn, and presenting literacy activities to them at an early age engages their innate curiosity and instills in them a love of reading,” Granholm said.  “The sooner we can interest children in reading, the more success we will experience in making sure they have the brightest future.”
 
The new rule was developed by the state in conjunction with child care providers, children’s advocates, and public policy groups.