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Letters are Characters Picture

Summer 2022 Session Now Open!

Click to Register
Picture

What is "Letters Are Characters"?

Picture
This program and coinciding text is an innovative play-based program designed to get every type of learner ready to read!

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, two-thirds of fourth graders are not reaching fluency benchmarks. But, involved parents and caregivers can change that. The journey starts here with Letters Are Characters.
​
Bring the alphabet to life in this fun book designed for both parents and children. When letters become characters, young learners can do what comes most naturally--play, laugh, and learn about the characters and their stories. They do this while simultaneously breaking the phonemic code... the essential first step to reading.

Too often, we see otherwise bright, capable children's self-esteem and enthusiasm for learning plummet because they lag behind their peers in their acquisition of early reading skills.

In Letters Are Characters, Dr. Wilcox Ugurlu has brought her unique perspective as scientist, educator, and parent to create a playful, compassionate, and well-informed program for parents to help their children begin to build critical reading readiness skills. --Paul B. Yellin, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, Director, The Yellin Center for Mind, Brain, and Education. 

During our in-house, 8-week program, each participant will receive a Letters Are Characters kit including:
 
· A brand new box of scented crayons and a Letters are Colors coloring book;
· A Letters are Characters Book (return to Torrington Library when finished);
· Letter Dough Powder with a storage bag for your finished dough.
 
Each parent will receive a weekly instructional letter and video, plus unprecedented access to Letters Are Characters creator, Dr. Caroline Ugurlu via email or phone. WOW!
 
If you cannot register for the live class, or there is not a session running, you can study parts of this course through the Letters Are Characters text book, which is available at the library. 


Why a focus on literacy aquisition?

A child’s knowledge of letter sounds by age six is the most important indicator of future reading ability. Letters are Characters gets kids ready to read in a fun and engaging way ensuring that they get the right start. It also empowers parents though awareness and understanding of the science of reading and the brain.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, more than 2/3rds of American children are not proficient readers by 4th grade.  Together we can change this trajectory.

If we read to our children, they will:
  • Do better in school
  • Be more empathetic
  • Be happier
  • Develop stronger bonds with you
  • Develop imagination and creativity
  • Have improved language skills
  • Be better at thinking, understanding, reasoning and problem-solving
  • Have a framework to talk about tough issues
  • Be  more likely to read for fun.

You are your child's first and most important teacher.  Ensuring that children read well, often, and deeply is one of the best gifts you can give a child. If a child struggles when learning to read, do not wait to begin intervention. The greatest gift that you can give to children is time and attention. 

Introduction Video
Program Site
Parent Testimonials

​
​We would like to thank our Summer Session Letters Are Characters sponsor, Jayne Bentzen
Contact Us / Staff Listing
Torrington Library
12 Daycoeton Place
Torrington, CT  06790
Ph: 860.489.6684
Fax: 860.482.4664
info@torringtonlibrary.org

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Library Hours

​10:00am-6:00pm  - Monday, Tuesday, Friday
10:00am-8:00pm  -  Wednesday & Thursday
10:00am-3:00pm  - Saturday
10:00am-1:00pm - Saturday July/August Only

The Children's Room closes 15 minutes before the rest of the library.
The public computers shut down 30 minutes before the rest of the library. Thank you! 
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  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Trustees
    • Book Nook
    • Library Tours >
      • Virtual Tour
    • Contact/Staff Directory
    • Directions & Parking
    • Employment Opportunities
    • History
    • Hours & Holiday Closings
    • Library Policies
    • Mission/Guiding Principles
    • School Outreach
  • Using My Library
    • Apply for a Card
    • Search Our Catalog
    • Cake Pan
    • ClearView Vision Reader
    • Copier & Fax Services
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Customized Book Order
    • Fine Free Info
    • Interlibrary Loan
    • Library Hotspot
    • Library Pass Program
    • Loan Periods
    • Newspaper Archives
    • Microsoft Office
    • Periodicals
    • Public Internet Access
    • Renewals
    • Room Rentals >
      • Community/Meeting Rooms
    • Tax Forms
    • Quiet Study Rooms
  • My Account
  • Online Resources
    • Ask a Librarian
    • FamilySearch
    • Featured Resources
    • Historical Documents
    • Hoopla
    • Kanopy
    • LinkedInLearning
    • Mango Languages
    • Libby E-Books/Audio Books
    • Libby Help
    • ResearchIT CT
    • Social Service Directory
    • Tumble Books
  • Children
    • Welcome
    • Events
    • Children's Mural Project
    • Letters Are Characters
    • Teacher's Toolbox
    • Tumble Books
    • Torrington Public Schools
  • Teens
    • Welcome Teens
    • Teen Events
    • Teen Advisory Board
    • Teen Summer Reading
    • Sponsor a Teen
    • D&D Club
    • Mural Project
    • Teacher's Toolbox
    • For Students
  • Events
    • Event Registration
    • Book Clubs
    • Calendar of Events
    • Upcoming Events Blog
    • Murder in the Stacks
    • Salem Witch Trails Virtual Mystery
    • Titanic Virtual Game
    • Taste of Torrington
  • Donate
    • Donate Today
    • Enriching Partners
    • AmazonSmile
    • Planned Giving
    • Used Books
    • Dictionary of Torrington Biography
    • Donor RSVP