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Developing
Distance-Devotion |
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| As we have discussed, learning and
literacy are highly influenced by emotion. A quiet snuggle while reading a book on
Grandmother's lap can make any child want to read. But what is the solution when Grandmother
lives 1000 miles away? A fax machine.
The
Family Fax Network: Fax machines provide instant,
tangible contact between
a child and an extended family member. Unlike a
computer, with a fax machine a child can easily transmit hand-written or hand-drawn
communication, thereby providing opportunities for
sharing language. This exchange of personal expression between
child and grandparent encourages neural connections about language. Hence, as
we read in How Young Children Learn
and Reading With Your Child, the
foundation to literacy is strengthened.
Inexpensive and full of value:
The best fax machine for children to use is the least expensive. They use rolls of inexpensive
thermal paper which do not require any replacement toner. With proper supervision,
young children can quickly learn to fax a note, drawing, or their name. In turn,
extended family members from all over the world can reply.
Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you make your family fax network
an ongoing family reunion:
- Most fax machines come with the capacity to store numbers. Use photos of
relatives next to the corresponding, programmed,
speed dial buttons.
- Since the thermal fax paper is on a roll, short notes can be sent using half a
piece of paper. This will conserve paper on the receiving machine.
- Use black ink - blue ink and pencil do not transmit well.
- Just as Grandmother puts her grandchild's drawing on her refrigerator, have your
child put Grandmother's art work on your refrigerator.
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| A personal
note from one of our associates: When my children were young, they faxed Grandma their report cards, favorite
jokes, poetry, essays, 4-foot birthday signs, holiday greetings, etc. In turn,
Grandma faxed back pictures, praise, and promises. When my children became adults,
they faxed tangible visits that Grandma could read over and over while sitting in her
living room chair. Then Grandma became ill and lost her language skills. To help her
recover, we continued to fax her everything from cartoons to This Day in History.
Soon her language re-emerged. Through the fax machine, she was re-connected to the outside
world and with those who love her most. Now that Grandma is 86, we still fax her
every morning, promptly at 8am. She faxes back later in the day, reporting on life
in the home for partying octogenarians. |
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