Souns for Literacy - Souns is listed by Rotary International's Literacy Resource Group (RILRG) as an instructional literacy option. The program began in Rotary and works through Rotary to move children and adults seamlessly into the fundamentals of reading and writing. The Souns program is designed primarily for infants and toddlers, but is applicable for certain family and adult literacy projects as well. Souns provides an informal, hands-on, simple introduction to the fundamental tools of printed language - print symbols in association with their most common sounds. Letter-sound knowledge is the most direct link to success in reading. The program is based on research, particularly hand-brain connections, object labeling, as well as language and shape sensitive periods in our youngest of children. Souns gives the right information (letter sounds), at the right time (birth to three), and in the right way (kinesthetically and incidentally). Souns consists of large, satiny smooth, vanilla white, durable (dishwasher safe) nylon symbols with Braille discretely placed on each. There is an essential guidebooklet and a helpful (but not required) DVD. Souns project options include: providing materials to library lap/sit classes for infants and toddlers; providing symbols one at a time to challenged babies through organizations such as Babies Can't Wait; and international literacy projects such as SounsAfrica. Wherever the Latin alphabet is used, Souns works (whatever the language). Be creative! If you have an idea for a project, share it with us. Souns is a program that can dramatically impact Rotary's fight for the life and dreams of children. Click here to see more!