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How to make reading fun!: A guide for parents

June 1, 2009 - 11:25am — CLEL

While librarians know how to read a story aloud so that kids will enjoy it and have fun, it's not second nature for parents. Therefore, the Literacy Alliance of Fort Wayne, Indiana has created a cool handout that helps parents learn how to read a story to a child so that it will be a fun experience for everyone! This two-page handout also shares a wealth of information about why reading aloud to children is important and the early literacy skills a child can develop.

Grocery Store Literacy

May 27, 2009 - 4:01pm — CLEL

Reading Rockets' Ed Extra (free monthly article in English and Spanish suitable for use in school or library newsletters) this month talks about ways to turn a trip to the grocery store into an early literacy learning experience. Games reinforcing print awareness, letter knowledge, phonological awareness, and vocabulary are described. This is a great article to share with families! Download it here.

Early literacy information delivered directly to your inbox!

May 18, 2009 - 12:07pm — CLEL

Denver Public Library's "Literacy at the Library" is a monthly e-newsletter that shares early literacy information in a fun, easy-to-read format. The May/June 2009 issue explains print motivation and offers tips, arranged by child's age, for developing this skill. Sign up to have the newsletter e-mailed to your inbox, or read it (and past issues) online.

Happy Anniversary, Very Hungry Caterpillar!

April 28, 2009 - 9:33am — CLEL

That perennial classic children's picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, celebrates the 40th anniversary of it's publication this year.  Still a huge hit when read aloud to young children, the book is a great tool to use in reinforcing early literacy skills, especially narrative skills and print motivation.  Read more about Eric Carle and the origins of this wonderful book in the LA Times

Raising a reader in just 15 minutes per day

April 17, 2009 - 12:33pm — CLEL

Here's a great article from a mom about how her two children are learning to read: differently.  She emphasizes how important reading aloud is, but also how important it is to support a child's interests and make reading FUN!  Here's an amazing fact from the article you can share with new parents:  "Experts tell us that by the time children enter kindergarten, they will need to have 1,000 hours of literacy learning experience behind them if they are to read on

Literacy Blog

April 13, 2009 - 12:12pm — CLEL

Literacy is Priceless is a blog created by Anna Batchelder, an education consultant, and contains lots of helpful information and resources for people working to help children in grades PreK - 6 learn to read.  Check it out!

ALTAFF and Nordstrom Books for Babies Grants - Deadline April 15!

April 6, 2009 - 2:42pm — CLEL

ALTAFF, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations is offering 20 matching grants of $500 each to be used for purchasing Books for Babies Kits from ALTAFF.  Books for Babies is a national program that seeks to educate parents about the important role books play in a child's development.  For more information and a link to the application, click here.

Do forward-facing strollers affect a baby's language development?

April 2, 2009 - 2:27pm — CLEL

It seems that young children transported in forward-facing strollers have less interaction with their parents than children who ride facing towards their parents.  Read more about the implications of this discovery (and the possible effect on a child's language development).

Celebrate the Week of the Young Child!

April 2, 2009 - 2:06pm — CLEL

April 19 - 25 is the Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Why not celebrate by hosting a parent training or special storytime?  Or talk to your local media and propose a story on what your library is doing to promote early literacy education for young children?  The possibilities are endless!  For more information, click

The Storybox Special arrives in Alamosa!

March 16, 2009 - 10:51am — CLEL

The Southern Peaks Public Library in Alamosa has debuted a new program aimed at growing the early literacy skills of children in the area.  Designed to reach children in home daycare programs, as it is often difficult for these groups to make visits to the library, the "Storybox Special" includes boxes of 20 books that are delivered monthly to each participating daycare.  In order to receive the boxes, however, the daycare providers must attend a workshop in which they

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