Welcome to Summer Reading time! With so many families coming to the library for books and movies and programs, it's a great time to promote early literacy!
I wanted to share something my library is doing that I think is especially cool. At Arapahoe Library District, we have 4 programs every summer--one for babies and toddlers, one for kids, one for teens, and one for adults.
Adding a song or two to your storytime is a great way to encourage phonological awareness -- the ability to hear the smaller sounds that make up a word. One of the cds I LOVE is Songs for Wiggleworms, which sadly isn't available anymore except in downloadable form. Many libraries still have it though! It has great participatory songs like "Walking Walking" and "Wheels on the B
By now I'm sure you've all heard that Jerry Pinkney's beautiful book The Lion and the Mouse is the recipient of this year's Caldecott Medal. I was personally so taken with this book, that uses only pictures (and a few animal sounds) to retell the Aesop's fable of a Lion who lets a mouse go and how the mouse is able to return the favor. Sharing wordless books, or nearly wordless books (like Jez Alborough's Hug
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
Two Colorado libraries recently drop-in early-literacy activity programs for families of toddler and preschool children. The activities in the programs are based on familiar nursery rhymes, highlight an early literacy skill, and feature tips for parents and caregivers. Read more about the Busy Buzzy Bugs program from the Poudre River Public Library District and the Nursery Rhyme Time program at the Arapahoe Library District.
Most libraries already invite listeners (babies, toddlers, and preschoolers), as well as readers to participate in their Summer Reading Programs.
More and more libraries are offering separate reading programs just for their youngest patrons, which often include activities for caregivers and young children to do together, in addition to reading books.
If you haven't already, check out this article by CLEL's own Priscilla Queen entitled "Libraries: A Natural Community Partner".
By now I'm sure you've all heard that Jerry Pinkney's beautiful book The Lion and the Mouse is the recipient of this year's Caldecott Medal. I was personally so taken with this book, that uses only pictures (and a few animal sounds) to retell the Aesop's fable of a Lion who lets a mouse go and how the mouse is able to return the favor. Sharing wordless books, or nearly wordless books (like Jez Alborough's Hug
