Early Literacy Activities
Throughout the summer, we have discussed different areas of building early literacy knowledge for babies and toddlers, and we shared ideas of how you can do that.
Kids
Program Updates: Collecting Beads for your Summer Reading Necklace
We are moving right along with our summer reading program, and a lot of you have been busy, busy readers! However, not many people have collected any beads yet, so we wanted to share a brief instruction on using the Prize Store.
Under your child’s account in ReadSquared, go to the Prize Store tab (in the app, the icon looks like a shopping cart). You’ll see the number of points you have available to you, and can choose any beads you have enough points for. Repeat this for each child.
Tip: choose higher value beads first!
Family Fun: HORSE
Some public athletic facilities are open for limited play – how about mixing up your routine a little with some basketball? It’s OK if you think you’re the worst b-ball players ever (sorry, but my household actually wins that title!) – you’ll get some sunshine, a little physical activity, and most likely, some giggles. Our favorite game is HORSE.
Early Literacy Activities: PLAY
When it comes to encouraging literacy skills, outdoor play is just as important for babies and little ones as indoor book- and toy-based play. When we think “early literacy,” we think of books, and storytime, and of sitting to either read or listen. We think of looking at pictures and telling stories with objects representative of the story’s objects (for example, a red ball as Snow White’s apple). What we don’t often think about are large (gross) motor skills and their part in literacy development.
Program Updates: Rosalita’s “Sea Story” Puppet Show TONIGHT!
Watch Rosalita’s Puppets presentation of a Sea Story on Zoom tonight, Monday, August 3, at 6:00 PM!
In this puppet show, Miranda the mermaid saves a pirate! Rosalita’s Puppet show features beautiful marionettes in an original story that is appropriate for all ages. This story is sure to be full of daring, bravery, kindness, and adventure!
Family Fun: Backyard Camping
Camping can feel like such an adventure for a kid – and such a chore for parents! How about a compromise? Set yourself up for some backyard camping this weekend. You can create the same experience without the vacation traffic! Just be sure to stock up on these essentials…
Early Literacy Activities: WRITE
Regardless of whether today’s kids will learn to print, write cursive, or type on a keyboard or screen – they’ll need to have strong fine motor skills. There are so many fun ways to build your child’s hand strength and coordination! At the library, we use Busy Boxes after storytimes with preschool-aged children; you can recreate these activities at home. Some of our boxes include:
Lacing Cards
Program Updates: (Re)Imagining Your Storytimes
It’s hard to imagine, but we are now halfway through our summer reading program – Imagine Your Story! (If you haven’t joined the Read & Bead program or want to know more about it, check here!)
Featured Author: Liesl Shurtliff
All summer we’ve been retelling Folk and Fairy Tales in our storytimes.* We also have a whole collection of Folk Tales in our picture book area, with retellings of folk and fairy tales from around the world – from the most popular to the most obscure. In fact, they’re being moved to a more prominent location, so when you are able to come visit us in Youth Services again, they’ll be easy to find!
Early Literacy Activities: READ
Reading and vocabulary go hand in hand – one can improve the other, and vice versa. How fortunate that reading and talking to your baby is so easy! Little ones learn words at an amazing rate. The more words he learns now, the more he will be able to express and understand (spoken and written) later in life.
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