Babies & Books

Babies & Books...Early Literacy Program for Birth to 12 months

Second and Fourth Tuesdays -- 9:30a to 10:00a

Kindergarten probably seems like a long time away.  Still, every day, your baby is actively learning skills that will help him/her when that first day of school arrives.  Long before your child learns to read independently and write his/her name, he/she will be gaining an understanding about reading and writing. Early literacy programs are structured to help children develop in six areas to help them get ready to read and write.  These are:

• Print Motivation – this is enjoyment of books
• Phonological Awareness – children become aware of rhyming words, alliteration (brown bear), syllables and cadence.
• Print Awareness – children become aware of words both in books and in the world around them; they differentiate between words and pictures
• Vocabulary – children learn the pronunciation and meaning of words
• Narrative Skills – children learn to retell a story (What happened next?) and develop reading comprehension
• Letter Knowledge – children learn letter shapes, names and sounds.

The Library’s early literacy programs will be offered most Tuesdays, beginning February 5th.  Scheduling alterations will be noted on the Library website.  Programs are free.  No registration is required.  Preschoolers, ages 3 to 5 years-old, are invited to attend Storytime Express, offered most Tuesdays at 11:45a.  For more information on any of the Library’s Early Literacy programs, please call the Library at 815-223-2341.