Print Awareness

Print awareness is one of the six early literacy skills necessary for a child to have in order to be ready to learn to read. Print awareness is noticing print everywhere, understanding how to hold a book properly, and understanding that the words and letters on the page have meaning.

Children have to understand how a book works before they can be ready to read. They should know that books have front and back covers, are held a certain way, and that you read from the top of the page down and left to right (in English). They need to know that the words have meaning and that the words and pictures work together to tell the story.

Here are some ways you can help your child develop print awareness:

· Start babies out with soft padded books or board books with rounded corners that they can grasp and chew. It’s important for babies to explore books with all of their senses.

· Point to the words in the book as you read.

· Let your child turn the pages as you read.

· Turn the book upside down and see if your child notices. If not, tell him it was not the right way for reading and turn it right-side up.

· Point out signs as you are out and about and read them to your child.

· Point out print wherever you find it – cereal boxes, restaurant menus, recipes, shopping lists, etc.

· Play “I Spy” with words you see while driving (for example “I spy an M” as you near a McDonald’s).

· Read to your child every day.

These are just a few ideas to help your child develop print awareness. The more your child is exposed to print, the more she will see how print is all around us and used in our lives every day.

Guest post by Allison C.

Building Early Literacy Skills with Preschoolers

Recently I came across a great early literacy article online entitled "5 Tips To Build Language & Early Literacy Skills With Preschoolers During Book Reading." Written by Sarah Holden, a speech-language pathologist who has worked with children in both private practice and in schools, the article recognizes the “hurry up” nature of modern life and the push for teaching children to talk and read faster and earlier. The author advocates for slowing down and spending time on developmentally appropriate early literacy and language skills that are foundational to reading.

The article gives the following five simple tips to remember when reading to children:

· Slow down – Read just one or two books at a nice pace instead of rushing through four or five. Children need time to process the words being read. Take time to look at the pictures, ask questions, talk about the story.

· Be dramatic – Use your voice to highlight new vocabulary. Point to the pictures as you read a new word. If the word isn’t depicted by the illustration, make the word come alive with actions and gestures.

· Re-read – Children need to hear new words more than a couple of times to increase their vocabulary, and children with the richest vocabularies become the best readers. It may drive you crazy to read the same story over and over, but it is good for your child!

· Describe often/ask questions occasionally – Ask questions that encourage your child to predict, describe, and make inferences about the characters' thoughts and feelings instead of yes or no questions. For example, you can ask "What do you think will happen next?" before turning the page. Spend more time talking about and commenting on the story than asking questions. You can predict what happens next, relate something in the story to your own life, relate a character from the story you’re reading to one from a book you read previously, etc.

· Draw attention to the words – Call your child’s attention to the words in the story. Read the title of the book and point to it. Point out words in bold or color or large type in the text. This will help your child understand that the words on the page have meaning (print awareness) and that oral and written language are connected.

These are just the highlights from the article. For more information, the full article can be found here.

Guest post by Allison C.

Our Littlest Learners

According to neuroscientists, the human brain contains about 86 billion neurons. Most of these are produced during pregnancy, when the brain creates close to 250,000 brain cells every minute! Many others develop during the first year of life, when so much critical growth takes place. It goes without saying that a newborn baby arrives with a pretty impressive toolbox to begin his or her job of learning!

We are wired to care for and nurture our babies, but sometimes it requires more awareness and training to become sensitive to our children’s cues about stimulation and learning. They tend to explore, naturally and voraciously, almost from the time they’re born, seeking out the proper stimulation that will provide them with what they want and need to know. They may be restricted at first to visual exploration, but quickly move on to more tactile and auditory experiences to feed that natural desire to learn all they can about their environment.

When considering how to approach this amazing journey with your baby, just remember that simple things are best. There’s no real need for fancy toys or programs. You are your baby’s favorite plaything! Your voice is the one they long to hear because it reminds them of the familiar sounds they heard in the womb. Reading exposes them to more unusual words than they will encounter through conversation (one-sided as it may be for a while). Singing soothes them and helps to create a safe space in which to soak up the world. Repetition of words, phrases, melodies, and actions is critical to learning; it is essential for imprinting information and strengthening neural connections. Almost anything you do with your baby is fuel for growth. They know they’ve got a job to do, and you are their first, and best, teacher.

Guest post by Bridget W. 

Tips for Reading to Toddlers

Recently a library patron asked me for book suggestions for her very active toddler. She wanted to read with her child to introduce her to books and encourage her love of reading but was having trouble getting through any picture book with her. Reading with toddlers can be challenging. If you have an active toddler, here are some tips for creating a positive reading experience:

· Have realistic expectations. Toddlers have very short attention spans and are easily distracted. You may be able to read to them for only a few minutes, and that’s okay. Just put the book down and try it again later, or try another one later.

· Choose your reading time carefully. Toddlers are busy little people, playing, exploring their world and constantly on the move. Snack time, after bath time, before bed, after a walk or a long playing session are all good times to try a story.

· Choose books that you and your toddler will enjoy. Choose books based on their interests, or let them choose books for themselves at the library or bookstore. Make sure the books are ones you don’t mind reading multiple times, as toddlers may want to read the same favorite book (or even the same few pages) over and over again.

· Bring the stories to life. Use exaggerated, funny voices, gestures and sounds while reading. Act the story out or use puppets to tell the story or even sing it!

· Encourage participation. Your child can help you act out the story, join in on repeated words or phrases, or find objects in the illustrations as you read together.

· Choose books that let your toddler explore/invite action. Pop-up books, books with flaps, touch-and-feel books, and board books all allow toddlers to explore through action - lifting flaps, feeling different textures, or turning pages.

· Read often. Let reading become part of your regular routine, even if it’s only for a few minutes a day, so that reading becomes an expected part of the day and a fun family tradition.

Guest post by Allison C.

Reading with Your Baby

Reading with your child is the most important activity you can do to help your child get ready to read. It’s never too early to start! Reading, talking, and singing to your baby help form the brain connections that build language and literacy skills during the time of most rapid brain development. Reading also strengthens the bond between you and your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caregivers read to babies from birth onward.

Here are some tips for reading with the very young:

· Snuggle up together and read with feeling. Your baby knows and prefers your voice and your face. He may not be able to understand the words or story in a book but will respond to your expression and the emotion in your voice when you read or talk with him. Just hearing your voice and being cuddled up with you will associate two things he loves – your voice and you – with reading. This will make reading a pleasure, not a chore, later when he is in school.

· Choose colorful and sturdy books. Babies learn with their mouths and hands. As they get older they will want to touch the book, hold it, turn the pages, and put it in their mouths. They also like books with simple, colorful, and high-contrast pictures.

· Plan a special reading time. Make this time special – turn off the TV, put your phone down, and give your baby your full attention. Babies and active toddlers may lose interest in a book after only a few minutes. That’s okay! Put the book down and come back to it later, or try another one. Don’t give up. Your baby’s interest and attention span will grow as she does. Just keep reading with your child.

· Read together every day. Establishing a reading routine can be very helpful as babies grow into toddlers, especially reading aloud together as part of a nightly bedtime ritual. Toddlers love to make their own decisions, so let them pick the books you read together. They also love repetition, quickly develop favorite books, and may ask for the same story over and over, so be sure to offer choices that you like too!

· Make time to talk about the stories and illustrations. Toddlers can point to pictures and characters in the stories. Preschoolers can point to letters, count some of the pictures, and answer simple questions about the story. Sometimes they may even “read” a much-beloved and often-read book, turning pages and telling the story as they go along.

Reading aloud with young children is fun and rewarding. It strengthens the bond between parent and child and provides tremendous learning benefits that will last a lifetime.

Guest post by Allison C. 

Books: Bridges Across Generations

Grandparents and other older family members can have a huge impact on young children, and help form memories that will last a lifetime. Reading together is just one way for them to become a presence in their grandchildren’s lives. Telling stories and sharing childhood memories is another.

With the holidays upon us, you may find yourself with somewhat rare opportunities to visit with extended family, especially grandparents and possibly even great-grandparents. If your children are fortunate enough to see these family members regularly, they’re probably already comfortable with reading together and chatting about their lives. If those visits are less frequent, however, there may be a necessary warming-up period before any interaction can take place. As a grandmother myself, I know how hard it can be to wait for our grandson to welcome us into his world, but patience really is a virtue, especially in this situation, and the reward is truly magical.

If you don’t live close by, video chatting is a fun way to engage more directly than a telephone call allows. You can suggest to grandparents that they give the gift of books, or a gift card to a favorite bookstore so children can choose their own reading material. Magazine subscriptions are a wonderful way to connect through a mutual interest in animals, games, or cooking. For older children, Grandma and Grandpa can offer to read the same book they’re reading so it can be discussed together. And revisiting some of their old favorites can offer a whole new appreciation for the writers and their stories, while sharing tried and true classics with a new generation of readers. If you’d benefit from gift suggestions, the library has a list of recommended books to give this season, our librarians’ choices of some of the best we’ve seen and read this year. 

Lastly, as your child grows older, he or she will remember more and more about these interactions with other family members and treasure them in the future. Try writing down your child’s impressions and memories so they can be shared with those involved. Record your child talking about what they did together and send the message to them. The bonds formed now will nurture relationships and expand their knowledge of and respect for each other in the coming years.

Guest post by Bridget W.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read

One of the first questions librarians ask when someone is looking for a book recommendation is “What are you interested in?” Finding materials at the correct reading level that also contain appropriate content is very important, but none of that will be of any use if the person reading, or being read to, isn’t interested in the story or the topic.

The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read, by Curtis Manley and Kate Berube, is a perfect example of how urging someone to read won’t get you very far until you offer something that will capture the heart and the imagination of the pupil. Nick has two cats, Verne and Stevenson. They’re the best of friends, and spend all of their time together. But when Nick decides to teach them to read, the cats aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. Nick makes flash cards, and the fish-shaped one catches Verne’s attention, but Stevenson is still unconvinced. Eventually Verne is reading on his own, and even gets his own library card, but Stevenson continues to do his best impersonation of Grumpy Cat. When Nick discovers a hidden collection of pirate drawings under Stevenson’s bed, Nick and Verne know just what to do. They create a story to go along with the drawings, and, for the first time ever, Stevenson sits and listens. Soon they’re all at the library together, choosing more books, and later acting out the stories they’ve read, all over the house.

We’re often surprised when one child in a family is a voracious reader, and another could hardly seem to care less. Reluctant readers (and listeners) sometimes require a little extra effort on our parts, but trust me, that effort is worth it. While not all children, or adults, for that matter, will always love reading, starting with a book that will truly interest them is paramount to success. We can offer lots of recommendations if you're ever in need of them!

Guest post by Bridget W.

What Are Early Literacy Skills?

Research has shown that there are six early literacy skills that give children a head start in reading readiness. These skills are print motivation, print awareness, narrative skills, vocabulary, letter knowledge, and phonological awareness. Print motivation, which is being interested in and enjoying reading, and is a skill that can be developed from birth. Here are some ideas to encourage that love of books and reading in your child:

Read aloud, early and often! The primary goal of reading aloud to children in the first three years of life is to encourage them to love books. Keep books in the car and diaper bag to be ready to read anytime, anywhere. Keep books in your child’s toy area for your child to explore.

Keep storytime informal. Young children have short attention spans and can sit still for only a few minutes. It’s okay to not finish a book if your child gets fussy or isn’t enjoying it. Reading shouldn’t be forced. You want your child to associate books with happiness, not stress. Reading should be fun for both of you!

Read at your child’s pace. Some kids will zoom through a book and others will want to spend lots of time on each illustration. It’s okay to skip pages or read the same page (or look at the same picture) over and over again. You might even want to take a picture walk through the book, just looking at and talking about the illustrations. You can tell the story or have the child tell the story from the pictures.

Choose age-appropriate books, and let your child help choose when he/she is old enough. Babies like books with large, high-contrast pictures and very simple stories. Babies learn through touch and will enjoy board books and touch-and-feel books like Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt or the That’s Not My… series by Fiona Watt. Toddlers like books about animals, nursery rhymes and other rhyming books, and books with repetitive language. They also like interactive books like lift-the-flap and pop-up books. Preschoolers will enjoy more advanced books with longer stories and a plot. They love silly or funny books like Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie series.

Last but not least, let your child see you reading on a regular basis. Babies and young children are very interested in what their parents are doing and want to imitate them. Seeing you read can motivate your child to want to read too!

Guest post by Allison C. 

What Now?!

Choosing books that are both appropriate and engaging for your children may be difficult, especially with all the choices that are out there! To help the process, here are some questions that you can ask yourself when looking through the library stacks:

-What topics interest my children the most?

Your children will be more likely to not only listen to the story while you’re reading it, but also pick it up on their own if it contains a subject that interests them. You can ask them about what they’d like to read, or just think about what subjects you’ve heard them mention. We have books about almost anything!

-Is this book an appropriate length for my child?

Young children do not have the attention span to sit still and listen to lengthy stories. Books with silly words, rhyming schemes, or repetition will help your child stay engaged in the story and will allow them to “help” tell the story.

-Is this book part of a series?

Many books written for children are part of a series or at least have the same main character. Children will recognize these characters and want to read books that are familiar to them.

-Do you, as an adult, find this book interesting?

If you are excited about a book, your children will pick up on that feeling and be excited with you! Children also like to read the same book over and over, so picking a book that you like will help you sound just as happy to be reading it as you did the first time, even if it’s the 50th!

Guest post by Sarah H. 

Family Book Club

As a parent, you are your children’s biggest role model. Your kids watch what you do, listen to the things you say, and often mimic your behavior (whether you want them to or not…J). When you show them that you love to read, it has a big impact on their own feelings about reading. In addition, when children have positive experiences with books and reading when they are young, it really helps them to develop a lifelong love of reading.

Because of this, I got so excited when I came across an article recently that talked about how you can start a family book club at home. What a perfect way to have fun together as a family while reinforcing that love of reading! If your kids are still really young, don’t worry; the article suggests ways in which you can cater your club to your own family’s needs, even if you have babies and toddlers. Get ideas from the article here, and let me know if you try this. I’d love to hear how it goes!

Me-Time...STAT!

Babies are very cute, but they sure are needy! If you have a newborn at home, there’s a pretty high likelihood that your “me-time” has substantially diminished or even become non-existent. It’s your responsibility to make sure that your baby is fed, bathed, happy, diapered, well rested, stimulated, and kept alive. That doesn’t leave time in the day for much of anything else. This can be rather overwhelming. The thought of taking time to read a book that you want to read, one that’s not full of touch-and-feel objects or cartoon animals, is almost laughable. I, as a librarian, however, know how important it is for all of us to read, you included. Therefore, I have a little secret to share with you, one that I hope will make those long days a little shorter: While it’s true that reading to newborns is critical for the development of strong language skills, it does not matter what you read to your baby. That’s right—newborns can’t understand what you’re saying. Just hearing words and the rhythm of language is really helpful for them. So, when it’s been one of those days, grab today’s newspaper, that novel you were dying to read, or even a gossip magazine. Then, kick back with your little one and enjoy. Trust me; you’re doing yourself and your baby a favor!

Your Little Wordsmith

Since research shows that children have an easier time reading words with which they’re already familiar, enriching their vocabulary is a great way to help your children become successful readers. Here are a few ways to increase your kids’ vocabulary:

-Speak with your children in the language that you know best and are most comfortable speaking. That way you’ll be able to use more complex language and ideas.

-Use facial expressions and gestures to help your children understand the meaning of words.

-Repeat the same words and phrases. Children learn through repetition.

-Use books and stories as a way to introduce different words and ideas. Books are full of new vocabulary words for kids!

-Discuss a word or idea before reading a book. When you do that, hearing the word again during the book helps to reinforce the meaning.

-Explain an unfamiliar word rather than replacing it with a familiar one.

-Pick out a word from a book, rhyme, or song. For an unfamiliar word, explain it. For a familiar word, tell your child a less familiar word.

What to Do with Wigglers

Because young children have short attention spans, trying to read to them can be quite a challenge sometimes. Here are some tips for dealing with even the wiggliest of listeners:

-Read for short periods throughout the day instead of trying to read for an extended amount of time. This is a great way to get in plenty of reading time in spite of a short attention span.

-Don’t force reading. If your child’s not at all interested, try again later. It’s important to make sure that your child’s early experiences with books are positive ones.

-Read expressively or even use silly voices when reading. This can sometimes grab the attention of an otherwise disinterested little one.

-Allow your child to do something else while listening to you read. You might be surprised at how much a child can pay attention to a book while using Play-Doh, coloring, or even playing with toys on the other side of the room.

-Find books on topics that interest your child. Picking out stories or non-fiction books that cater to your child’s particular interests can help keep him/her engaged when it’s reading time.

Hopefully these tips will help you handle those wiggly listeners in your life!

They're Never Too Old!

As kids grow up, it’s natural for the parent-child relationship to change. While your very little ones depend on you for everything (and you know that I do mean EVERYTHING), older children are usually more self-sufficient. “Big kids” get excited to dress themselves, go potty all alone, and even read books on their own. While I certainly don’t want to discourage any of that (yes, please continue potty-training your children J), I do want to encourage you to continue reading aloud to your kids, even after they start to read on their own. The New York Times just published an article about continuing to read aloud to older children. Check it out here.

Here are a few reasons why it's great to keep reading aloud:

-Children are able to listen to books that are at a higher reading level than what they can read on their own. So, reading aloud can help with comprehension, especially if you’re discussing what you’re reading.

-As children get older, parents tend to have fewer chances to snuggle with their kids. This is a great opportunity to do that. You and your child will both benefit from that quality time together.

-Often times, kids skip over words that they don’t know when they’re reading. When you’re reading to your child, though, you’re right there to define those new vocabulary words and model proper pronunciation.

-Reading aloud to kids helps build that love of reading. Just because kids can read independently doesn’t mean that that’s the only way to read. Being read to will likely make them want to read more. For me, some of my fondest memories from my childhood are of my mom reading chapter books, like The BFG and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, to me at night.

Reading Role Models

As a parent, you are your children’s first and likely most influential role model. Your kids are constantly watching you and learning from your behavior (whether you like it or not! J). Though you’re probably very conscious of making sure to properly model good manners and choosing right from wrong, things like modeling good reading habits might not even cross your mind. Parents, however, have a huge influence on your kids’ idea of reading and its importance. When your kids see you reading for enjoyment, they pick up on that. When they realize that you are taking time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes reading, they begin to understand its tremendous value. So, set aside some time each day to read, and let your children see you doing this. You could even make a special reading time for the whole family. Letting your kids know that you value reading will help them to learn to make it a priority, too. And, hey, who couldn’t use an excuse for a little quiet reading time during the day? It’s a win-win for the whole family!

On the Edge of Literacy: Ways to Help Your Emerging Reader

Do you have a little one at home who is at that exciting stage, just on the verge of reading? If so, there are several things that you can do to assist your emerging reader. One thing that’s really helpful is running your finger under the words as you read them. Your child will likely follow along and pick up lots of information that will help the reading process.

After reading a book, or using one that you’ve read often, have your child “read” you the story. This pretend reading or reading from memory helps your child navigate books and is great practice for the real thing.

Finally, having conversations about the books you read is always helpful. You can talk about the story, re-read favorite parts, and discuss new vocabulary words that were introduced in the book.

If you want to find some great books for beginning readers, we have a whole section at the library that’s full of emergent readers. Stop by, and we’ll be happy to show you where you can find them!

Just 15 Minutes!

I just heard about this new movement, Read Aloud, that’s trying to get parents to read to their children for 15 minutes each day. This organization is trying to improve the future of education by encouraging reading. As a children’s librarian whose focus is on early literacy, I absolutely love hearing about efforts like these, aiming to show the importance of reading. According to Read Aloud’s website, “Research shows that reading aloud is the single most important thing that you can do to help a child prepare for reading and learning.” One of my favorite things on the website is this graphic, that includes some important facts and statistics about the benefits of reading. Even though 15 minutes each day doesn’t sound like much, it adds up to be a life-changing number. Do you read to your children for 15 minutes (or more!) each day? If not, when could you make time for it? Setting up a routine can make sticking to reading a lot easier. Try to set aside time before bed, after dinner, before or after naptime, or any other time that works with your family’s schedule. Your children will look forward to it, and you will be helping to positively shape their future!

Just Read!

I just recently came back across an article that I’d read last year and thought that it had some information worth sharing. It’s no surprise that books help children learn language, and it would seem logical that being read complex books would be more beneficial than hearing simpler ones. This, however, is not necessarily the case, according to a British study that monitored mothers who read both simple and complicated books to their two-year-olds. The study concluded that it really doesn’t matter what you read to your children, as long as they’re interested in it and you talk about it: “Reading a picture book with one or two words per page is just as beneficial for a pre-school child as one with long sentences. The key to success is as much talking about what happens in the book as reading any text.” Since books with simpler text tend to spark more complex parent-child conversations, they are just as helpful as more complicated books, which tend to inspire far less dialogue between parents and children. So, next time your little ones insist on picking out a book that you think looks a little too easy, go ahead and allow it. Just talking about what you’re reading can make any book a worthwhile choice!

You're Not Alone: Reading Frustration Affects the Best of Us!

At the library, I hear lots of parents of little ones lamenting about the fact that their kids will not sit still for stories—not even just one. Though this must be frustrating for parents who are eager to pass along a love of books to their kids, it does not mean that their kids are wild, disinterested, destined to be reading failures, or any of the million other conclusions that discouraged parents might consider. The truth is that kids, especially babies and toddlers, have really short attention spans. That’s just how they’re wired. It’s completely normal for them to want to be up and dancing around, rather than nestled sweetly into our laps for a story.

If you’ve ever joined us for one of our Baby or Toddler Storytimes, you’re a firsthand witness to the fact that these little humans are not able to sit for a long period of time. That’s why we do all of the songs, fingerplays, and dancing that we do; it’s a necessity! We also understand that when we’re reading, kids are going to be walking/crawling around and not seeming to be paying a bit of attention to us. And that’s perfectly acceptable!

If you happen to have one of those normal kids who doesn’t want to sit still for a book, read one anyway. You’ll be surprised at how much your children will get from the book, even when they’re playing across the room and appear to be completely tuning you out. Another great way to develop an affinity for books is to just keep them everywhere—in the toy box, on the bookshelf (The best is one that’s accessible to little hands and where you keep some books face-out, so kids are drawn to the pictures on the covers.), in the diaper bag, in their car seat, etc.

Finally, don’t worry! I know it’s easier said than done, but if you’re exposing your children to books often, you’re doing them a world of good. You may not be seeing the fruits of your labor now, but you will…eventually. J

Dialogic Reading: How to Make Book-Sharing Even More Effective

Reading to your children is the absolute best way to prepare your little ones for later reading success. Research has shown, however, that the way in which you read to your children is just as important as the frequency with which you read to them.

Dialogic reading is a proven-effective method of reading in which adults prompt children with questions and engage them in discussions while reading to them. It encourages parents to go beyond just reading the words on the page. By asking questions, expanding on children’s responses, encouraging them to retell stories, and restating the names, objects, and events in the book, dialogic reading helps young children build and reinforce the basic language and literacy skills that will make them successful readers down the road.

For more information on dialogic reading and a step-by-step guide on how you can try it with your children, check out this article by Grover J. Whitehurst, whose research is the basis for dialogic reading.