Cultivating readers

Have you ever heard a teacher or someone on TV refer to "early literacy"? They are referring to the skills children learn about reading and writing before they even begin to read and write. We have great resources and information to help your child develop the skills they need to learn to read before they get to Kindergarten.

1KB4K: Reading to a Thousand!

Come to the second floor today and pick up your log to start your child's goal of reading a thousand books before Kindergarten. As you and your child get through all of those books, you will get a sticker for every 100 books you complete.  When the child gets to 1000 books read, so 20 stickers are filled out, they get a special prize!

Articles and Information

If you are interested in why we do what we do, the science behind early literacy skills, or tips for helping your child, check out these articles:

• "Everyday Steps to Reading and Writing"
• "Fall in Love wtih Reading:  Ten Simple Things you Can Do at Home"
• "Vivacious Vocabulary: How 1,000 books before kindergarten turn little ones into strong readers"

Babies Need Words Every Day:  Talk, Read, Sing, Play

Babies Need Words Every Day is another early literacy intiative created by the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) focusing on the library's youngest patrons.  This program encourages parents to talk, sing, and play with their babies in order to expose them to new words.  Check out this brochure for some great books to share with your baby!

Early Literacy Calendars

Early Literacy Calendars are back again this year! Does Early Literacy seem daunting? This calendar makes it easy. There's a different prompt each day of something for you to do with your child. Rhymes and book suggestions are on the back too. Make sure to download a new calendar each month! Print copies are also available to pickup at the library.

• January Early Literacy Calendar--English
• January Early Literacy Calendar--Spanish

• February Early Literacy Calendar--English
• February Early Litearcy Calendar--Spanish

• March Early Literacy Calendar--English
• March Early Literacy Calendar--Spanish

Every Child Ready to Read

Every Child Ready to Read is a program developed by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA). It was created to teach parents and caregivers how to support early literacy development in their child. You can find more information on their website and by attending one of our parent programs, Every Child Ready to Read at Your Library!

Keep looking on this page and the Des Plaines Public Library calendar to see the dates and times for upcoming parent workshops. 

Playpen Early Literacy Area

You may have noticed some changes to the second floor.  We have reconfigured our space to create new areas where kids can play and explore!

• iPads loaded with preschool centric apps that encourage early literacy and play
  • Worried about screen time?  See what the experts say:
    • "Play and Technology:  An Important Intersection for Developing Literacy"
    • Statement from NAEYC and Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at Saint Vincent College
• Playpen where babies can crawl around safely and explore interactive panels by the Burgeon Group. 
• Light table where kids can explore concepts of colors and 3D structures
• LEGO table where kids can build
• Imaginative play area where kids can play with blocks, gears, puzzles, and more

All these spaces are meant to encourage play between parent and child, and reinforce early literacy practices that are essential in helping kids grow into great readers. 

Be sure to stop by and check it out!