Tag Archives: early literacy

Podcast

Reading With Libraries Episode 410: Kid’s Books, From Kids!

We had some extra-adorable guest hosts join us this week!

Hello! Thank you for joining us on Reading With Libraries! We’re so glad you could be here to enjoy our book group podcast.

You can get our show notes here! Check it out for links to all kinds of useful resources, and links to the beverages we enjoyed today.

We are the Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange, and we support libraries of all types: schools, publics, academics, and special libraries and archives.

Letting kids choose their own reading materials can be an important way to increase literacy and encourage a love of reading! This week our Guest Hosts are Charlotte, Liam, and Theo, along with their mom Molly. They range in age from about two years old to about eight years old, and they all have very enthusiastic opinions about the books they like to read and the ones they brought to share with us!

Become a full book group member on Patreon! Click here to be part of the “inner circle” of this book group, and get access to behind-the-scenes info and photos. Support levels start at $1/month – and you get a postcard from Official Office Dog Lady Grey! More swag is available at higher levels of support; check it all out today.

We love doing this, but podcasts aren’t free to create; so thank you so much to our book group members who have joined us. We love having you as part of the team.

Advocacy, Books, Children's services

Virtual book drive in Valley aims to bolster literacy among children

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(From KTAR news, Phoenix, AZ)

The local “Grow A Reader” program is aiming to put more books in the hands of children, who could benefit significantly from getting ahead on literacy at a young age.

In an effort to ensure that kids are successful when they enter school, Southwest Human Development has paired with businesses around the Valley with the “Grow A Reader” program, where patrons can “pick a flower” and go online to buy a book for a child.

Southwest Human Development, an Arizona non-profit dedicated to early childhood development, said the average child has 13 books at home, but low-income neighborhoods see just one book for every 300 children.

“Unfortunately, lots of kids arrive in kindergarten unprepared and without the early literacy skills they need to be successful,” chief development officer Jake Adams said in a statement. “They tend to be the same kids that start behind and stay behind. We’re trying to change that.”

Businesses where you can get a flower include places like CVS Pharmacy, Jason’s Deli, Jobot Coffee & Diner, Spinato’s Pizzeria and more. Click here for a full list of participating businesses.

Books, Children's services, Programs, Public, School Media Specialist

New study says toy “sleepovers” can help kids’ literacy

Getting young kids involved in activities that involve reading is important to encourage their literacy skills. And when the kids can bring their favorite stuffed animals along, everyone can participate in the fun!

You may remember a few months ago CMLE’s office mascot Orville got to take part in a great Stuffed Animal Sleepover program offered by the St. Cloud Public library.

These events are becoming increasingly popular all across the world, and thanks to a new study, can even promote early literacy skills. This article from School Library Journal explains just how useful these events can be to get young kids interested in reading!
Continue reading New study says toy “sleepovers” can help kids’ literacy →

Children's services, Resources

Early Literacy Board Games

Draughts
Games are fun!

More games in the library mean more fun we are having!! This is always a good thing!

Finding games for young patrons can be a challenge; so we have complied a list of suggested games for our younger patrons. Do you have other ideas? Leave them in the comments below!

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Peaceable Kingdom Dinosaur Escape Award Winning Cooperative Game for Kids

  •  Friends and Neighbors: The Helping Game

 

 

 

  • Shake And Take – The Fast And Frantic Search For Aliens

 

 

 

  • The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

  • Hoot Owl Hoot! Cooperative Board Game

 

 

  • Outfoxed
Books, General, School Media Specialist

Book Pirates help early literacy

Don’t mess with the Book Pirates! The name sounds tough, but this organization has a great goal in mind, and works to promote literacy with kids.

This article from the LITA Blog introduces the “Book Pirates,” or as they are called in their native Germany, “Buecherpiraten.” The goal of the Pirates is to “use the combined powers of digital publishing and self publishing to empower children and young people ages 3 to 19 to tell their own story, in their own mother tongue.”

Kids (of all ages!) can make their own picture book with artwork and stories which gets published on the Book Pirates website. Then, the book is available for free download in first and second language of choice, and can be created into several different formats (tablet, regular book, etc).

It makes sense that this program has been very successful with refugee children. It provides a place to tell their story, which can then be read in their native language, as well as in their new language.

You can make your own picture book, become a translator, or just get more information by visiting their website.