Getting Ready to Read

Skills Building

"Early literacy" refers to what a child needs to know about reading and writing before they start to read and write. Early literacy is not the teaching of reading. It is preparing a child for reading by presenting activities that build pre-reading skills and providing an atmosphere that supports the enjoyment of books and reading.

Weekly storytimes for children ages five and under are specifically designed to encourage language building and early literacy skills that will begin to prepare young children for school. These programs also expose parents and caregivers to a variety of books and materials appropriate for their child.

There are six skills that are associated with reading success, and the Youth Services staff incorporates these skills into the weekly story programs that are offered in our branches.

Vocabulary: Knowing many words helps children recognize written words and understand what they read.
Library storytimes expose children and their parents to a wide variety of stories that may not be available at home. The length of the stories selected are designed to match your child's developmental stage while stretching their skills.

Print Motivation: Children who enjoy books will want to learn how to read.
Library storytimes offer a fun, safe, and language-rich environment that help to get children excited about books and reading.

Print Awareness: Being familiar with printed language helps children feel comfortable with books and understand that print is useful.
Library storytimes give staff an opportunity to model how books should be handled and that the written text communicates a story.

Narrative Skills: Being able to tell or retell a story helps children understand what they read.
Storytimes are filled with examples of different ways of telling stories, whether it be reading a book, incorporating music, or using puppets or flannel boards.

Phonological Awareness: Being able to hear the sounds that make up the words helps children sound out words as they begin to read.
Library storytimes incorporate nursery rhymes, songs, and repetition that allow children to playfully explore the language and its sound.

Letter Knowledge: Knowing the names and sounds of letters helps children to sound out words.
Young children become familiar with the concept that letters in the alphabet are combined to form the words they see in a book and hear during the library story program.

Storytimes are an active way for children to participate in what the public library has to offer, helping them develop a habit of reading and lifelong learning.

Check your local branch listings for their weekly storytime schedule and let us help you prepare your child to be school ready!

Fingerplays and Songs

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baa, baa black sheep
Have you any wool
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full.

One for my master
And one for my dame
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the waterspout.

Down came the rain
And washed the spider out.

Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain.

So the itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the spout again.

Pat-A-Cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man.
Bake me a cake as fast just as you can.
Roll it and pat it and mark it with B,
And put it in the oven for baby and me!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!

Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go round and round;
round and round;
round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
all through the town!

The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep;
beep, beep beep;
beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep;
all through the town!

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish;
swish, swish, swish;
swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
all through the town!

The people on the bus go up and down;
up and down;
up and down.
The people on the bus go up and down,
all through the town!

The babies on the bus go waa, waa, waa;
waa, waa, waa;
waa, waa, waa.
The babies on the bus go waa, waa, waa,
all through the town!

The parents on the bus go shh, shh, shh;
shh, shh, shh;
shh, shh, shh.
The parents on the bus go shh, shh, shh,
all through the town!

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