Early Learning

1000 books before kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationally recognized reading program that promotes reading to newborns, infants and toddlers. This shared reading time encourages parent and child bonding and is beneficial for all. The Youth Services Department staff are all BIG supporters of shared reading time and offer you the opportunity to participate in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten with us! 

You can register your infant or toddler at Beanstack, track your books, and collect your own books to add to your home library. Families can participate in this while also participating in our winter and summer reading programs.

Track EVERY book you read, EVERY time you read it!

 

 

Resources for Kids & Their Grownups - Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence in the United States. 

"When we teach kids about consent and boundaries in developmentally appropriate and naturalistic ways, we create the foundation for deeper conversations later on. When we talk with our kids about consent and boundaries in a relaxed, curious, and joyful way, we arm them with awareness about themselves and others." Christine Babinec, MA, LCC, NPC, and author of Want a Hug? Consent and Boundaries for Kids.

Please review our book lists to find items for you and your child: 

Consent and Boundaries for Littles
Consent and Boundaries for Kids
 

 

 

Photo of kids and parents writing together

Writing

Children can learn pre-reading skills through writing. Both reading and writing represent spoken language and communicate information. 

  • Writing begins with scribbles and marks. Give your children many opportunities to draw and write. Keep crayons, markers or magnetic letters within reach.
  • Encourage babies to grip toys, which helps build their hand muscles so they can write later on.
  • Talk to your children about what they draw, and write captions or stories together. 
photo of mother reading with babies

Reading

Reading together helps children learn how books work. Shared reading also helps children develop an interest in reading and want to learn to read themselves.

  • Point to words and letters. Name the letters and make their sounds.
  • Read to your children in the language that is most comfortable for you so you can talk about the book more.
  • Make reading together an enjoyable activity, and your child will want to repeat it again and again.
photo of maother and baby talking to each other

Talking & Singing

As children hear spoken language, they learn new words and what they mean. This will help children understand the meaning of what they read.

  • Make sure your children have a lot of opportunities to talk with you, not just listen to you talk.
  • Respond to what your children say and extend the conversation. 
  • If English isn’t your first language, speak to your children in the language you know best. This allows you to explain things more so your children will learn more.

SINGING

Singing slows down language so children can hear the different sounds in words. This helps when children begin to read printed language. 

  • Sing the alphabet song to learn about letters. 
  • Clap along to the rhythm in songs so children hear the syllables in words.
  • When you sing, babies are drawn to the sound of your voice and to the playful sounds of words and rhymes.