Early Literacy

"Early Literacy" is a bit of a misnomer as it encompasses several essential skills for reaching childhood milestones. As a caregiver, you are one of the first teachers your child will benefit from. Ottawa Library is here to help you and your pre-reader with resources. You are always welcome to join us for storytimes to meet other parents and children, ask for book suggestions, and build literacy skills.

Every Child Ready to Read

Every Child Ready To Read is an initiative of the American Library Association and the Association of Library Service to Children to make building early literacy skills practical for families.

By doing these 5 activities, you help build the pre-reading skills your child will need to become a successful reader:

• Singing slows down language so children can hear the smaller sounds in words.

• Talking in a way that encourages children to talk will help then understand wthat they later read; openeded questions, tell and retell stories, talk about more than just here and now.

• Shared reading (interactive reading) is the single most important activity to help children get ready to read.- Reading and writing both represent spoken language. Begins with fine and gross motor skills.

• Reading and writing both represent spoken language. Begins with fine and gross motor skills.

• Symbolic play (using one object to represent another), dramatic play (acting out and retelling stories), roleplaying help develop language

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Ottawa Library, in cooperation with the 1000 Books Foundation, invites you to participate in this free program which encourages you to read 1,000 books with your children before they start kindergarten.

If you read just one book a night, you will read 365 books in a year. In two years, the number will grow to 730. In the third year, you will surpass the goal at 1,095 books. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at age 5 or 6, you have more time than you think and it’s never too late to start!

Why participate?

Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for both of you, whether you are reading books your family owns, picking them out on a visit to the library, or downloading them onto an e-reader device. Experts agree that children who learn the necessary skills early do better in school and later in life. Participating in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten can help put your child on the right track.

How does the program work?

• Pick out books at home or at the Library and start reading to your pre-kindergarten age child today!

• Keep track of the titles of the books you read or the care-giver or family member might read to your child.

Attending storytime or participating in the Summer Reading Program at the Library also counts towards your total! You may read a book multiple times if it’s a family favorite. The book logs will make a great keepsake item for your child later on. You can track book through our Beanstack Reading Logs.

Six by Six Kits

Six Skills by Six Years Kits contain books and resources for implementing the 6 by 6 Ready-to-Read program which emphasizes early literacy skills. Funding was provided by the Kansas State Library and the kits are designed for pre-school and daycare use with children, ages birth to 6.

From the Kansas State Library website

The Six Skills

• Have Fun with Books

• Notice Print All Around You

• Talk, Talk, Talk

• Look for Letters Everywhere

• Tell Stories About Everything

• Take Time to Rhyme