Due to new research in child
development libraries have been putting even greater emphasis on creating
exciting programs for children that focus on early literacy. In examining the
programming available for children it is clear that librarians are finding countless
ways to engage children and parents.
In order to better understand what
program options are currently being provided to families I looked at the
websites of various libraries as well as current literature on the topic. One pattern
I noticed was that most all libraries I found had at the very least a preschool,
family, or toddler storytime to encourage early literacy skills. But many also
included parent centered workshops and a baby storytime to encourage early
introductions to books. The New York Public Library (2016) Wee Little Ones
Storytime uses “board and picture books, rhymes, bounces, and tickles,” to
promote the key early literacy skills such as talking, playing, reading, and
singing (New York Public Library, 2016, Early Literacy section, para. 1). These
programs give families a place to learn about early literacy either through a
librarian modeling a dialogic reading of a book, by interacting with other
parents and caregivers, or finding new child development information at a
parent workshop.
Many children’s programs I found
emphasized the use of dance and song such as Toronto Public Library’s Music and
Movement for Kids that is developed for children ages 2 to 6 and the Marina
Public Library’s Sing N Jam with Hillary and Sam (Toronto Public Library, 2016;
Friends of the Marina Public Library, 2016). Movement and music can create a
lively audience in a storytime and both appear to be essential for the Public
Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Children’s librarian Hayley Elece
McEwing (2011) has created the Gotta Move! program which emphasizes the six
early literacy skills described in Every Child Ready to Read and encourages
participation through song, dance, and rhyme. Each program begins with a
Letter-cise in which children name objects from a basket along with the letter
with which they begin followed by an action rhyme that emphasizes movement and
letters (McEwing, 2011). Other activities include play acting through a
movement story, interactive flannel boards, and a parachute circle time
(McEwing, 2011). By creating such an engaging program for families the Public
Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County has shared early literacy skills with
children in the area in an exciting and fun manner.
Of course children’s programs don’t
have to remain fixed in the library building. Plenty of librarians have begun
moving beyond their walls in order to serve their community. One very
innovative early literacy program I found during my research was being
conducted by the New York Public Library at the Rikers Island Prison.
Librarians organized an outreach program with fathers currently serving time at
the prison (Higgins, 2013). The program consisted of weekly workshops where fathers
discussed parenting and learned effective ways to teach early literacy skills
to their children (Higgins, 2013). At the final workshops prisoners were
allowed to record themselves reading aloud a book of their choice to their child
(Higgins, 2013). CD copies of the recording and a copy of the book are then given
to the child to allow them to hear their father reading the book aloud to them
(Higgins, 2013). While this program does not work directly with children it is
an excellent way to promote early literacy in the home. Incarcerated parents
are able to learn how to promote early literacy skills once they are released
and the recorded book encourages parent child connection as well as creates a
positive association with the book. This program is an excellent way to
continue to foster early literacy skills in children in the community.
In examining the children’s programs
available in libraries I found many common similarities as well as innovative
new ideas. Most libraries have begun to emphasize the importance of early
literacy by creating programs for children of all ages from the youngest infant
to elementary age children. Storytimes continue to be a staple of the library
community but many librarians have moved beyond the basic formula to include
time for children to talk, sing, read, write, and play. Further, libraries have
found ways to promote early literacy beyond the walls of the library through
outreach efforts with parents. While children’s programming will always be a
part of the library structure it is clear that libraries are finding new and
exciting ways to promote early literacy in their community.
References
Friends of the Marina Public Library.
(2016). The Friends of the Marina Library gigantic annual book sale in Marina. Retrieved
from http://eventful.com/marina/events/friends-marina-library-gigant-/E0-001-096326665-8@2016091700
Higgins, N. (2013). Family literacy
on the inside. Public Libraries, 52(1),
30-35. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1a5be10e-933b-4b73-808f-d77dcc2c9c29%40sessionmgr4010&vid=0&hid=4104
Lundy, S. (2016) untitled picture of library
parachute game [Online image] Retrieved November 14, 2016 from http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160226/news/160228911/
New York Public Library. (2016). Events. Retrieved from https://www.nypl.org/events/calendar?keyword=&location=&type=4327&topic=&audience=4337
McEwing, H. E. (2011). Music,
movement, and early literacy: A best practices primer for “Gotta Move!”. Children & Libraries: The Journal Of The
Association For Library Service To Children, 9(2), 29-35. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/viewarticle/render?data=dGJyMPPp44rp2%2fdV0%2bnjisfk5Ie46bVLtqauS7Gk63nn5Kx95uXxjL6nr0evq61Krqe0OK%2bwsEy4qrM4v8OkjPDX7Ivf2fKB7eTnfLujtkq1qLZNt6mxPurX7H%2b72%2bw%2b4ti7hOrcpIzf3btZzJzfhrurrkuup7VKs62kfu3o63nys%2b585LzzhOrK45Dy&vid=2&sid=5fdd88d8-4c65-4b68-b58f-81bfe98f7236@sessionmgr4008&hid=4104
Toronto Public Library. (2016). Music and movement for kids. Retrieved
from http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT17978&R=EVT17978
[Untitled picture of father reading
to children]. Retrieved November 14, 2016 from http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/iStock_000018296321small.jpg
[Untitled picture of toddler
storytime]. Retrieved November 14, 2016 from http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/core/fileparse.php/3334/urlt/storytimes-20babies-20and-20moms.jpg
