Beginning Readers
Learning to read can be an exciting and sometimes challenging time for both children and their caregivers. In an earlier blog post, I discussed early literacy habits to help infants and preschoolers develop a love of reading. This month, I’d like to share resources that we have here at Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library to help children and their families start their literacy journey in a beneficial and positive way.
If your child is preschool-age, one of our favorite ways to build literacy skills is storytime at the library. Our library has Family Storytime on Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and Tiny Tales for 0-24 months on Thursday and Friday at 10 a.m. This is a fun way for your child to be introduced to books and learning through stories, songs, games, and crafts. Through storytime children are exposed to the proper ways to treat books, start to associate printed letters and spoken language, and learn how to read from left to right on a page.
For families with children in preschool through third grade, we now offer Family Literacy Night once a month. We have storytime with a fun activity followed by dinner for the whole family. Each month brings a new theme and more fun. Family Literacy Night takes place in the Round Room on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and is free for families. The theme for Tuesday, February 6th is Pancakes. We will read stories related to our favorite breakfast foods, and each family will make their own pancakes together.
Our library has plenty of materials to help parents and caregivers guide their children who are learning to read. Our Easy Nonfiction section provides books focused on each letter of the alphabet, their sounds, and words that begin with that letter. For children who have mastered the alphabet, we have books featuring letter blends, such as bl, cr, st, etc.
The Easy Reader section has sight word books to help children see those sight words that they have been practicing in simple sentences and helps them become comfortable with reading words on a page, as well using context clues to help them guess unfamiliar words. Easy Readers are the next option for those who are advancing on their reading journey. These are leveled books which help them practice new skills comfortably and challenge them to continue growing their reading skills. Each publisher has their own level system, and our staff are glad to help you find the right books for your child.
From there we have our Early Chapter Books that are found in our Juvenile Fiction section and highlighted with green stickers on their spines. These are good books for children ready to dip their toes into the chapter book format. Last, but not least, the Children’s department has a Parent/Teacher section to help parents with any challenges that they may face when their child is learning to read and workbooks that help children practice their literacy skills.
Families with children learning to read have so many resources to take advantage of at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. Come by, and let us help you on your journey!