Early Literacy & Preschool

Early Literacy is everything that children learn about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Reading aloud and bringing books into daily life is the key to encouraging and developing a young child’s ability to read. By reading, talking, singing, playing, and writing with your child – you give them the foundation for literacy and success! Literacy development begins at birth and is closely linked to a baby’s earliest experiences with books and stories. Babies learn language through social literacy experiences – parents interacting with them using books. These experiences also serve to associate books with parental affection, attention, and approval.

Young children need a variety of skills to become successful readers. Reading experts have determined that five specific literacy skills become the building blocks for later reading and writing. Research indicates that children who enter school with more of these skills are better able to benefit from reading instruction they receive. From day one, a child’s brain begins forming connections very quickly—connections which build the foundation for all learning he or she will do later in life. In fact 90% of children’s critical brain development occurs by age 5. Children who are read to, sung to, and talked to from a young age develop bigger vocabularies, become better readers, and are more likely to succeed in school. Research indicates that when children are reached with high quality early learning experiences, they are 40% less likely to fall behind in school and 70% more likely to graduate from high school.

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Storytime
Storytime meets on Thursdays at 10 AM!
September 11 – November 20
Ages 0 – 5
Stories, songs, and crafts focusing on a new theme each week. Wear your costume on October 30 for a Special Halloween Storytime!

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Batman Scavenger Hunt Week
September 15 – September 20
National Batman Day is Saturday, September 20! To celebrate, the library will have a scavenger hunt during that whole week. Come in any time the library is open, pick up a sheet at the desk, complete the hunt, and receive a special Batman prize!

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Mary’s Country Critters
Saturday, October 18 from 10 – Noon
All Ages
Drop in at the library to see cute animals! This petting zoo includes a miniature horse, miniature donkey, chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats, and more. The event will take place outside, but will be protected from the weather. This will be fun for the whole family!

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Santa Storytime & Party
Wednesday, December 3 @ 10 AM
This event is for children ages 0-5.
Santa is coming to the library to see our young friends!
Children will hear a couple of holiday stories, make a craft, see Santa, and receive a special gift from the library. Plus, a party would not be complete without a fun holiday snack. It’s going to be a festive and fun event!

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1000 Books Before Kindgergarten

The Otsego District Library is excited to offer 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to local preschool aged children along with ten other Allegan County Libraries! The Allegan County Library Association has partnered with the Allegan County United Way and Volunteer Center, who has given a $7000 grant to fund supplies for the children of Allegan County for five years! Sign up at the library for our easy, fun, FREE, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers! Any child that has not started kindergarten is eligible to participate. Anyone in Allegan County can sign up at their home library for this program. Click HERE to register your child today!