Early Literacy

WHAT IS EARLY LITERACY?

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.

(Resources cited from Get Ready to Read and Reading Rockets)

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

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!

Rise & Shine Early Literacy Center

The library strives to enrich young minds by encouraging early literacy. In doing this we have created an amazing and FREE literacy center with changing themes. The facility is available for access any time during library hours; direct parental supervision is required. The outdoor play area is available Memorial Day through Labor Day during library hours. Stop by the library to learn and play with your preschool aged child today.

MeL eResources for Readers and Pre-Readers

Are you looking for help with school work or finding a new book to read? Find it HERE! The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) has fast, reliable online resources for homework and classroom activities.

CLICK HERE to Learn
CLICK HERE to Play
CLICK HERE to Read

ABC Mouse

Did you know that you can use ABC Mouse at the library for FREE! If your child is using one of the library computers or your own device on the library’s Wi-Fi then you can use ABC Mouse for FREE when you visit.

Click HERE to get started today!

Fun & Free Educational Websites for Children

Still looking for fun games and activities that are age appropriate for your child? Your children can learn something new today in a safe online environment. Follow THIS LINK to find twenty free educational websites for kids are fun while offering online teaching games, printables, videos, and so much more.