Preschoolers

As children grow they become more familiar and comfortable with how books work. During the preschool years, parents can build on what their child know about books through interactive reading experiences. Talk to your children about is happening in a book and ask them about what they see in the pictures. The more involved children are in the reading experience, the better they will remember the story later on. Most importantly, keep reading to your children.  A preschooler’s comprehension ability is far greater than their reading level. Even when children begin to read themselves, it is still important for parents to read to them.

Love Books (Print Motivation): Don’t worry if your child chooses the same book over and over. Repetition helps them learn all sorts of things, including that a favorite book can be a source of comfort and security.

Use Books (Print Awareness): Sometimes you come across a book that has a word or phrase repeated throughout. Run your finger under those words and ask your child to say them with you. They may even get to the point where they can pick out that word or phrase on the page and say it out loud.

See Letters (Letter Knowledge): Name letters and their sounds based on things you are doing throughout the day. Talk about letters on signs, like street signs, or on labels of familiar products at home or in the grocery store.

Tell a Story (Narrative Skills): When children use their whole bodies to act out stories, they internalize the story and can better understand what happened.  They’ll be able to tell the story back to you, especially their favorites.

Make Sounds (Phonological Awareness): Rhyming helps your child hear parts of words. You can play games like “I Spy.” For example, “I spy something that rhymes with bat.” You can play these games with any book or picture, or even as you are walking or driving around.

New Words (Vocabulary): When you read with your child, don’t JUST read the printed words. Talk about the pictures. Describe what is going on. Leave time for your child to say something back.

For more information visit  Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library

Storytime!

Preschool Storytime: Ages 3 to 5

An interactive experience especially designed for children ages 3-5 and their parents or caregivers.  Storytime sessions are drop in and encourage early literacy development through stories, songs, games and movement.

Central, Wednesday, 10 a.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.

East Lake, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Franklin, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Hosmer, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Linden Hills, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Friday 10:30 a.m.

Nokomis, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

North Regional, Friday, 10:30 a.m.

Northeast, Friday, 10:30 a.m. 

Pierre Bottineau, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Sumner, Friday, 11 a.m. NEW TIME

Walker, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Washburn, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

Webber Park, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Family Storytime

Join our librarians for a storytime session for all ages.  Storytime sessions are drop in and encourage early literacy development through stories, music and bonding time together.

Linden Hills, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Roosevelt, Thursday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 10:30

Southeast, Saturday, 10:30 a.m.

Walker, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Washburn, Thursday 7 p.m.