When I was a preschool teacher, I started every day by reading a book. Sometimes the book related to a theme topic, sometimes it addressed a social-emotional concern, and sometimes it was just for fun! I happen to love concept books, especially those that encourage interaction. This May, FunShine® offered Will You Help Doug Find His Dog? by Jane Caston in our preschool kit. A couple years ago, we were fortunate to offer Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson in our infant/toddler kit. Such books bring me joy because I know how much children love them. Interactive books such as these help children build so many literacy skills, but most importantly, they hold children’s attention, create suspense, and provoke wonder. Continue reading
story time
Charlie’s Cues: Using Your Word Wall
The words children are exposed to regularly become a part of their everyday vocabulary. Creating a space where children can refer to, observe, listen to, and repeat familiar, new, or theme-related words is the basis of good auditory, linguistic, and communication development. One way to do this is to create a word wall in your preschool classroom.
The Fireflies curriculum helps you build your own word wall by offering four Word Wall Words in each monthly kit. July’s first theme, America the Beautiful, includes the words America and map. Both cards offer children an early exposure to geography, social studies, and patriotism. Children will learn the words fish and hook in Fishing Fun, July’s second theme. Fishing Fun is a summer-inspired theme, during which children will learn about fish, caring for fish as pets, other sea animals, and the sport of fishing.
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Little Bookworms: Encouraging Young Readers
A baby mouthing a book.
Small tears in the pages of a paperback.
A caregiver reading to a child in a rocking chair before nap.
Each snippet described here tells us something about early literacy. Babies first explore texts with their senses, young children learn book handling and how to turn pages through practice, and caregivers read to children at various times of day to promote attention, rest, interest, and imagination. Each snippet also exemplifies one of the many ways children become earnest readers. Continue reading
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10 Great Ways to Enjoy the Library
by Judy Mullican
Have you visited your local library lately? Modern libraries are bright, cheerful places that offer an amazing array of services and activities. Here are ten great ways to enjoy your library:
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