Jenny Ransone and Karen Costello

M ARION C OUNTY

Why should a library spend precious time and money on early literacy programs?

R EAD, S ING, T ALK Read with your child. Reading books introduces children to words and concepts that help the brain get ready for talking and reading. Talk with your child. Talking helps children make sense of the world. Talk all the time about everything! Sing with your child. Singing introduces children to rhythm and rhyme and creates paths in the brain for math skills.

M AIN A CTIVITIES Reach out to parents Provide an inviting environment Activity kits to encourage interaction

Reach Out to Parents Go where the parents are!

Make & Take Workshops

Felt Name Banners Felt Hand Puppets

Peek-a-Boo Farm Animal Book Nursery Rhyme Stacking Blocks

Clothespin Drop Curler Sorter Flannel Board Sets

Canvas Bags and Foam Activities

W HAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS These toys are made with love. These toys are special because we are investing our time in our children. My children value these toys more than the ones I buy because I made them. The book we made is my son’s favorite. He takes it everywhere we go. My children know when I am going to “make & take” and they can’t wait to see what I made for them that day.

Maternity Waiting Room Program

Nursery Rhyme Activity Sticks Nursery Rhyme Flip Books (English and Spanish) Ribbon Toys on Shower Curtain Rings

Language Development Workshop

Foam Shapes

Ready to Read Expo

RTR EXPO Give-a-way book table

RTR EXPO – activity kits on display for parents and children to explore

Provide an inviting environment.

Magnetic Boards Non-breakable Mirror

Early Literacy Computers Tracking Boards

Bead Mazes and Activity Cubes

Hand Puppets

Story Boards

Activity Display Mother Goose Activity Panel

Activity Kits

“Another idea... is creeping into the policy debate: that the key to early learning is talking—specifically, a child’s exposure to language spoken by parents and caretakers from birth to age 3, the more the better.” “Talking to baby has become part of middle- class culture; it seems like instinct, but it’s not.” The Power of Talking to Your Baby by Tina Rosenberg

Shake, Rattle and Roll – Ages 7-12 months

Suggested Activity: Put the three rattles in front of your baby. Point out each red car, and each car with a face. Count the cars on each rattle. Showing your baby how things are alike and different will help them learn to sort information.

A Puppy for Me – Age 1 year

Ask your child to point to specific features of the dog’s face on the front of Where’s the Bone? Asking questions helps develop listening skills. Suggested Activity:

Flitter Flutter All Around – Age 2 years

Suggested Activity: Take the round pieces of the caterpillar puzzle and sort them by color and pattern. Talk with your child about the shapes of the pegs and then assemble the puzzle. Learning to identify simple shapes will help your child learn to identify letter shapes.

Mother Goose – Age 3 years

Read the rhymes in the Mother Goose board book and talk about the pictures. Rhyming activities help your child build skills for hearing and saying letter sounds. Suggested Activity:

What do you need to know or be able to do in order to create Ready to Read activity kits?

How can you pay for this? Grants Sponsors Friends Groups Donations

NEFLIN Workshop DIY - Ready to Read: Zero to Three Thursday, August 29, a.m.– 4 p.m. Marion County Public Library System Headquarters-Ocala 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34472

Questions?