0-5 (preschool) | Page 5 | Libraries Matter

Library Facilitate Parent-Child Bonds

For this family, the library facilitated parent-child bonds. The mother also saw it as a safe place for developing a love for books. She was acting as the one with knowledge who was supporting her child’s literacy growth.

Reference:

Libraries, churches, and schools: The literate lives of mothers and children in a homeless shelter

Library Attendance Shows Expectations for Children as Readers

Library attendance served as a springboard for parents to communicate messages about the expectations that they had for their children as readers.

Reference:

Libraries, churches, and schools: The literate lives of mothers and children in a homeless shelter

Libraries Provide Place for Parents to Actively Participate in their Children's Literacy Development

The free-flowing nature of the library also allowed for parents to actively participate in their children’s reading. Noting the lack of literacy programs available for children at the shelter and in the community, one mother talked about the public library as being the place she could take her children to support their literacy development.

Reference:

Libraries, churches, and schools: The literate lives of mothers and children in a homeless shelter

preschool storybook reading developes a wide range of language and literacy abilities in young children

Libraries are well acquainted with the fact that preschool storybook reading experience is positively correlated with the development of a wide range of language and literacy abilities in young children. Furthermore, it is very common for libraries to provide in-house storybook reading programs at the library or to run outreach programs aimed at families…; child care professionals or preschool teachers…; or others in the community. Outreach projects typically seek to reach children directly through read-aloud programs or to educate parents, preschool teachers, or child care professionals in what and how to read to preschoolers.

Reference:

Achieving school readiness: Public libraries and national education goal no. 1

Librarians who serve preschoolers in child care promote secure emotional growth

Informational and collaborative networks of librarians and other professionals who serve preschoolers in child care can promote secure emotional growth so that a child grows up deeply confident that he or she is lovable and loved. This emotional foundation supports positive attitude towards learning and presages with high probability that, with the help of adult mentors, each child will become the kind of learner and reader who will succeed in school…

Reference:

Achieving school readiness: Public libraries and national education goal no. 1

Parents watch a skilled librarian model reading to enthralled little ones

As parents watch a skilled librarian model reading to enthralled little ones, they learn how to modulate voice tones and add variety to the way words are used in order to attract children to a love of story time and books.

Reference:

Achieving school readiness: Public libraries and national education goal no. 1

Librarian’s expertise in selecting and using materials is unique

The librarian’s expertise in selecting and using materials is unique. The librarian is not an early childhood educator, but—by training and experience—the librarian is equipped to nurture the young child’s curiosity through his interest in stories and books. Moreover, the goals of the profession give librarians a vested interest in the child’s development of language and reading skills.

Reference:

Books, Babies, and Libraries : serving infants, toddlers, their parents & caregivers

Two conditions found essential for creating a reader

Two conditions found essential for creating a reader are (1) an early environment that offers literary experience, that is, a print-filled environment (books, magazines, newspapers, etc.), and adults reading these materials, and (2) a caring adult to introduce the child to literary pleasure. The public library meets both requirements

Reference:

Books, Babies, and Libraries : serving infants, toddlers, their parents & caregivers

Librarians Can Help Parents and Caregivers

Librarians can help parents and caregivers by making available quality books on parenting and appropriate children’s literature, such as lullaby and song books, Mother Goose rhymes, and books showing objects, patterns, and other stimuli. Librarians can also encourage parents and caregivers to talk, sing, and read to their infants.

Reference:

Books, Babies, and Libraries : serving infants, toddlers, their parents & caregivers

Early Reading Experiences are Prerequisite for Future Literacy Development.

Early reading experiences are prerequisite for future literacy development. Collaborative efforts among librarians, teachers, parents, and day-care providers may facilitate life-long reading in young people.

Reference:

Developing the Emergent Literacy of Preschool Children through a Library Outreach Program