Early Literacy
Parents are children’s first and best teachers. Help your child enter kindergarten ready to read. Strong reading skills form the basis of learning in all subjects and Lakewood Public Library provides the support you need to help your child to be ready to read. Independent reading programs, Read and Grow: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Summer Reading Club, foster the love of books and reading by providing a bonding opportunity between parent and child. Tools through the Library Website are provided for you and your child to use in the Library or at home such as Tumble Books. Story times at the Library introduce many early literacy learning skills that parents may also practice at home. The Beginner Reader book collection consists of many titles for our youngest almost readers and readers.
Ohio Ready to Read and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten provide tips for parents to help with early literacy development.
Explore the Lakewood Public Library and all of the actions you and your child can take to be ready for school.
Read and Grow Program: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten – A Reading Program for Children Birth to 5 Years Old
Help your child enter kindergarten ready to read. Author, Mem Fox, in her book Reading Magic states “Experts tell us that children need to hear one thousand stories read aloud before they begin to read for themselves.” Three books per day for one year add up to 1,095 books! Sign up your child and read 1,000 books together.
Register for the program by visiting the Lakewood Public Library. Every child from infant to kindergarten is eligible. You will receive a folder, bookmark and first reading log upon registration. Read together and write the titles of the books you read on your reading log. Bring your reading log to the Library every time you read 100 books to get a new reading log, record your progress, stamp your reading log, and build your caterpillar on the cover of your folder. Upon completion of 1,000 books you will be invited to attend a very special story time and craft program and receive a certificate of completion.
Animated, talking picture books teach kids the joy of reading. TumbleBooks add music, narration, games, puzzles, quizzes and movement to classic fiction and nonfiction titles to create a new book experience that children can read or have read to them. Search books by grade level, Lexile level or Accelerated Reader level. Explore the Common Core Portal and even create your own playlist.
Computer Connections: For Children Ages Toddler To 14
Play computer games that are not only fun but educational, too. Practice reading and spelling by playing Bookworm Adventures. Follow directions, develop eye-hand coordination and save the world by playing Chicken Invaders. Exercise your brain with a game of Chess. There are many options for all levels of skill. No reservations needed. Computers are available daily until 8:30 p.m.
Tail Waggin’ Tutors
With Tail Waggin’ Tutors, children are introduced to the wonderful, magical world of books in a positive and unique way. Children who are experiencing difficulty reading or children who want to practice their reading skills experience increased confidence when they bond with a dog over a shared story. Kids can bone up on their reading skills by reading to a very special canine, certified by Therapy Dogs International to be gentle, patient and a good listener. For school-age children. Selected Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Main Library Multipurpose Room.