The library has just got to be one of my most favorite places on earth, that and the woods. Oooh, a library in the woods… That sounds nice, but, getting back on topic, in order to celebrate libraries, librarians, and all of our wonderful library workers – we are going to have a weeklong library celebration! It’s called ‘National Library Week’ and it runs from April 15-21! A celebration of libraries – sounds perfect to me! This is a great time to emphasize reading and to promote library use!
The principal’s newsletter from our elementary school had some great ideas to help our kids become skilled readers:
Read to them. Reading to your children is the most important think you can do to help children develop a love of books and reading.
Have plenty of material. Books are not the only items children can read. Posters, maps, magazines, recipes, and newspapers are great reading materials.
Listen to them read. From the day your children begin sounding out letters, concentrate on how they are doing. Try to also include some “read aloud” time.
Model good reading habits and limit TV. Your children need to see that reading is a lifelong skill and a form of entertainment. When you take them to the library to choose books, select some for yourself, too.
Let them choose. Within reason, allow your children to choose their own reading material. If they choose what to read, they will be more likely to actually spend time reading.
Ask the teacher. Your child’s teacher may suggest areas in which he or she may need some extra help. Also, make sure you let the teacher know if you hve noticed any reading problems at home.
Any time is a great time for a visit to the library, but, next week will be a very special time for all of us to help celebrate our libraries and appreciate our librarians and library workers!
You can read more about National Library Week at the American Library Association website.
GO READ A BOOK!
