Currituck County Public Library

Learning to read begins before children start school. Young children need to develop important language and literacy skills before they can actually learn to read.

Parents and other caregivers can start now to help their children develop these skills. Children’s Story Times from the Currituck County Library demonstrate how parents can use five familiar and easy-to-use practices to develop language and other early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.

Each of the Every Child Ready to Read^® programs explains why the skills are so important, demonstrates how to help children learn the skills, provides titles of high-interest books that are age appropriate, and sends parents and caregivers home with early literacy activities they can incorporate into their family’s daily routine.

The programs are based on research about language, early literacy skills, and how children learn. “We know that children from birth to age five learn primarily through interactions with their parents and other important adults in their lives as well as from their environment,” said Laura Salmons, Currituck County Librarian. “Every Child Ready to Read^® gives parents and other caregivers simple but powerful ways to help children develop the language and other skills they need to learn to read.”

According to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA), the divisions of the American Library Association that developed Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, parents and other caregivers are in the best position to help young children learn these skills because:

• Parents know their children best and can help them learn in ways and at times that are easiest for them.

• Young children have short attention spans. Parents and caregivers can engage children in language and literacy activities for short bits of time throughout the day.

• Parents are tremendous role models–children are more likely to want to read if they see that their parents value and enjoy reading.

• Children learn best by doing—and they love doing things with their parents. 

Parents can give children a tremendous advantage in school and in life by helping prepare them for reading success. Children’s spring Story Times begin on March 7, 2017 at the Currituck County Library in Barco and at the Moyock Branch Library. Four programs are scheduled: Toddler Story Time for children 18 months to three years, Preschool Story Time for children three to five years, Family Story Time for families with children up the second grade and a six-week Babygarten program for children infant to 18 months. Please see the calendar for specific dates and times.

For more information about upcoming Every Child Ready to Read^® Story Times being offered by the Currituck County Library, as well as other materials and resources for parents and caregivers, contact the Barco or Moyock libraries at 252-453-8345 or 252-435-6419.