Check This Out...at the Library

My article for Mom Offers More February 2011:

February is a busy month, celebrating presidents’ birthdays, African American history, heart health, and of course, Valentine’s day.  These holidays and events are a great way to enrich your child’s knowledge. What better place to do it than the library?   

           The Westchester Library System is an invaluable resource.  I take my kids to the library once a week where they can participate in a class, use the computer, play with toys, go to family movie night, participate in book clubs, read, and so much more.  We check out bags of books, CD’s, DVD’s, toys, and audio books, sometimes too many things to carry!  The constant rotation of materials keeps it fresh for the kids and keeps it economical for me, since it’s all free. Most librarians make a holiday display so your child can easily browse for that perfect Valentine’s Day book.

            I also love that the internet makes using the library so much easier.  Before I go to the library, I will search the library’s catalog for books of interest and find out if the book is available for checkout. This allows me to quickly find the books when we get there so my kids can explore other books.  I can keep track of my checkouts on line, do advanced searches, place a hold on a book, use inter-library loan and pick up materials at my library of choice.  From the library websites I can view their calendar of events, access their educational programs, internet games, and find recommended reading, to name a few.  One of my personal favorites is Tumble Books Online that you can access from many of the websites.   The resources are endless. ‘Check out’ these library’s websites:

• Yorktownlibrary.org
• Henhudfreelibrary.org
• Crotonfreelibrary.org
• Peekskill.org
• Ossininglibrary.org 
• Briarcliffmanorlibrary.org

It's cold outside...warm up to a good book!

The kids are home from school on a cozy snowy day. You don't have to go to work.  So put on the tea kettle, wrap up in a throw blanket and get lost in a good book…with your kids! 

According to Scholastic, reading with your child for 20 minutes a day can help build vocabulary, literacy skills, and listening comprehension as well as spark their imagination.  Reading together is a chance for your child to simply enjoy cuddling and the tone of your voice.  This time together can help your child associate reading with attention, love, and pretty pictures.  Besides, it’s good for you too!

Here are some suggestions for techniques that I use with my children:

·        Always read the title, author and illustrator of the book. 

·        Let them turn the pages by giving them a signal.  I say “beep.”

·        Occasionally, point to the words as you read.  This shows them that text goes from left to right and lets them see the words as they hear them. 

·        Ask questions that require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

·        Make predictions by asking, “What do you think happens next?”

·        Have fun with dialog (my favorite part of reading to my kids)!  Make up silly voices for the characters and make them come alive for your child. 

·        Re-read!!  If they ask, and they will, read it again. Repetition is a great tool for the early reader. 

Try these picture books for some fireside snuggling:  The Mitten and Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Owl Moon by Jane Yolan, and Snow Crazy by Tracy Gallup.  So, when the weather outside is frightful, reading together is so delightful!