Raising a reader starts at home - before kindergarten! Jefferson County Public Library is partnering with One Book 4 Colorado to get a free book in the hand of every four-year-old in Jeffco by giving away more than 5,000 copies of a book - Groovy Joe Dance Party Countdown - in all ten Jeffco Library locations, plus the bookmobile.
Pick up your child’s free book (in English or Spanish) anytime from April 9 -23. Ask us how we can help get your preschooler ready to read and write through Story Times, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Summer Reading, and many other program for kids and families.
Reading: Cuddle up and read together. Check out lots of picture books from your library about things that your child likes. Read favorite books over and over. Have fun — use silly voices, make animal noises, talk about the pictures, and get him involved in the story! Grab a Stories to Go kit from your library with books and activities about popular themes.
Writing: Have crayons, pencils and paper in the house for your child to use all the time. Ask her to help you write notes. Scribbling and drawing, tracing in sand, playing with clay, or crinkling newspaper helps to strengthen finger muscles.
Singing: Sing, clap and dance to your child’s favorite songs. Check out CDs at your library to learn some new ones. Singing slows down language so preschoolers can hear the different sounds in words. Changing the words or adding your child’s name to favorite songs makes it even more fun. Come to a Let’s Dance program to shake those wiggles out!
Talking: Talk all the time. Ask about her day – what were the best, the hardest and funniest parts. Share about your day as well. Talking builds your child’s word bank, helps her learn about the world and lets her practice having conversations.
Playing: Play pretend games with puppets or any objects. Empty boxes can become cars or animals. A ruler can turn into a magic wand. A bowl on top of someone’s head is a hat. Play lets kids practice language, understand how the world works, and put their thoughts into words. Library Story Times are full of singing, rhyming, dancing and playing!
Book available while supplies last, April 9 - 23.
