Raising Readers: 0-2 year olds
Start your baby on the road to literacy with these tips, articles and recommended books geared just for them.
Great Books for Babies
Grab one of these great books and then snuggle up with your little one for reading time.
Toddler Books
Great books perfect for toddlers!
Baby Storytime
Baby Storytimes (0-24 months) are for our youngest library users. Nursery rhymes, songs, and simple stories build a foundation for a lifelong love of books and reading. Parents and caregivers should plan on participating with their children in these storytimes.
Click here for the schedule and to register.
Literacy Tips for 0-2 year olds
Read more about the six Prereading Skills every child needs before they can begin to read. Here are some specific tips to help your baby start to gain those skills.
Again! Again! The Importance of Repetition
Every parent has been there—reading a book, doing a puzzle, or singing a song over and over and OVER again because your child insists on it! Well, the same thing over and over that you find a little boring is actually interesting and exciting to your child. Repetition is how they learn, and they love learning!
Big, Simple Pictures and High Contrast Images
Babies' brand-new eyes are still learning to focus, especially during their first few months. Researchers have found that high-contrast images attract and hold babies' attention. This is why there are so many black-and-white baby toys available!
Choosing Board Books
What's one way to help your baby or toddler learn to love reading? Besides reading to them every day, you can give them plenty of board books to play with.
Finding Everday Literacy Teaching Moments
Parents, you are your child's first and most influential teacher. Throughout your day, you can provide fun and enriching activities that will give your child a head start on learning. Try introducing him to a variety of experiences. You will discover many more as you and your child begin to enjoy creative play time.
Fly into Reading with Mother Goose
Studies show that children who enter school knowing just a few nursery rhymes by heart tend to have an easier time learning how to read.
Mel's Desk
ALD Youth Services Librarian, Melissa Depper's blog about storytimes, early literacy, parent education, and staff training. Really great for information and ideas for reading to babies.
Reading to Baby
A new baby changes your life in many ways. Your challenge is to find a time for you and baby to eat, sleep, play and bathe. Be sure to include time every day for reading to baby.
Reading with babies, toddlers, and twos
by Susan Straub
Get the book
This fun, interactive guide for parents on what to read, when to read, and how to read to children ages 0-3 answers all the questions of parents, expectant parents, and grandparents who wander through the bookstore scanning the shelves.
Storyblocks.org
Visit www.storyblocks.org, an online video collection featuring one-minute songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and preschool children in both English and Spanish.
