Early Bit Lits
July, 2010Issue No. 4
KDL Blue
 
In This Issue
The Write Stuff
Summer Reading
Make a Mailbox
Music Madness
Nursery Nook
The Write Stuff
Using scissors is a great way for young children to get ready to write!  When your child first starts using scissors, try to give him or her successful, positive experiences by allowing him or her to cut miscellaneous shapes and lines instead of trying to cut out specific patterns.  As your child develops scissor skills, you can then encourage more detailed cutting.  For some entertaining practice, print out our Summer Fun with Katie L. cutting page.
There's Still Time for Summer Reading!
KDL's Summer Reading Club goes until Saturday, August 7, so be sure to stop in and sign up if you haven't already.  Even if you can't complete 25 days of literacy-related activities, you can still bring your log to any KDL branch for a reading prize.  Any amount of reading time is beneficial to your child!
 
Looking for something that's felxible and casual, yet still provides positive, literacy-related activities for your child?  Try one of our drop-in programs!  Creative Playtime provides an opportunity for your child to improve his or her narrative skills by acting out stories through play.  Drop-In Craft Time allows your child to experiment with different art supplies while developing fine motor skills, which will help with writing skills later on.  Both of these programs will be happening at multiple branch locations throughout the end of the summer. 
 
Don't miss any of the other fun and free programs happening at KDL branches this summer!  Check our online calendar of events for more information!
 
 
Greetings!

The Kent District Library wants to help get your child ready to read and write!  In this newsletter, you will find FUN and simple activities to do with your child that will help meet that goal.  For more information on the skills your child needs before he or she learns to read, visit the Play-Grow-Read section of the KDL website.  You can also stop by any KDL branch--our youth librarians would love to share their knowledge with you! 
 
Learning with Crafts!
Play-Grow-Read
Make a Mailbox
Take some time this month to make a special mailbox with your child.  Simply decorate an old tissue box with markers, stickers and any old craft embellishments you have.  Write your child's name on the mailbox and spend time helping your child write letters to family members.  If your child can't write yet, write down what he or she wants to say and then encourage him or her to color or scribble on the page.  Write letters back to your child and read them aloud.  This activity is great for helping your child develop print awareness; it also helps your child get ready to write!
Music Madness! 
Pete the Cat, written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, is a great children's picture book that has a catchy song to go along with it.  The story is about a hip cat who starts out with a pair of white shoes only to step into many piles and puddles that transform his shoes into something new each time.  HarperCollins, the book publisher, has a website set up just for Pete where you can download a free mp3 file of the song "I Love My White Shoes."  The site also offers a free "Pin the Shoe on Pete" activity download.  If you want to watch a live telling of Pete the Cat by author "Mr. Eric" at a bookstore storytime, click on the following link to watch it on YouTube. 
Nursery Nook 
"Children's brains are only 25% developed at birth.  From that moment, whenever a baby is fed, cuddled, played with, talked to, sung to, or read to, the other 75% of its brain begins to develop." From Reading Magic by Mem Fox. 
 
Every experience we share with the children in our care helps them develop.  Sharing our favorite songs and rhymes is a great place to start!  Try this song:
 
I'm a Little Teapot
I'm a little teapot short and stout (bounce in place)
Here is my handle (place one hand on hip)
Here is my spout (place other arm straight out)
When I get all steamed up hear me shout
Tip me over and pour me out (lean in the direction of the spout).
 
Also try this second verse:
I'm a special teapot, this is true
Let me show you what I can do
I can change my handle and my spout
Tip me over and pour me out