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Katie L.'s Big Top Birthday
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Kent District Library turns 75 this year! Let's wish Katie L., our elephant friend, a HUGE Happy Birthday! Join us at the library for birthday crafts and activities which foster the basic Early Literacy practices of Singing, Playing, Talking and Writing. There will also be yummy treats.
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| Nursery Nook | |
Jack in the Box
Jack in the box, sits so still.
Won't you come out?
Yes, I will!
Directions: Say the first part of the rhyme quietly and then happily say the last line as you lift baby into the air.
Vestibular System Stimulation:
This is a flying baby rhyme or a rhyme that has you lifting baby up in the air. It helps develop strong core muscles. It is important to stimulate the vestibular system, the part of the brain that handles balance and the sense of gravity as this will help baby in learning to sit up, walk, and run.
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| Music Minute | |
The always entertaining Wayne Brady has a new children's album out this year full of fun songs for the whole family. The DJ style songs are full of important tips for kids and are delivered with Brady's classic musical style.
With songs like "Say Please", "You Are What You Eat", and "Reading Can be Fun", Brady remains entertaining while including educational lyrics.
Head over to your local KDL branch to check out a copy today or request it online.
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Greetings!
The Kent District Library is here to provide you and your child with the skills needed to succeed in school and in life. KDL's Early Lit Bits newsletter is full of FUN and simple activities that will help foster that growth. For more information regarding 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 in order to speak with one of our helpful youth librarians. We hope to see you soon!
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| Learning with Crafts |
Homemade Play Dough
Here is a great recipe for homemade play dough. It is smooth in texture and does not leave hands feeling chapped like many saltier recipes. The food coloring is optional and can be left out to reduce the risk of carpet stains.
Manipulating play dough is an excellent way for children to develop the muscles in the hand needed for writing. Mix up a batch and have some indoor fun on a cold, wet day.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
¼ cup salt
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. cream of tartar
A few drops of food coloring (optional)
Mix all ingredients together in a medium, non stick saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir until the dough forms and becomes too stiff to stir. Let cool and knead a few times. Store in the fridge in a sealed container.
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| Book Review | |
The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
Here is a new twist on the traditional "Wheels on the Bus" song. Karen Katz has written and illustrated a wonderful new book that will have children begging for a repeat reading. The illustrations are bright and cheery with Katz's trademark expressive, round headed babies. The verses range from "move on back" to "toot, toot, toot" to "bye-bye, bus!"...audience participation in the movements and singing is highly encouraged. This is a great choice for large storytimes or more intimate sharing. Singing develops listening and memory skills and makes repetition easier for young children - it's easier to remember a short song than a short story. Singing also helps children learn new words and differentiate syllables.
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| KDLville Early Literacy Play Spaces | |
The Byron Township Branch opened a KDLville early literacy play space in April. Over 400 people attended a fun-filled ribbon cutting ceremony! KDLville has been a huge success in the community as evidenced by the new families that visit the library to play and learn as well as the families that come week after week. It is a joy to watch the children and parents play, and there are always "oohs and aahs" when a new theme is introduced. The children frequently prepare imaginary meals in the kitchen as well as entertain their parents and grandparents with puppet shows. Children love pushing the shopping carts filled with food, toys, and books! It's great to see imaginations at work and early literacy skills growing!
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