Early Lit Bits

August, 2012

Issue No . 28

In This Issue

Experience Summer @ KDL

Nursery Nook

Music Minute

Learning with Crafts

Book Review

KDLville Play Spaces

Experience Summer @ KDL

We have extended our Summer Reading program all the way through August this year. We've also added a virtual experience where you and your children can earn online badges by doing activities at the library, at home and around town. For example, to claim the Animal Lover badge you can attend a library program about animals, read a book about animals, watch an animal movie or come up with your own fun animal-related activity. Collect all 10 of the free badges!

Check the online event calendar for dates and times of all our FREE programs this summer.

Nursery Nook

"This is the Way We..."

This is the way we clap our hands, clap our hands, clap our hands

This is the way we clap our hands

On a bright and sunny morning!

This is the way we tap our feet, tap our feet, tap our feet

This is the way we tap our feet

On a bright and sunny morning!

This is a wonderful, adjustable rhyme for any season or occasion! You can change the lyrics to whatever suits your need:

WINTER: This is the way we put on our boots...put on our coat...tie up our scarf

BATHTIME: This is the way we wash our hair...scrub our toes...rinse ourselves

BEDTIME: This is the way we lay down our head...tuck myself in...kiss you goodnight

GOING OUT: This is the way we put on our shoes...march out the door...get in the car...drive to the store

This helps children learn the order in which to do activities and new vocabulary.

Music Minute

Seeing live music is a great way to bond with a child and make memories. Children will have fun interacting with the music in a group setting with other children and adults. This summer KDL has had some fun opportunities to see some live music and sing and dance! Be sure to regularly check our event calendar for "Music and Dance" events. Here are some upcoming summer music related events at KDL:

Greetings!

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 to speak with one of our helpful youth librarians. We hope to see you soon!

Learning with Crafts

Clothesline Alphabet

Here's a fun and inexpensive way to help children learn the alphabet and letter sounds as well as work hand muscles they will need when they learn to write.

Materials:

26 wooden clothespins (the kind you pinch to open)

Clothesline string

Marker

To Use:

Print an uppercase letter of the alphabet on the top of each of the wooden clothespins with a marker.

String a clothesline along a wall, or between two trees outside within the reach of your child. (Be sure to supervise small children playing near the clothesline.) Have your child put the clothespins on the line in alphabetical order. Say the name of each letter as you pin it to the clothesline.

Other Ideas:

Search your home for fun items that start with each of the letters of the alphabet. Pin the items with the clothespin that has a matching letter, i.e. pin a sock to the clothespin marked with S, or a necklace to the clothespin marked with N. If you cannot find a real item to pin up, draw a picture of an item instead and pin the picture to the clothesline. Try making flashcards of lowercase letters and matching them to the upper case letters on the clothespins.

Book Review

If All the Animals Came Inside by Eric Pinder

"The walls would tremble. The windows would shake. Oh, what a terrible mess we would make!"

From elephants to hyenas and many species in between, the animals have come inside and are enjoying all the comforts of home. Mom's not happy with the pandas invading the pantry and Dad has an unpleasant surprise when the porcupine has settled in his chair. This story has a fun, rhyming chant throughout the colorful pages. The illustrations are collage-style, incorporating actual photographs with humorous drawings.

Pinder's book would be great for reading to a group, encouraging the audience to chant along, but also fun for one-on-one reading and spotting all of the unique photographs in the illustrations. Talk about the story and ask what kind of trouble an animal might make if it came to your house. Have your child create their own drawing or collage by cutting out pictures from old magazines. Drawing and scribbling both strengthen hand muscles, which will get your child ready to write!

If All the Animals Came Inside

KDLville Early Literacy Play Spaces

Tyrone Township's KDLville is a hands-on early literacy play center designed to stimulate the mind and encourage a love of reading and learning. Check out our many activity bins featuring a variety of fun and educational toys and playsets. Experience dramatic play with our deluxe kitchen center and dress up area. Build something new at our Lego table or create a work of art on our magnetic easel. We also have a wide variety of board books to enjoy with your little one. With these activities and more, you're sure to have a great time with your little one at KDLville in Tyrone Township.

Tyrone KDLville