CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT NEWS

August 2014

Frederick County Public Libraries

Greetings!

Summer is almost over, but the Summer Reading Program is still going strong. Thousands of kids and teens are participating in free, fun events and special programs in all our branches, as well as entering their book reviews and comments online. Registration continues until August 9th so it's not too late to join the fun!

We'd like to take our hats off to PNC Bank, The Frederick News-Post, Westview Promenade, and the Friends of Frederick County Public Libraries, whose tremendous financial support makes the summer reading program such a success. In addition to funding, PNC provides volunteer support through its employees, who help with summer reading programs at FCPL branches countywide.

In the event that this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to continue to receive information about library programs, services, and events, we invite you to sign up here for our email newsletter.

Sincerely,
Darrell Batson, Director
Frederick County Public Libraries

In This Issue

Jump Into Kindergarten

Homeschool Connections

Keep in Touch

FIRST FRIDAY FUN FEST
at Westview Promenade

FCPL Teams up with Westview Promenade for free, fantastic fun! Drop by for a variety of storytimes, music, games, and crafts. Each month features a special theme and unique activities. During inclement weather the event will be held next to MOM's Market in the former Big Screen TV store location.
August 1st at 10 am

For details, visit fcpl.org

STEM LAB OPEN HOURS
Drop-In Play at C. Burr Artz Public Library

The STEM Lab at the C. Burr Artz Public Library is now open on Thursday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm for drop-in play for kids from preschool to 18 years old. Each week we'll feature different equipment, experiments, and suggested activities.

The Drop-In Play sessions are open to 15 participants at a time on a first-come, first-serve basis with 30 minutes to explore, play, and create.

The STEM Lab is home to a variety of equipment that children Visitors to the STEM Lab. and teens can use to explore the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math including:

3D Printer
Snap Circuits
iPad Minis
Microscopes
Drone
LEGO� Mindstorms
Goldieblox
Plasma Ball
3Doodler 3D Pen
...and more!

Visitors during the STEM Lab Grand Opening. Additional STEM Lab hours and programs will be added this fall. Be sure to check the STEM Lab page on our website for the latest updates, information, and hours.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday afternoons, from 3-5pm, at the STEM Lab on the 2^nd floor of the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick!

Funding for the STEM Lab is provided by National Center for Families Learning, AAA, KinderCare, and Frederick County Public Libraries.

FREDERICK COUNTY INFANTS AND TODDLERS PROGRAM

The Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program is an often overlooked but invaluable resource for Frederick County children and families. A variety of excellent services are available through the Infants and Toddlers Program for children with developmental delays, disabilities, or special health care needs. Examples of services provided include audiological services, health services (such as consultations with pediatricians who specialize in development), nutrition, occupational and/or physical therapy, and speech and language therapy.

The program is provided at no cost to Frederick County residents with children from birth to three years of age who may have a developmental disability or delay. Although many of the referrals come from physicians, parents are also able to arrange for an evaluation by calling 301-600-1612. Services are provided in the child's natural environment (at home or in a daycare setting) and the providers work with the caregivers to help the child reach his or her fullest potential.

Frederick County Public Libraries are proud to be partners with the Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for our Storyland storytimes. These programs are multisensory storytimes with lots of movement, music, and fun for all children from birth through three years of age. Storyland storytimes are presented on a monthly basis at the C. Burr Artz, Brunswick, and Thurmont libraries.

For more information about the Frederick County Infants and Toddlers, please visit the Frederick County Infants & Toddlers Program website. For more information and to register for our Storyland storytimes please visit our Children's Programs page and enter "storyland" in the search box.

Submitted by Jeanne Read

Thurmont Regional Library

A CART FULL OF EARLY LITERACY IDEAS

Ah, summer. Fresh vegetables from the garden, fruit from the farmer's market, and summer produce from the grocery store... The tastes of summer offer many opportunities to help enhance your child's early literacy skills.

For example, the next time you shop for groceries pick a specific letter and then make it a game to see how many foods your child can find beginning with that letter. Check out a copy of Lois Ehlert's book Eating the Alphabet to help enhance letter recognition. It is filled with large colorful illustrations of various fruits and vegetables representing all of the letters A-Z. Expand your child's vocabulary by introducing them to fruits and vegetables they may be unfamiliar with. The book Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres helps children practice spatial concepts all while learning about how vegetables grow. While shopping, look at the sizes of fruits and vegetables. Ask your child to use descriptive words such as big, bigger, and biggest when picking your fruits and vegetables from the bin. Have children count the number of seeds in their slice of watermelon. Your children can gobble up literacy concepts while developing a healthy mind and body.

While you're out, stop by and visit the new Emmitsburg Literacy Learning Center filled with fun games and activities to enhance early literacy skills at the Emmitsburg Library. Feed the monkey his bananas, play a game of jungle memory, and meet the center mascot ELLA the Elephant.

Submitted by Cheryl Dillman

Emmitsburg Branch Library

KINDERGARTEN KIDS
FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN BOOKS

Starting kindergarten can be a scary time for young children. A new place, new kids, new activities, new everything! Most children experience some anxiety along with the excitement of beginning the "big kids" school. One way to counteract this nervousness is to read a lot of kindergarten books with your child before the first day of school. These books can help kids see that a lot of other kids also experience the same feelings, as well as demonstrating what other kids do to help themselves feel better. Reading books together with your child is a sure way to get them excited for the school year to come!

For Kids:

Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!

by Hyewon Yum - E YUM

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

by Audrey Vernick - E VERN

Off to Kindergarten

by Tony Johnston - E JOHN

Kindergarten Countdown

by Anna Jane Hays - E HAYS - CONCEPTS

Molly Rides the School Bus

by Julie Brillhart - E BRI

Eliza's Kindergarten Surprise

by Alice McGinty - E MCGI

Kindergarten Kids: Riddles, Rebuses, Wiggles, Giggles, and More!

by Stephanie Calmenson - J 811 CAL

For Parents:

Ready--start--school! Nurturing and Guiding Your Child through Preschool and Kindergarten

by Sandra Rief - 372.21 RIE

What Your Preschooler Needs to Know: Read-alouds to Get Ready for Kindergarten

by E.D. Hirsch - 372.21 WHAT

Submitted by Tara Lebherz

Thurmont Regional Library

JUMP INTO KINDERGARTEN

Do you have a child headed for his or her first day of kindergarten? You may want to consider registering for the upcoming Jump Into Kindergarten program at the Thurmont Library. Children will have an opportunity to sample what a typical day at school will be like: Circle Time, Center Time, Stories and more!

This program will also provide both children and parents with a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get some of the "1st Day" butterflies out!

The program is being offered at the Thurmont Library on Monday, August 18th at 2pm and also at 6:30pm. You can register at fcpl.org or by calling the library at 301-600-7214.

Similar programs will also be offered at the Walkersville Library and Middletown Library. Visit the Middletown Library on Thursday, August 7th, at 1pm or 6:30pm for KinderPrep. The Walkersville Library is offering Ready, Set, Go - Kindergarten Readiness on Tuesday, August 12th, at 11am and on Thursday, August 14th, at 5:45pm.

Submitted by Marlene Bordner

Thurmont Regional Library

HOMESCHOOL CONNECTIONS
ENRICHING YOUR HOMESCHOOL EXPERIENCE

As a homeschooling family, adding a second language to your curriculum is one of the best gifts that you could give your children. Bilingualism not only prepares children for success in the global community, it also helps them become better problem solvers because they are challenged to process information in multiple ways. Our librarians are happy to show you the many language learning resources FCPL has to offer.

PRESCHOOL - GRADE 5

BOOKS WITH READ-A-LONG CD

Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! = No dejes que la paloma conduzca el autobus!

by Mo Willems - E RA FOR SPA WILL

Almost = Casi

by Peter H. Reynolds - E RA FOR SPA REYN

Strega nona: un cuento tradicional

by Tomie De Paola - E FOR SPA DEP

DVDs

FCPL offers a variety of children's language learning DVDs including Bilingual Baby and Muzzy. Bilingual Baby DVDs teach children between ages 2-5 more than 60 words and phrases using the Total Immersion Method and 100% live action with familiar objects.

Bilingual Baby - Portuguese

DVD CH 469.834 BILI

Bilingual Baby - Hebrew

DVD CH 492.434 BILI

Bilingual Baby - Greek

DVD CH 488.34 BILI

Bilingual Baby - French

DVD CH 448.342 BILI

Muzzy I - English, Spanish, French, German, Italian

J KIT 400 MUZZY LEVEL 1

My First Mandarin Chinese Phrases by Jill Kalz book cover

Muzzy II - Spanish, English, French, German, Italian

J KIT 400 MUZZY LEVEL 2

Muzzy I - Mandarin Chinese

J KIT 495.1 MUZZY LEVEL 1

Muzzy II - Mandarin Chinese

J KIT 495.1 MUZZY LEVEL 2

BOOKS

My First Book of Spanish Words

by Katy R. Kudela J 463.21 KUDE

Let's Learn Italian Picture Dictionary

by Marlene Goodman - J 453.21 LET

My First Book of Korean Words: An ABC Rhyming Book

by Henry J. Amen - J 495.782 AMEN

My First German Phrases

by Jill Kalz - J 438.342 KALZ

My First Arabic Phrases

by Jill Kalz - J 492.783 KALZ

Jill Kalz continues the My first... series with other languages including Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and French.

FCPL DATABASES

Our Language Learning Resource Guide includes links to Mango Complete and other recommended free language websites. Mango Complete is an in-depth, visually engaging interactive language learning tool that can be accessed with your library card number. Languages included are: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, Greek, and ESL Spanish.

Submitted by Penny Stockton

Thurmont Regional Library

Keep In Touch

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Thanks, See you around the library!