Fun with WORDS for Parents and Children

Why we are hereState-of-the-art ideas

Proven practices

Fun things to do at home

Reading is essential to school success.

Learning to read begins before children start

school.

Start now to help

your child be ready to learn to

read

Why is it important for

children to get ready to read

before they start school?

Children who start kindergarten with good pre-reading skills have an

advantage.

They are ready to learn to read.

Why are parents so important in

helping their children get

ready to read?

You are your child’s first teacher.

You know your child best.

Children learn best by doing, and they love doing things with you.

Five simple practices help childrenget ready to read.

Help your child get ready to read

with simple activities every

day.

Every child is unique.

The five practices provide fun learning experiences for children of different

ages and interests.

Use the language you know

best to help your child

get ready to read.

Talking to learn new words.

Children learn new words by

labeling objects, events,

and feelings.

Talking to learn new words.

Have conversations.Ask your child

questions.Talk during daily

routines.

Talking and telling stories

to learn new words.“Tell me about when I was little,

what I liked to do.”Children learn words when you:• Read and discuss wordless picture books. • Tell family stories.

Many chances to talk.

“Remember your last birthday party? Let’s talk about it. Who was there? What was your favorite food? What games did we play?”

Children learn words through

everyday interactions with

you.

Singing to learn words.

Let’s sing “Everything Has a Shape.” Think about the words that might be new to your child.

“Everything has a shape,Pencils, pretzels and plates.

Sneakers and skates and Superman’s cape,Rivers and lakes and tiny snow flakes,

Everything has a shape, everything has a shape.”

Reading to learn new words.

Rule of three times: Read a book 3 times to learn new vocabulary. Repetition helps children remember what new words mean.

Reading to learn new words.

Read:

• Predictable Books• Information Books

Writing to learn new words.

Writing is a great way to make

children conscious of words and to

help them increase their vocabulary.

Playing to learn new words.

Children love to “play with words” in poems, jokes, and riddles.

“Why do you have

to go to bed?Because the bed

won’t come to you!”

Every day objects and

basic toys are educational—

since they were invented.

Make your home a learning zone!

The best toys are often the ones where the kids do the thinking, talking, deciding, and making.

The New Orleans Public Library helps children get ready to read.

We have weekly story hours at most branches. Bring a friend to story hour.

Talking and reading:

We have books for you to take homeand read together.

Board Books are wonderful first books. They won’t last forever, but they are lots of fun.

Singing: We have music to borrow.Learn new songs!

We have rap, pop, children’s, Cajun, country, classical, folk, and world music for you to borrow.

Dancing with your kid is fun and tires them out!

Writing

The Library has the tiniest pencils with no erasers!

Because you can make mistakes at the Library.

The Library has free coloring sheets and crayons. We encourage kids to spend a little quiet time making pictures during their visits.

We have a bookmark design contest every year.

Playing

We offer some of the best free programs in the city during the Summer

Many story hours include a craft project. You provide the child and we provide the paper and scissors. Our crafts are often based on books—and you can talk about the book as you color.

Children’s parties at the Library are free and include a wide range of activities.

Find free programs for all ages @ neworleanspubliclibrary.org

Teen Programs: Game Nights, Workshops, Movies.

Adults: Artist talks, author visits, book clubs, and more.

Come to future Every Child Ready to Read classes

for parents and children.

• Fun for Parents and Children• Fun with Letters•Fun with Science and Math

We also offer PrimeTime Family Reading Time, a six-week literacy & discussion program for families with children ages 6 to 12.

Bring a photo ID with your current address to the Library to get a free library card.

How do I get a Library card??

ONLINE @ neworleanspubliclibrary.org

Hours (vary by location)Monday through Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm

Saturday 10 am to 5 pmFriday: 10 am to 5 pm Main Library, Central City

Friday: 9 am to 5 pm King Branch

The New Orleans Public Library has been dedicated to promoting reading since 1896.

Thanks for Coming.

Keep Coming Back!