Category: Blogger Early & Family Literacy committee

Hooray! You found the perfect bit of research to share with your storytime grownups and selected “to effectively learn mathematical ideas and skills, children need many opportunities to hear and use mathematical language” as the basis for your early literacy aside. You know there will be much to talk about because this week’s theme is dinosaurs. Our prehistoric pals offer plenty of possibilities to explore content knowledge (math) as well as phonological awareness. Storytime Aside #1: The Explain Tip Now that you’ve determined what you want to share, it’s time to craft your aside! Most storytimes include two to three tips, but the first one is simple. All you have to do is say what the general concept is – the explain tip. For example, “I’m going to share some information today about how we can help children think and talk like mathematicians!” Storytime Aside #2: The Example Tip Next…

Early Literacy, Inclusion, and the Power of Representation in The Adventures of Baxter, Boom, & Bale In early literacy spaces, the stories we share matter. They shape how children see themselves, how they understand others, and how they begin to make sense of the world. In a recent interview, author Tamika Morris-Troy—creator of The Adventures of Baxter, Boom, & Bale—demonstrates how inclusive storytelling can transform early learning by centering identity, connection, and belonging. Drawing from her lived experience as a mother of children on the autism spectrum, Morris-Troy has developed a children’s book series that integrates storytelling, social-emotional learning, and neurodiversity-affirming representation. Her work offers a compelling model for how early literacy materials can support both skill development and identity affirmation. From Lived Experience to Literacy Practice Morris-Troy describes her series as “a journaling experience,” rooted in real-life moments with her children. This authenticity is central to why the books…

Early in my career at my public library, we began acquiring leveled readers. These are the small books with text that relies on predictability and repetition and often promote memorizing and guessing over phonological skill building. Over the years, we have grown this collection and watched the checkouts soar. This is where staff take caregivers who ask, “Do you have books for my child who is learning to read?” However, the research on the Science of Reading is transforming how teachers teach kids to read. It is time to transform our “go-to” collection into a display that supports this change. We need a display of decodable books. Decodable books focus on skill building. Phonological and phonemic skills are taught gradually and systematically. Words in a decodable book use only the skills learned thus far. Kids build a foundation that gives them the skills and confidence to decode. What is the…

February is a time to celebrate Black history and cultural contributions—but it is also an important opportunity to support early literacy through representation, connection, and conversation. For young children, literacy begins long before they can read words on a page. It begins with being seen, heard, and valued. Research shows that shared reading experiences that reflect children’s lived experiences support language development, social-emotional growth, and a sense of belonging (Baicker, 2020). When books center Black joy, family, and everyday life, children are more likely to see themselves as readers and storytellers. Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Doors Children need books that act as mirrors (reflecting their own lives), windows (offering insight into others’ experiences), and doors (inviting them to imagine new possibilities). Culturally responsive literacy practices help children develop motivation and identity as readers, particularly for children who have historically been underrepresented in children’s literature (Irby, 2017). Suggested Picture Books…