{"id":33866,"date":"2025-07-29T00:01:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=33866"},"modified":"2025-07-27T18:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T22:53:36","slug":"little-learners-getting-ready-for-prek-at-the-library","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2025\/07\/little-learners-getting-ready-for-prek-at-the-library\/","title":{"rendered":"Little Learners: Getting Ready for PreK at the Library"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many, if not all, public library systems provide story time for their preschool-aged patrons. These story times focus on early literacy skills to help get children ready to read. We often market these programs as helping to prepare children for preschool. This is because we know that early exposure to singing, talking, and reading sets children up to become successful readers. However, there is even more that the library can offer in terms of school readiness programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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An example of a group craft based on the book “Going On a Bear Hunt” (photo courtesy of blogger).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Last summer, I attended a session hosted by DC Public Schools that provided families with an overview of what the typical preschool day would look like for their children. I learned about what content would be covered, the length of the day, and the structure of the program. I then combined my new knowledge of DCPS\u2019s preschool program with my own experiences as a preschool teacher to bring a preschool readiness program to my library. At the end of the summer, I introduced a multi-part series called \u201cLittle Learners\u201d for ages 3-5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was it?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Little Learners was run over four days for 1.5 hours each day at the end of August. Each program consisted of a circle time, where we reviewed a schedule, calendar, and said hello. We then transitioned into a whole-group read-aloud. Then, children and their families participated in a whole-group craft themed around the read-aloud. As participants began to finish their crafts, a block of centers was introduced. There were typically 3-4 centers available for families to work through at their own pace. These were themed around the book of the day. These centers consisted of sensory, math, and other learning activities. After about 20 minutes of centers, families were invited to clean up as a group, and then everyone came back together for a goodbye circle.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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An example of a STEM-based center activity based on the book “Ten Apples Up On Top” (photo courtesy of blogger).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Why this program?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Little Learners was something that I developed after hearing from many families about their nerves in getting their children ready for school. They were nervous that their children would not know what school really was, or why they were there, if they had never done something like that before. As someone who previously worked as a preschool teacher, I felt as though I was in a unique position to be able to show kids what school is like. The program was created with the following purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n