{"id":6538,"date":"2013-05-31T12:01:20","date_gmt":"2013-05-31T16:01:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=6538"},"modified":"2013-05-29T23:04:09","modified_gmt":"2013-05-30T03:04:09","slug":"spreading-the-word-about-early-literacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2013\/05\/spreading-the-word-about-early-literacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Spreading the Word about Early Literacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do we reach those who might not yet know about the importance of early literacy?\u00a0 Attendees at storytimes tend to be the motivated ones, but Deschutes Public Library<\/a> in central Oregon wanted to make sure we were also offering support to those who might not feel comfortable reading aloud to a baby or making up rhymes with a toddler.\u00a0 Several years ago we began a campaign called \u201cRead, Rhyme, Romp: The Three R\u2019s to Grow a Reader.\u201d\u009d\u00a0 Donations from the Friends and the Foundation, as well as grants and library funds, have allowed us to continue getting the word out about the skills and activities needed to grow a reader.\u00a0 Here are the parts of our many-faceted marketing campaign:<\/p>\n

\"BookletPhoto\"<\/a>
\nTodd Parr.\u00a0 <\/b>Todd Parr makes you feel good!\u00a0 He graciously agreed to let us contract with him to use his art for all of our promotional materials.<\/p>\n


\nEarly Literacy Calendars.\u00a0 <\/b>Our fun-filled calendars offer rhymes, songs, recommended books, early literacy activities, and research, surrounded by gorgeous illustrations from children\u2019s books.\u00a0 Each month is focused around one of the 5 activities recommended by Every Child\u00a0 Ready to Read @ Your Library\u2013read, talk, play, sing and write.\u00a0 Calendars (and the rhyme booklets below) are distributed through hospitals, pediatric offices, social service organizations, and preschools in our 5 communities.<\/p>\n

\"CalendarPhoto\"<\/a> Rhymes On the Go.<\/b>\u00a0 This small booklet of playful English or Spanish rhymes is intended to stick in the diaper bag, car or purse, so when parent and child are standing in line, or waiting at an office, they have a quick and easy resource for ways to play with words.<\/p>\n

Early Literacy Videos.\u00a0 <\/b>Being silly with rhymes and songs comes easy to most of us, but others might need encouragement.\u00a0 We\u2019ve posted 40 videos on our early literacy web page<\/a> of librarians demonstrating some of our favorites.<\/p>\n

Workshops.<\/b>\u00a0 Parenting classes, civic groups, preschool teachers– wherever and whenever, I speak to groups interested in knowing more.\u00a0 I might get 10 minutes or 90, there might be children or not, I might have 3 attendees or 30.\u00a0 The keywords are flexibility and fun!<\/p>\n

Read, Rhyme and Romp book.<\/b>\u00a0 I\u2019m such a geek about early literacy I had to write a book<\/a>.\u00a0 It features an abundance of recommended activities for parents, preschool teachers and librarians, plus hundreds of recommended titles and related research.<\/p>\n

For those who come into our buildings we make sure they are surrounded by opportunities to interact with their child:<\/p>\n

Early Learning Space.<\/b>\u00a0 We have 6 libraries that range from urban to rural.\u00a0 Beginning with the library in Redmond, and hopefully extending to 3 more next fiscal year, we are creating spaces in each children\u2019s room that feature opportunities for child and care provider to talk, imagine, play, and learn.\u00a0\u00a0 A rhyming rug, doll house, writing pads, alphabet bags, puzzles, a puppet stage, magnet boards with rhymes, and more enhance the children\u2019s area.\u00a0 The Imagination Station is sponsored by a local business for 6 months, and their donation allows us to buy related educational toys so the children can be creative while they learn.
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