Visiting a Local Joyful Place

Visit the Library - Often!

   The library is a great place to take grandchildren when providing childcare. The visits are easy, inexpensive, and offer a fresh supply of books for the home stack. They provide an opportunity for adults and children to meet others with similar interests. 

    Libraries are providing so much more than books. Check out the mailer sent to your home or library information board.  Librarians more than ever are pairing reading with art, music, games, Lego engineering, reading to pets, science, math, economics, technology, contests, writing, storytelling, puppets, toys, and imaginary play. 

A Bit of Prep

   As with any activity, families can prepare children for good behavior and practice t before visiting.  A library is a place to walk and use an indoor voice because others are thinking and reading. It is a joyful place to explore, be friendly, share toys with others, and greet librarians. Build it up as one of the most wonderful treasures in the community.  It is, if you want children to be good readers and successful. 

Take a Tour -- Notice Displays and Artwork

  Take a short tour of the library. Notice displays. Introduce children to the library toys in the children’s section and play with them together. Then take a peek at books you want to encourage.  Librarians will help you find sections of your favorite books. 

  Large storybooks and other fiction books are made up and organized by the author’s last name. They have beautiful illustrations that are important to point out and discuss while reading. 

  Nonfiction books are factual and are arranged by numbers on their spines. Ask librarians to help find a topic and browse the shelves.  Preschool children may like to look at the pictures of nonfiction books while adults explain what they are seeing. 

Learn and Enjoy...

Children often want to take out a favorite book repeatedly like an old familiar blanket. They often pretend to “read” these books to adults because they have them memorized. This behavior is one of the first signs that you are raising a reader.

Transition to Home

  Leaving may be the tough part. About 20 minutes before departing start a transition time. Some adults point to a clock’s minute hand to show the leaving time even though children can’t read it yet.

 “Number one in a little while, it is time to put toys away so we can find them again.” When finished, state, “Number two we will check out our books.  “Number three we will have Mac and cheese at home, and blueberries, your favorite.” Here adults are helping make a transition from one great activity to another.  If transition is difficult for a time, no worries, this has been seen and personally experienced before by many others. 

photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website: Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube