Mellisa Hannum
Children's Early Literacy Program
INFO 269-10: Early Childhood Literacy
Professor Beth Wrenn-Estes
San Jose State University
November 22, 2021
Children's Early Literacy Program
INFO 269-10: Early Childhood Literacy
Professor Beth Wrenn-Estes
San Jose State University
November 22, 2021
Programs
Weekly Programs
January through December with summer and holiday breaks
January through December
June
January through December with summer and holiday breaks
- Baby Storytime
- Book Boogie Storytime
- Stay & Play
January through December
- Pajama Storytime
- Early Literacy & Coding with KIBO Robots
- Early Literacy Crafts
June
- Lunch at the Library
- NorCal Bats
- Conservation Ambassadors
- Lunch at the Library
- Random Acts of Science
- Penney the Clown Teaches Face Painting
- Lunch at the Library
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Why Storytimes?
Storytimes are a great way to introduce children to the five components of early literacy which include phonological awareness, print conventions and awareness, letter knowledge, vocabulary, and background knowledge (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013). Plus, they are a foundational part of children's libraries, an expected program but also a fantastic opportunity to have fun while talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing (Ghoting & Martin-Díaz, 2013). Storytimes offered at the library include Baby Storytime for infants zero to walking, Book Boogie Storytime for active toddlers and preschoolers who need a lot of movement and change during their program, and Pajama Storytime for ages zero to seven that offers a gentle wind-down from the day and a bedtime story. A storytime is also offered during part of the Stay & Play program.
Why Stay & Play?
Stay & Play is a program that benefits children with early literacy activities while teaching their caregivers how to continue early literacy at home. Library staff model how to use play to aid with early literacy and create a welcoming, flexible environment for free play and interaction for an extended period of time, allowing caregivers to connect with other adults as well as be trained on early literacy practices. Modeling with reading and storytimes is also offered, showing caregivers how books can be used in a variety of ways to create engagement and a love of reading. Stay & Play is discussed as a training opportunity in more detail on the training page.
Why Early Literacy?
IFLA's (2003) definition of literacy includes reading, writing, and numeracy skills. In fact, the IFLA guidelines state that "literacy is the key to education and knowledge and to the use of library and information service" (IFLA, 2003, p. 3). Ghoting and Martin-Díaz, P. (2013) state that children who acquire a strong early literacy foundation through talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing will be more ready to read. Starting school with a good literacy foundation can lead to greater success. Early literacy programs include the library's storytimes, Stay & Play, Early Literacy and Coding with KIBO Robots, and Early Literacy Crafts.
KIBO robots are made from wood and plastic that can be assembled and then coded to do activities by scanning different blocks in a sequence. Intended for children four to eight, they can help with early literacy skills by showing children they can be creative with technology while providing timely feedback on whether or not their coding sequence was successful.
Early Literacy Crafts focus on creations that children and caregivers can create together. Activities such as dying dry rice with food coloring to create an activity tray where letters of the alphabet can be traced with a finger, utilizing both fine and gross motor skills, or making playdough from scratch to make a manipulative that is fun for play as well as exercising the muscles of the fingers and hands.
KIBO robots are made from wood and plastic that can be assembled and then coded to do activities by scanning different blocks in a sequence. Intended for children four to eight, they can help with early literacy skills by showing children they can be creative with technology while providing timely feedback on whether or not their coding sequence was successful.
Early Literacy Crafts focus on creations that children and caregivers can create together. Activities such as dying dry rice with food coloring to create an activity tray where letters of the alphabet can be traced with a finger, utilizing both fine and gross motor skills, or making playdough from scratch to make a manipulative that is fun for play as well as exercising the muscles of the fingers and hands.
Why STEAM?
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math—these are the foundations of STEAM programming. According to The Joan Ganz Cooney Center (2017), "high-quality early STEM experiences can support children’s growth across areas as diverse as executive function and literacy development" (p. 4). The focus on early science, technology, engineering, art, and math ranges from ages zero to eight. These formative years are important. "STEM support should start early: children in disadvantaged circumstances, especially, start school lacking the foundation for that success" (The Joan Ganz Cooney Center, 2017, p. 11). STEAM programming includes Early Literacy and Coding with KIBO Robots, NorCal Bats, Conservation Ambassadors, Random Acts of Science, and Penney the Clown Teaches Face Painting.
Why Access to Food?
"The Lunch at the Library program provides children and teens with meals, summer reading programs, and other activities that support learning, health, and wellness. It also brings new families to the library where staff can connect adult family members with essential resources and services" (California State Library, 2020). Teaching early literacy skills can only go so far when a child is focused on a rumbling belly instead of the library's programming. As Neuberger (2012) states, it is hard to learn when one is hungry. By addressing food insecurity through snacks during Stay & Play and meals during the summer, the library is helping to create a safe space where children—and their grown-ups—can be nourished in both body and mind.
References
California State Library. (2020). Lunch at the library. https://www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/development-programs-projects/lunch/
Ghoting, S. N., & Martin-Díaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!: Developing young children's language and literacy. ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
IFLA Repository. (2003, April 1). Guidelines for library-based literacy programs. https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/712
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center. (2017). STEM starts early: Grounding science, technology, engineering, and math education in early childhood. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop New America. https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jgcc_stemstartsearly_final.pdf
Neuberger, Z. (2012, September 6). It's hard to learn when you're hungry. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/blog/its-hard-to-learn-when-youre-hungry
Ghoting, S. N., & Martin-Díaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for everyone!: Developing young children's language and literacy. ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association.
IFLA Repository. (2003, April 1). Guidelines for library-based literacy programs. https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/712
The Joan Ganz Cooney Center. (2017). STEM starts early: Grounding science, technology, engineering, and math education in early childhood. The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop New America. https://joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/jgcc_stemstartsearly_final.pdf
Neuberger, Z. (2012, September 6). It's hard to learn when you're hungry. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/blog/its-hard-to-learn-when-youre-hungry