Librarians can stay relevant in the twenty-first century when they build on those areas where they have excelled. Service to children is one of those, and a hot topic is emergent literacy, the earliest phases of literacy development. Because parents are a child's first teacher, they need to understand that children who enter school with a larger vocabulary are more likely to succeed in school and that they can offer experiences for their pre-school children to prepare them for school. This book provides six sessions for a children's librarian to use to introduce literacy skills to parents of preschool children. These sessions teach parents how to give their child an opportunity to explore and experience new things. Designed to be conducted in two simultaneous units, one for parents and one for children, handouts and activities are included. These are especially helpful for helping parents who will be able to make most of the teaching devices rather than purchasing expensive commercial items.The hot topic for children's librarians building their pre-school programming is emergent literacy, the earliest phases of literacy development. A brief introduction to the research in emergent literacy and some examples of successful programs are given.Because parents are a child's first teacher, they need to understand that children who enter school with a larger vocabulary are more likely to succeed in school and that they can offer experiences for their pre-school children to prepare them for school. This book provides six sessions for a children's library to use to introduce literacy skills to parents of preschool children. These sessions teach parents how to give their child an opportunity to explore and experience new things. Designed to be conducted in two simultaneous units, one for parents and one for children, handouts and activities are included. These are especially helpful for parents who will be able to make the most of the teaching devices rather than purchasing expensive commercial items.This would be especially helpful as a training manual for solo children's librarians who must use volunteers to conduct the children's workshop.

Basic approach to programming for parents who want their children to be ready to read when they enter school.

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Libraries and Early Literacy: A BackgroundChapter 2: Introduction to the WorkshopsChapter 3: Print Motivation: First Session Adult WorkshopChapter 4: Print Motivation: First Session Children's WorkshopChapter 5: Print Awareness: Second Session Adult WorkshopChapter 6: Print Awareness: Second Session Children's WorkshopChapter 7: Letter Knowledge: Third Session Children's WorkshopChapter 8: Letter Knowledge: Third Session Children's WorkshopChapter 9: Vocabulary: Fourth Session Adult WorkshopChapter 10: Vocabulary: Fourth Session Children's WorkshopChapter 11: Narrative Skills: Fifth Session Adult WorkshopChapter 12: Narrative Skills: Fifth Session Children's WorkshopChapter 13: Phonologoical Awareness: Sixth Session Adult WorkshopChapter 14: Phonological Awareness: Sixth Session Children's WorkshopAppendixesIndex