Early Childhood Literacy

Studies show that 90% of brain growth occurs by age 5. Stimuli such as reading aloud, talking, singing, painting and drawing are all helpful in brain development. Reading aloud helps stimulate brain cell growth and increase a child’s vocabulary. It builds language awareness and listening skills and helps improve memory. Reading aloud introduces concepts such as shapes, colors, and letters in a fun way and promotes bonding and closeness between parent and child. Reading aloud to children provides awareness and information about the world around them and instills a lifelong love of books and learning. Reading aloud to children also helps bridge the gap between learning to read and reading to learn, a crucial step in the ability to succeed in school.

This page is designed to provide parents, grandparents and care providers with tools they need to help children develop their literacy skills. We encourage you to check out the links provided to help you get started on the road to your child’s literacy success. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our librarians at 964-2020.

Early Literacy Helpful Links

1000 Books Before Kindergarten:  Reading aloud to children helps bridge the gap between learning to read and reading to learn, a crucial step in the ability to succeed in school. The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your precious one starts kindergarten.

Day to Day Early Literacy Calendar:  Sonoma County Library provides an excellent Day to Day Calendar full of helpful hints on what to do daily to increase your child’s literacy.

Read Aloud 15:  Highlights the importance of reading to children. Every child. Every parent. Every day.

First 5 Mendocino:  A great community resource for everything to do with the first 5 years of your child’s development.

Every Child Ready to Read:  Incorporates simple practices, based on research, to help parents and other caregivers develop early literacy skills in children from birth to age five.

Imagination Library:  Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a fantastic program that partners with local agencies to mail free books to children from birth to age 5. Books are available to children in Mendocino County in English and Spanish.

Summer Reading:

Why Summer Reading? 

Studies have shown that Summer Reading for Kids & Teens:

  • Advances literacy and academic performance by engaging children and teens in reading and reading-related activities during the summer months.
  • Fosters a love of reading through library programs and services.
  • Increases successful reading experiences through librarian-supported, self-selected, voluntary reading.
  • Involves parents and all family members in the library summer reading experience.
  • Improves children’s access to library materials and activities, which will encourage them to become lifelong readers and library users.
  • It’s fun and you can win prizes!

Reading Lists:

Links to other sites with excellent Early Literacy Tips: 

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