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Early Literacy Initiative - What libraries can do - Atmosphere/environment
What libraries can do
 
     - Early Literacy materials/collections
     - Atmosphere/children's environments
 
            Jump to Steps you can take
            Jump to Further ideas/resources
 
     - Programming
     - Training and staff development
 

Atmosphere/children's environments
 
You can also download this list as a handy checklist in a Microsoft Word document or a PDF document.
 

Steps you can take
 
INPUT: Atmosphere/Children's Environments
To ensure that all libraries have high quality and adequate quantity of materials that support early literacy…
 
 
First Steps Next Steps Giant Steps
Greet children with a smile
 
Welcome parents and caregivers who come into the library with babies
 
Create a child-friendly and attractive area for kids
 
Offer play things: stuffed animals, puzzles, doll houses, puppets, pillows, and carpeted spots for children to sit
 
Post “staff picks of the week” to feature titles of interest to young children
Have child-sized furniture and parent/child furniture
 
Offer a family bathroom with diaper changing facilities
 
Provide interactive activities at the child’s eye level (like a magnet board with letters or busy beads)
 
Have a puppet theatre for dramatic play or a box for imaginary play
 
Visit another library, children’s museum, or accredited child care for inspiration
Create a writing area and materials for children; display their work
 
Create an Early Literacy Committee composed of staff to inspire and motivate staff to incorporate the latest research into their storytimes
 
VISION: All children ready to learn to read when they begin kindergarten.
 

Further ideas/resources
Looking for more ideas on how to improve your library's atmosphere and children's area?  Check out some of these additional resources:



Early Literacy table of contents

• Early Literacy home
• About the Initiative
• Why Early Literacy?
What libraries can do
• What libraries are doing
• How to obtain funding
• Additional resources
• What's next?
• Contact us
 
Page updated: July 24, 2007

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