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How can I make the most of taking my children to the library?
Home » Early Learning » Taking Children to the Library » How can I make the most of taking my children to the library?Posted by Your Guide on October 9, 2006 7:33 PM
It would be a shame for you to spend time taking your kids to the library and not get the most possible out of the experience. So here are some things you can do to make sure that your kids are truly profiting from time spent at the local library:
• Help your kids get a library card. As soon as they are old enough, help your children get a card of their own (all you'll need is identification demonstrating that you live in the area), and teach them to keep track of the card and the books they check out.
• Ask the librarian to help show your child around the kid's section and where their favorite subjects would be located as well as how to search on the computer for things (you can help them). Teach your kids to feel comfortable asking the library staff to help them.
• Take your children to the library at least once a week, and allow them to check out as many books as the library will allow and they wish (you can get them their own library tote bag to carry with them). Spend enough time at the library for them to look around and find things that they are interested in.
• Sign up your kids for extra programs the library offers, such as the summer reading program, a preschool reading club, etc. Take your kids to author visits, craft activities and other hands-on experiences.
• Discuss children's books with them. Talk to your kids about the books that they checked out and other books that they have read. Relate their stories to your family's experiences. Watch movie versions of any of the children's books they've read (Read a review first. It might not be as child-friendly as the book was.), and compare them.
• Make sure that the books they've borrowed are readily available so that they can read them whenever they have a chance and so that you can read with them. Consider getting a crate that is only for library books so that they can keep track of them, and provide them with quiet time during the day (perhaps just turn off the TV) in which they have opportunities to read.
• Make the reading experience fun by using various voices and a lot of enthusiasm. Also remember that comic books and other non-traditional resources are still wonderful things that will help them learn to read better.
• In addition to being a part of library programs, consider setting family goals that have prizes that will help motivate and reward the kids for their library/reading time.
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