A free library program helps youngsters prepare to embark on their education adventure.
The South Interlake Regional Library has updated its program called “Ready for Kindergarten: An Early Learning Program with the Library” to serve some of its youngest patrons.
Through this program, which runs from February to May, families can pick up monthly kits for self-led learning.
Joan Ransom, Stonewall branch librarian, said participating preschool children will benefit from increased literacy and love of reading. By working on specific activities, they can also develop skills that they’ll use when they start school.
“We are so happy to offer this four-month, four-kit, four-skills self-led program to registered families in our catchment area,” she said.
“We collected feedback from past years’ participating families and have added new activities and manipulatives to the kits. We are so excited to welcome new participants this year.”
The kits include tools for wee ones to learn scissor and cutting skills, as well as pre-writing and printing skills, colour and shape awareness, number recognition and numeracy knowledge.
“Some of the tools we include are child-safe scissors, tri-sided pencils to help with proper grip, a pair of dice and a set of 20 unifix cubes for math work, and a tub of playfoam for shape and colour play,” Ransom said.
“Each month, we sign out bundle of 10 picture books to each participant. We encourage families to read together to help children develop reading readiness skills as we know that pre-reading concepts are important steps in learning to read.”
These pre-reading concepts include phonological awareness, which involves the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words. Participants will also work on vocabulary to know the meaning of words and the names of things, feelings and ideas. They will gain print awareness, knowing that print has meaning and direction while also learning how to hold a book. They’ll also build letter knowledge to understand that letters have names and represent sounds.
“Through reading, talking, playing, singing and writing together with their child, parents and caregivers can help foster a love of literacy and work on the skills that children need to become lifelong readers,” Ransom said.
“Of course, families are not limited to 10 books each month. All are welcome to come to the library multiple times each month to choose even more books to take home to read.”
The participating families can also look forward to a “graduation” party when the program wraps up in May.
“Our previous families had so much fun practising skills together,” Ransom said. “We welcome all patrons with preschool kids to register and join in the fun.”
Families can register by calling or emailing the Stonewall library branch at 204-467-8415 stonewall@sirlibrary.com or the Teulon library branch at 204-886-3648 teulon@sirlibrary.com.
“There is no charge for the program but you must have a library card. If you do not, we would be happy to make you one,” Ransom said.
“Library memberships are free to anyone who lives or pays taxes in the RM of Rosser, RM of Rockwood, Town of Stonewall and Town of Teulon. If you live outside of our catchment area, then a non-resident membership is available for an annual fee.”
Learn more about what the local libraries have to offer by visiting www.sirlibrary.com or following the branches on social media.
