- Young children have short attention spans. Ready to Read activities can be done for short bits of time throughout the day.
- You can help your child learn in ways and at times that are easiest for them. Do they like to read before taking a nap or going to bed at night? Do they like to sing a song in the morning before eating breakfast? Taking into consideration a child's behavior and daily patterns will make these fun activities for both of you.
- Parents are tremendous role models and if your child sees that you think reading is important, they will want to follow your lead and do what you do!
- Children learn best by doing and they love doing things with the people who love them the most! You!
In addition to this blog, try these links for additional resources, guides and information on helping your child develop early literacy skills.
Association for Library Service to Children/American Library Association
Center for Early Literacy Learning Resources for Parents
Get Ready to Read Parent Resources
Illinois Early Learning Project from the IL State Board of Education
IllinoisParents.org Resources for Early Literacy
PBS Parents Reading Resources and Games for Kids
Play Resources for Parents from the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Reading Rockets Early Literacy Development Resources
ReadWriteThink From the International Reading Association
ReadyWeb from the University of Illinois College of Education Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative
US Department of Education Reading Resources for Parents
Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
Are you looking for more rhymes and songs? These websites have been helpful to us in gathering the information we share on our blog.
BusSongs: A website devoted to children's songs and nursery rhymes. Links to meanings and histories of songs and rhymes.
Cullens ABC's: A YouTube channel with fun actvities and songs to view at home.
Embracing Diversity: Sharing Our Songs and Rhymes (Burnaby Public Library in Burnaby, BC-Canada)
Extensive information, including songs, rhymes and video, to help you and your child inspire sharing across cultures. Rhymes and songs provided in 15 languages.
Enchanted Learning: A website providing K-12 educational materials including rhymes, songs and crafts.
Gayle's Preschool Rainbow: Preschool learning activities, themes and ideas that enrich year round early childhood curriculum.
King County Library System (Washington State): Hundreds of children's videos, rhymes, and songs carefully selected by youth librarians.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Kids Pages: Provides song lyrics and music clips on childrens' songs, coloring pages, games and more.
Songs for Teaching: Offers a large list of educational music to listen to and view lyrics. Music is available for purchase and the site offers printable lyrics.
Storytime Syngery: A blog created by two librarians to share ideas about Every Child Ready to Read programs.
Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® is a program of the Association for Library Service to Children and Public Library Association, divisions of the American Library Association. Every Child Ready to Read® @ your library® is a registered trademark and is used with permission.
