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Resource of the Month

Resource of the Month – March

Mrs. Merry

 

This site is overflowing with ideas for crafts, learning games, and “build-your-own” type templates for kids, many of them free. Optional email sign up to be sent seasonal crafts as they are highlighted.

Featured Book of the Month

Book of the Month – March

The Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups
By Erika Christakis – J PAR 372.21 CHR

      “Christakis . . . expertly weaves academic research, personal experience, and anecdotal evidence into her book . . . a bracing and convincing case that early education has reached a point of crisis.” –Washington Post. “What kids need from grown-ups (but aren’t getting)…an impassioned plea for educators and parents to put down the worksheets and flash cards, ditch the tired craft projects (yes, you, Thanksgiving Handprint Turkey) and exotic vocabulary lessons, and double-down on one, simple word: play.”–NPR.org

Our anxiety about preparing and safeguarding our children’s future seems to have reached a fever pitch at a time when, ironically, science gives us more certainty than ever before that young children are exceptionally strong thinkers. In her path-breaking book, Christakis explains what it’s like to be a young child in America today, in a world designed by and for adults, where we have confused schooling with learning. She offers real-life solutions to real-life issues, with nuance and direction that takes us far beyond the usual prescriptions for fewer tests, more play. – From the catalog

The Newburgh Basics

The Newburgh Basics Campaign is inspired by the fact that 80% of brain development happens in the first three years of life… The Newburgh Basics are five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that encompass much of what experts find is important for children from birth to age three.”

1. Maximize Love, Manage Stress

2. Talk, Sing, and Point

3. Count, Group, and Compare

4. Explore Through Movement & Play

5. Read and Discuss Stories

“Every child from every background can benefit from routinely experiencing Newburgh Basics learning experiences.”

Get Ready to Read Pre-reading skills, or early literacy, can be developed from the time babies can begin to hold an object! Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teacher.

Babies can learn to recognize the beginning of a book (front cover), how to turn a page, and begin to distinguish images from words on a page using Board Books.

Teach your child how to hold a book and turn the pages.

Point to words and follow with your finger as you read aloud.

As a child gets older, expose them to different types of printed material (books, magazines, menus, packaging).

Teach the printed alphabet and numbers. “ABC/123 books” are a separate collection in the picture book section.

Once a child begins to recognize basic words, the “Easy Reader” collection is the place to look for books to begin to read. These books have a controlled vocabulary to allow beginning readers to build word sound skills and increase sight word recognition.

Most importantly for getting a young child ready to read is that you talk to them, to develop language skills, and read to and with them as much as possible. Young children model what the adults in the world around them are doing and appear to value. Make time for books and reading!

Pick Books for Me Service

Early Literacy Guide & Family Reading Day

Have fun with our guide on Early Literacy. Includes information, books, play ideas, crafts, videos, and more. Learn More

Instructions for the literacy activities and board games at Family Reading Day/Day of the Child:

Day of the Child 2023 final draft

Traditional Games from around the World

DayByDayNY

DaybyDayNY is a website for young children and their families. It is part of the New York State Library early literacy initiative Ready to Read at New York Libraries.

Interactive Calendar and Resources

This interactive calendar (https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/earlylit/resource-list.htm) includes activities for young children designed to foster school readiness, including art and craft ideas, fun and educational web sites, preschool health information, and links to online stories and e-books.

Free Children’s Books Online

This subject guide offers links to hundreds of e-books offered free. Most book sources do not require a library card to access. Includes text e-books, book videos, and audiobooks, plus selected booklists.

Click Here for Free Books

NYS Home School and Educational Resources

This subject guide contains many resources “to help adults support youth learning and help young scholars support themselves.”

Click Here for Resources

Local Information

There are some excellent and supportive organizations for parents, caregivers and children in Orange County.  The web links below have been chosen for their valuable services and  important parental  information  to the community in which the Library resides.  This list will be added to on an as needed basis in the future.  Any new suggestions for local Newburgh community organizations can be sent to the website section

Child Care Council of Orange County, Inc.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, NY

Hudson Valley Parent Magazine

Orange County Homeschoolers

Informal/inclusive group offering outings/activities for  members and their homeschooled children.

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