Resources

Resource of the Month – June:

What Do We Do All Day?

This website is a treasure trove of screen-free ideas for learning, playing, and engaging with family members in fun, enriching ways. Especially recommended: the extensive book lists and “instant” board games from around the world.

From the website: “You want your kids to thrive. You aspire for them to be voracious readers, creative and independent thinkers, to engage in the world without plugging in a device. You wish you could find simple solutions to make it all happen…You long for peaceful family time to connect with your kids without giving up the dream that they will entertain themselves independently…I believe that simple unplugged learning activities like games and reading aloud will grow your kids into intelligent, curious, and connected members of your family.”

“Imagine that whether you want to do an activity with your kids, or whether you just want them to play by themselves, you will know exactly what to do….If you are ready to see your kids thrive at home and at school, the What Do We Do All Day community can help. You will get special (and easy!) unplugged ways to connect with your kids through reading, playing, and learning activities.”

NOTE: The Parenting books have moved to the shelves along the windows in the children’s non-fiction area (where Easy Readers used to be.) Please ask for assistance if you cannot find an item.

Recommended Book of the Month – June:

A Year of Playing Skillfully
Newburgh Free Library – Parenting
J PAR 371 EGG

From the website: “A Year of Playing Skillfully is a wonder based, developmental school-year curriculum designed for children ages 3-7. Concrete themes and character traits have been carefully chosen for children to explore. Research-based learning opportunities address the needs of the developing brain in the following areas: Language and Literacy, Math and Manipulatives, Science and Sensory, Art and Music, Gross Motor and Outdoor Play, and Social-Emotional and Home Life.”

You do not have to do all the activities to have a lot of fun with the hands-on learning games, crafts, and activities in this book. Choose whatever looks fun and exciting for your littles!

“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

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 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.

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.

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

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

Click Here for Resources

10 Ways to Read Picture Books and 10 More Ways to Read Picture Books. Or try the video “Ten Ways to Teach a Child Using Practically Anything…in this Case, a Rubber Duck.” For more videos see our Virtual Programs Guide.

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.