December 2016
 
Welcome to KDL's early literacy newsletter!

Click on the links below for fun early literacy activities 
that help kids get ready to read.

View and print our 2016 and 2017 Early Literacy Calendars.
See the schedule of  programs for families and young children and storytimes.
Find the KDL branch nearest you.
Early Literacy Practice: Talking 
 
As you get your child ready to go outside this winter, talk through each item of winter clothing they have on and what body parts it will keep warm. For example "these are your mittens, I'm putting them on so they keep your hands and fingers warm when it's cold outside." See if your child can help you remember what else they need to put on. Read The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel for a fun story that reinforces your conversations about winter attire.  You could also play winter clothing I Spy and look for different people wearing scarves, boots, etc. in various colors.
 
 
 
  

Early Literacy Practice: Writing 

Learn about numbers and sharing in this fun book by Laura Gehl. It all starts with TWO brown bears and ONE big pair underwear that neither wants to share. What follows is a fun way to learn about numbers through the power of sharing. Easy rhymes make One Big Pair of Underwear a great book for beginning readers as well.
 
 
Get your child ready to hold a pencil and form letters with this easy activity from Discover Explore Learn. Letter tracing is a great way to get your child to recognize and form the letters in the alphabet. The cotton swab and paint allows your child to easily trace the letters and build the hand muscles necessary to write before they're ready for a pencil. 
 
Early Literacy Practice: Reading

   
 
As snow starts to fall, five excited penguins go searching for scarves, mittens, heavy socks and boots so they can play in the snow. When it's time to go outside, one timid penguin wants to stay home. A simple story with wonderful illustrations.
 
Early Literacy Practice: Playing  
 
Children learn through play, so have fun with an indoor snowball toss. Use a large piece of cardboard or poster board to draw a big snowman face or pine tree. Have children help color. Cut out eyes and mouth for snowman or random holes in tree. Crumple up paper and toss away!
 
Stop into a KDL branch and enjoy The Snowman and the Snowdog story by Hilary Audus.
 
 
  
Early Literacy Practice: Singing   
 
Singing and sharing the story Frosty the Snowman with your favorite little ones will have you reliving the magic, the sparkle and the spirit of the winter season before you can say "snow!"
 


 
While you're in the mood for once-a-year classic Christmas songs, grab a Kidz Bop Christmas CD! You'll be rockin' around, having a holly jolly good time while you deck the halls with the merriest of melodies.