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February 2022

Ready Readers is a quarterly publication of Menomonee Falls Collective Impact, a collaboration of community government, healthcare, and non-profit organizations that leverage local resources to better coordinate and expand services to improve the well being of residents in the Village of Menomonee Falls.


Exposure to reading at a young age is crucial for long-term success in school and beyond. With the growing number of young children in Menomonee Falls, the Menomonee Falls Collective Impact Early Literacy Team seeks to provide families with resources to support literacy and language development.

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Between our children's reading challenges, kid and family events, play areas and craft stations, and large collection of children's materials, you may already consider Menomonee Falls Public Library to be an important community resource for your family. But did you know that you can also access many parenting resources from the Library?


During your next Library visit, make sure to check out our book and audiovisual collections to find a variety of materials on parenting and child development. We have hundreds of items covering topics relevant to families at all stages, including resources on early literacy, potty training, Montessori education, homeschooling and curriculum planning, and at-home STEAM learning. Many of these resources (and even more!) are available to our cardholders in digital form through OverDrive, Flipster, and Hoopla. We also circulate parenting and education magazines.


With your library card, you also have access to many digital databases covering a wide range of topics. Two worth checking out are TeachingBooks and NoveList K-8. With these databases, you can find book suggestions, book lists, and lesson plans for your little one.


No matter where you are in your parenting journey, Menomonee Falls Public Library has materials to assist you along the way. Please don't hesitate to ask our staff for help locating and accessing our many parenting resources. We're here to help!

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Boost your baby's brain development and pick up a free Brain Bag at the Menomonee Falls Library.


Brain Bags are filled with literacy resources to help support your infant's brain development! Created by the Menomonee Falls Collective Impact Early Literacy Committee, Brain Bags offer great tools for children ages birth to three years old.

Focus on the Falls host, John Mercure talks with SDMF leaders about the SDMF Early Literacy Initiative. Learn why third-grade proficiency in literacy is a critical predictor for student success in school and beyond.

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Tips for Reading to your Child: 


  • Make it part of your daily routine. Before bed/naptime, after a mealtime, or any other time of day are great times to read. Building reading into your daily routine provides a predictable and enjoyable time for caregivers and children to bond with one another.  
  • Lay on the floor with them or hold them in your lap while you read. Don't worry if they are rolling around or moving while you are reading. They are still listening.
  • Keep reading while they are crawling or moving around. Listening to books is a great skill to help them develop. 
  • Don't worry about finishing the book. It's ok to stop reading if your child has completely lost interest. Reading with your child should be a fun and positive experience.
  • Take your books somewhere new. Sometimes taking books to the park or reading in a different location can make storytime new and exciting!
  • Give kids a choice and mix in new and familiar books. Kids love to pick the books that you will read to them. It's ok to read their favorite books over and over and over again. It can also be exciting to mix in a new book from the Library or bookstore. 
  • Use fun voices or puppets. 
  • Talk with your child. Before reading, talk about the title and cover. During reading, talk about what's happening in the story and notice the illustrations. After reading, talk about favorite parts of the story or favorite characters. Show your child how to wonder about what might happen next, or be excited about what's happened in the story.



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Teachers are part of one of the largest professions in the country, with more than 3.1 million teachers across the United States. In the Educator Academy at MFHS, their goal is to reach those who have future aspirations in education. Although teachers are what people first think of when they hear the word educators, there are many more aspects to what a career in education can mean. The Menomonee Falls High School Educator Academy was developed to help promote careers in education and encourage students to explore the different paths a degree in education can lead them. Who better than to ask aspiring teachers what their favorite children's books are. Below is a list of 10 books that made some of their lists:


  • 50 Below Zero
  • Frog and Toad
  • Fancy Nancy
  • Pinkalicious
  • Horton Hatches the Egg
  • Angelina Ballerina
  • Peterriffic
  • Bad Case of Stripes
  • I Love You Stinky Face
  • Green Eggs and Ham


COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

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Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, five times more common than asthma? Nearly one in six children have untreated tooth decay. At Community Smiles Dental, our mission is to improve the dental health of uninsured and state-insured individuals through preventive services, treatment, education, and advocacy. Our vision is to create a healthier community by improving oral health and ensuring that no one suffers from dental pain.


Annually, Community Smiles Dental serves more than 6,000 patients at our two clinics in Menomonee Falls and Waukesha. In addition to the clinical work we do, we also offer programs for pregnant moms, individuals with special needs, and care for underinsured or uninsured adults.


We know that the earlier children learn about oral healthcare, the healthier they are and the healthier our community is as a whole. Even before a child has their first tooth, you can begin healthy oral care habits.


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OUR TIPS: ORAL HEALTH FOR BABIES

●    Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth. 

●    After baby nurses/bottle feeds before bed or throughout the night, it is recommended to brush/wipe baby's teeth with a washcloth. 

●    Begin introducing a sippy cup of water around six months old; only water is recommended in a sippy cup. 

●    As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. A baby’s front four teeth usually push through the gums at about six months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12-14 months. 

●    Your child’s first dental visit should take place after that first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday.

●    After 12 months milk is recommended at mealtimes only (water in between meals if he/she is thirsty). Juice/soda is not recommended.


To learn more about Community Smiles Dental, if you might qualify for our services, and how to get involved, visit our website at www.communitysmiles.org. 


Visit Community Smiles Website
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