November: National Family Literacy Month

Summary

Developing literacy skills begins early - as early as birth - and the experiences and exposure during a child's first three years should be linked to stories (spoken and read), books and interactions. National Family Literacy Month, recognized during November, is a great opportunity to enhance existing early literacy activities and introduce new opportunities. 

The fire of literacy is created by the sparks between a child, a book, and the person reading Mem Fox, author

Local Resources

• Dolly Parton Imagination Library - "Now available everywhere in Douglas County! Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program providing free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities, including Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora, and Lecompton. If you have a Douglas County zip code, your child is eligible!" - Success By Six website
• Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month - "It’s Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Month! We’re bringing you special stories and a Downtown Story Stroll to highlight the importance of reading to your kiddos. This year we’re reading Not a Box by Antoinette Portis." - Lawrence Public Library website
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten - "Embark on a journey through the pages of 1,000 books! The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages families to explore the world of books, get prizes, grow as readers, and have fun together. The library is here to cheer you on and connect you and your baby, toddler, or preschooler with books perfect for laughs, snuggles, and building literacy skills." - Lawrence Public Library website
• Sign Up For A Library Card - Empower your child to take charge of their reading journey! All children receive a free book when applying for a new library card.
• Lawrence Public Library Storytimes - Join as a family for one of the many storytime events: Sing and Rhyme (all ages), Books and Babies (birth to 23 months), Toddler Storytime, Library Storytime (ages 3+), Spanish Storytime (all ages) and Multicultural Storytime (all ages).
• Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund - Parent resources to promote good reading habits.

Family Activity Ideas

Participate in a family challenge during November. See how many acivities you can complete this month:

• Visit the library together
• Read a book about changing seasons
• Take a nature walk with a stuffed animal and tell a story about their adventure when you get home
• Send a letter to someone special (this may involve writing, drawing or scribbles)
• Find a Little Free Library in town - borrow a book and leave a book
• Read a book together that has been made into a movie and then watch it together
• Explore a different style of book format: audiobook, graphic novel, nonfiction
• Make bookmarks
• Create a short story together - write down your child's words and then let them draw the pictures
• Read rhyming books - emphasize the words that rhyme with an action, such as clapping or stomping

Additional Resources

• Zero To Three - Early Literacy
• Fall Reading Challenge printable
• Fall Family Library Challenge printable