Zero to Three, a national nonprofit organization aimed at improving the lives of children from birth to age three, has an online article about helping young children develop an interest in literacy.  Although the title sounds similar to my last blog post,  the Zero to Three article focuses more on helping your child enjoy literacy.  It lists a few easy tips such as making sure the child can see the pictures, talking to your child, and encouraging your child to interact with books (even if it means he or she spends the time eating them.  Please don’t let them eat library books though!).  My favorite tip is creating a book with your child.  I still have stories I created as a child on my bookshelf.  They make great keepsakes.  The article also reminds parents that children who feel pushed to read may develop negative attitudes towards literacy so be sure to make the experience enjoyable!

Family Connect (a website dedicated to helping parents of children with visual impairments) published an interesting article about helping all children develop early literacy skills.   The article focuses on showing and explaining to children examples of written communication.  One easy example is to explain why you are looking at the grocery list and then the aisle signs to your child.  It could be simple, “We look at the list, then the sign,” or as complex “I’m looking at the list to see what we need.  It looks like we need potatoes.  Now I’m going to read the signs to find out which aisle the potatoes are in,” as you’d like it to be. Early literacy exposure is an essential component to children’s reading development.  So check out this article to find out easy ways to help your child’s language development.

Hello, my name is Andrew (you can call me Andy) Miller.  I am the new Library Assistant in the Youth Services department.

A little bit about me, I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education (minor in K-8 Social Studies) from the University of Northern Iowa and completed a Reading Endorsement this past summer through the University of Iowa.  I have been working in the Davenport school system the past year and a half as an Academic Interventionist.  My other experiences working with children include a child care center, substitute teaching, and as a summer camp counselor.

At the library, I will be doing the Tummy Time program, Tuesday morning story time, and providing information and assisting patrons from the youth services desk. The Tummy Time blog will also be updated by me.  I am really excited to be a part of the Bettendorf Library and looking forward to meeting (or seeing again those I have met) at our upcoming events.

We are ready to welcome our young patrons back  after a brief break from Tummy Times. The next sessions are scheduled for Monday, September 26 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

We’ll have plenty to keep us busy as we explore stories, songs, rhymes and more geared toward the birth -36 month age child.

No registration is required – just follow the trail to the Junior League Program Room! For more information contact Youth Services at 344-4178.