J Team Spotlight: Early Literacy

Research shows that children get ready to read years before they start school. You can help your baby and toddler learn important skills now so they can become good readers.

The Six Pre-Reading Skills your child can start learning from birth are:
Narrative skills (ability to describe events and tell stories)
Print motivation (being interested in books)
Vocabulary (knowing the names of things)
Phonological awareness (ability to hear and play with smaller sounds in words)
Letter knowledge (understanding letters are different and knowing/recognizing their sounds)
Print awareness (knowing how to handle a book, how to follow words on a page, noticing print)

For more information about Early Literacy, visit www.ala.org, website of the American Library Association.

Review of the Week:

Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea
Reading Level: 2yrs and up; less than 20p

With a bold typeface and gripping/versatile illustrations featuring paper, paint, and photo collage, this story expands into the mind of the main character, Dinosaur, and his hilarious fantasy of turning everyday tasks into a series of wrestling matches.

Here are a couple of Upcoming Programs, call to register today!:

American Girl Club - Little Sisters
For K-2nd graders. This is a hands-on book club that will bring the American Girl series to life. Registration for January-April begins December 17th. Info: 704-416-5000 option #2.
Date: Monday, 1/12/2009 at 4:00 PM
Age Range: Elementary School

American Girl Club - Big Sisters
For 3rd-5th graders. This is a hands-on book club that will bring the American Girl series to life. Registration for January-April begins December 17th. Info: 704-416-5000 option #2.
Date: Tuesday, 1/13/2009 at 4:00 PM
Age Range: Elementary School