News Release

In celebration of the Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, San Francisco Public Library will introduce Every Child Ready to Read, a new approach to providing early literacy resources and services to San Francisco’s youngest population. Every Child Ready to Read, a national project of the American Library Association, outlines six “early literacy” skills (see below) children need in order to be ready to learn to read, as well as activities parents and caregivers can do to support each of the skills. Early literacy refers to what children know about reading and writing before they actually know how to read and write.

The initiative will make more early childhood materials available at every library branch, provide enriched age-appropriate programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and offer specialized workshops for parents and childcare providers to foster literacy skills.

The Library currently offers lapsits, at which babies, toddlers and caregivers enjoy rollicking rhymes, delightful books and nurturing songs. During the Library’s preschool storytimes, children listen to enchanting stories, learn fun fingerplays and explore musical play with instruments. Librarians will integrate elements of the Every Child Ready to Read skill set into storytimes and lapsits to stimulate early literacy skills, and boost brain development and reading readiness. They will also teach caregivers how to employ these techniques every day.

Parents, caregivers, childcare providers and community organizations working with children, ages 0-5, will also be invited to free early literacy workshops. Participants will discover the vital tools essential to a child’s success in reading, as well as practical applications for implementation.

For more information about Every Child Ready to Read, or to schedule a workshop, contact Christy Burgess, Early Literacy Specialist, at (415) 557-4218.

Six Early Literacy Skills Your Child Can Start Learning from Birth

1. Print Motivation – Being interested in and enjoying books.
   Tip: Visit the library and check out books to share at home.
   
   
2. Phonological Awareness – Being able to hear and play with phonemes, the smaller sounds in words.
   Tip: Sing songs and chant nursery rhymes to help children play with the smaller sounds in words.
   
   
3. Vocabulary – Knowing the names of things.
   Tip: Talk to children about what is going on and teach children the specific names of things, such as the vegetables at the grocery store.
   
   
4. Print Awareness – Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and how to follow written words on a page.
   Tip: Read aloud every day! Read road signs, menus and printed labels.
   
   
5. Letter Knowledge – Knowing letters are different from each other, knowing their names and sounds and recognizing letters everywhere.
   Tip: Point out letters on toys, food boxes and other objects around the house.
   
   
6. Narrative Skills – Being able to describe things and events and tell stories.
   Tip: Tell stories together, encourage pretend play and read favorite stories again and again.