Early Learning with Kidappolis!

In this blog post, Oakland Public Library's Pat Toney recommends literacy tips and community resources (including kidappolis!) for early learning. 
​Read the original article here :  http://oaklandlibrary.org/blogs/childrens-services/focus-early-learning

---

When I went to library school in 2008, I knew I wanted to be a Children’s Librarian because I wanted to share the joy of reading. As my career develops my focus on early learning and parent engagement is clear, thus I was super excited to hear Pamela Paul’s recent interview on KQED Forum discussing her new book, co-written with her colleague Maria Russo, "How to Raise a Reader." Pamela shares family literacy tips on creating read-aloud routines, "championing genre fiction" and nurturing a love of books in kids of all age.

---

---

My favorite five family literacy tips for raising a reader:

• You are your child's first teacher- model behavior you want them to develop (as indicated in the image above)
• Never treat reading like a chore
• Read to your baby, your toddler, your tween, your teen
• All reading matters...including comic books
• Always carry a book when you know you'll be waiting e.g. supermarket, doctor's appointment, restaurants

 FREE community resources you can access that promote early learning include:

• Attending storytime and/or Play Café at OPL
• OFCY hosts PreK Playgroups Monday - Friday across Oakland

---

In my role as an outreach librarian, I present storytime once a month at the rec centers noted above.

---

• The OUSD Play Group near Grand Lake Theater is a great option Friday mornings (before Oakland libraries open).
• Fridays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm -  September 27 - December 13, 2019
  Lakeview Campus Portable A, 746 Grand Avenue Oakland, CA 94610
• VROOM provides learning tips via text you can share with your young child (ren). Available in English or Español
• Kidappolis by LitLab is a mobile app that encourages parents to use screen time as an interactive early learning opportunity. Try “Kidappolis: School Edition” for FREE using the code “demo”
• Help Me Grow is a resource network which collaborates with agencies, families, and providers across Alameda County to help ensure children ages birth – 5 years reach their optimal development. If you have concerns about your child’s developmental milestones, give them a call 888 - 510 - 1211. Their staff is multilingual.