Hi there everyone! It’s Miss Jeanna, the Early Literacy Librarian at Lindenhurst Memorial Library. I know that during this trying time, it is so difficult to ensure your children are getting everything they need. If you are the parent of a young child that is not yet in school and is not on a remote learning track, it can be hard to come up with ways to keep your little one entertained and educated.
At the library I typically work with babies, toddlers, and early learners who are not yet in school. I’m also the mother of a soon-to-be three-year-old. For anyone else in a similar boat as I am, you may be feeling the strain of trying to keep your little one occupied while still feeling like they are benefiting.
For this reason, I’ve compiled some wonderful online resources for parents of very young children to use to help keep everyone smart, happy, and healthy during this time!
Reading Rockets focuses on the early literacy needs of young readers. Parents and caregivers can find classroom teaching strategies, booklists, STEM literacy, phonics help, and much more. In addition, the website offers a “Fun Stuff” section that includes free printables and adventure packs.
https://www.readingrockets.org
With the International Children’s Digital Library, you can find thousands of free digital books online in dozens of languages. Books can be broken down by age level, starting as young as three to five years old and up until thirteen.
http://en.childrenslibrary.org
Enjoy early literacy games, literacy checklists, and tips for parents. Get Ready to Read is dedicated to the development of early literacy skills. Parents and caregivers can find free kindergarten readiness tests as well as resources for specific areas identified by the test.
Little ones can indulge in dozens of learning games that feature letter recognition, phonics, read-alongs, sing-alongs, and much more.
All you need is your library card to access hundreds of free eBooks and audiobooks for your child. Search by recommendations, popular titles, topics, and more. You can even find kids crafting and cooking books for even more at home activity ideas.
https://livebrary.overdrive.com/library/kids
Similar to Libby, Tumblebooks gives you access to free eBooks using just your library card. Early literacy resources are broken down by Storybooks and Readalongs, and can be broken down even further into New Books, Award Winners, Alphabet & Reading, and much more.
I hope this list helps keep you and your little one reading, playing, and learning! Check out our easy infographic below to help you remember all the free resources available for your early learner.
https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring
Caring for Each Other
Your friends on Sesame Street are here to support you during the COVID-19 health crisis, as families everywhere are creating a “for now normal.” Children thrive with structure in their lives, and they learn best through play—even in everyday moments. So this site is filled with content you can use all day long to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and focus a bit on yourself, too. After all, it’s important that we take care of ourselves, so that we can best care for our families.
Parenting Tips Podcast
“Parenting Tips” provides current research-based information from Cornell University and other American land grant institutions. In today’s world, parenting is rewarding as well as challenging. “Parenting Tips” supports parents and other caregivers by translating timely child development research into practical and helpful information to support family health and wellness.
DaybyDayNY is a website for young children and their families.
Libraries are essential to Family Literacy. Libraries educate the whole family by providing computer and internet access, materials such as books and music, access to health information, and interaction with staff that are skilled in programming to engage young children to learn.