We are finishing up the concept of rhyming and wordplay this week. Children who can hear and play with the sounds in words are more likely to become successful readers. Being able to hear how words rhyme can help children hear the sounds in words. All of these activities help your child develop good listening skills, which is crucial to learning to read. Come join us for storytime next week when we will read stories about manners, friendship and kindness. EEscuder

Rhyming and Wordplay

This week our Ready To Learn Storytime concept is rhyming and wordplay. We will be reading some rhyming books about things that go together like peanut butter and jelly. The idea is to have fun listening to and playing with the sounds of language. Our focus is on phonological awareness…the ability to break words down into parts. This early literacy skill is an important skill for learning to read. By reading rhyming books and sharing rhymes with your child, you help your child hear parts of words. Breaking words into smaller parts is a great tool for later when your child begins sounding out words when reading.

Ready to Learn Storytime at the Catawba County Libraries

The Ready to Learn program is based on the following beliefs: • Children need to develop certain skills before they can learn to read. • Parents and other significant caregivers are a child’s first and best teachers. They can help children develop early literacy skills so that they are ready to learn to read once they begin school. • During the Ready to Learn Storytime, library staff will provide parents and caregivers with strategies they can use to help children in the early years develop essential early literacy skills and get ready to read. Ready To Learn Storytime Schedule Newton • Tuesday 5 p.m. • Wednesday 10 a.m. • Thursday 10 a.m. Maiden • Thursday 9:30 a.m. (toddlers) • Thursday 10 a.m. Sherrills Ford • Wednesday 10 a.m. • Thursday 10 a.m. • Thursday 4 p.m. Saint Stephens • Tuesday 6 p.m. • Wednesday 10 a.m. • Thursday 10 a.m. Southwest • Wednesday 10 a.m. • Thursday 11 a.m.