Early Literacy

Champaign-Urbana had a special visitor last week, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, who spoke about the importance of early literacy in his talk, "Books Build Better Brains: Wanderings at the Intersection of Children's Literature and Early Brain Development" for the Gryphon Lecture series at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science.  Dr. Navsaria is a rare doctor who studied both pediatrics and children's literature at The University of Illinois while obtaining his M.D. and later, M.S. in Library and Information Science.   He shared a fabulous hand-out on the Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy from Reach Out and Read, documenting not only the cognitive milestones in early literacy, but the motor milestones in early literacy as well.  Most importantly, it gives practical suggestions for parents and caregivers to support early literacy.  -Elaine B.

Food for Thought

As information professionals and children's librarians, we often get asked the question, "When is it appropriate to introduce computers to my child?"  Currently, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is being pressured to take a stand on this issue, particularly in the case of children ages 0-3.  Groups like the Alliance for Childhood are advocating no computers for this age group, clearly outlined in their position letter.  The founders of the Alliance are quoted in Dr. Jenn Berman's new book Superbaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years, as saying "Robust play stimulates the mind, strengthens the body, and develops social skills and emotional maturity", as opposed to time spent in front of a computer.  They go on to question the lessons we are teaching when we introduce them to computers at such a young age: "They teach children to pay less attention to people...and more attention to machines" (p.247).  Berman herself describes her personal challenges and triumphs to limit screen time with her toddlers.  In addition to this chapter on "screen time", she also devotes chapters to the importance of play, communication, and reading with your baby.  Need some inspiration?  A great way to do all of these things, (and introduce your child to computers when the time is right) is to join us in the children's department.  We have early childhood programs that assist in developing pre-reading skills, toys and games to play with new friends, and plenty of books to fill an afternoon of reading together in a window seat.  -Elaine B.

Music Makes a Difference

Young children learn through all their senses - touching, hearing, seeing, moving, smelling, and tasting. Music stimulates a different part of the brain than conversation (and reading) does. And, when you use music with a child, movement/dancing is often involved, too. Using movement and music together, which educators call kinesthetic learning, is powerful, effective, and best of all - fun! The Urbana Free Libary has many music activity cd's that encourage movement, interaction, and fun between parents, caregivers, and young children. Some of my favorites are : Songs and Games for Toddlers , Get Ready, Get Set, Sing, Everyday Activities for Kids, Baby Face, Can Cockatoos Count By Twos?, and Six Little Ducks. So, when you're ready for some active fun (and learning), come to the Urbana Free Library and check out our music activity cd's section. Janet R.