Write

Writing helps children understand that the words they speak can be written down, and then read and spoken by someone else. They begin to understand that the shapes on the page have meaning. 

Programs At Your Library:

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

A free program encouraging all parents and caregivers to read daily to their children, ensuring a solid foundation for when their child reaches kindergarten. Sign up at any Siouxland Libraries branch or online by visiting READsquared. 

Your child will receive sidewalk chalk after reading 400 books. Scribbling with chalk is a great way to build fine motor skills to prepare for writing later! 

Events at Your Library: 

Art Adventures

Promote your child’s love of reading through simple art activities. For children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. 

Ready, Set, Kindergarten

Starting Kindergarten is a significant transition in your child’s life. In this free six-week program, we will go over the six readiness skills that will help your child feel confident on their first day.

Services at Your Library:

Concept Books

These books help prepare your child for Kindergarten by using stories to teach counting, shapes, letters, and colors. 

Learning to Count

Learning Colors

Learning Letters

Learning Shapes

Learning at Home:

• Encourage your child to scribble. This is their first attempt at writing! Have a variety of materials available for your child – crayons, pencils, markers, chalk, finger paints, etc.
• Have your child write a story. Sound overwhelming? The story does not need to resemble real words or proper sentence structure. As they ‘write a story’, have them tell you what they are writing. Being an active participant in writing helps keep children excited about reading stories.
• Practice making lines, curves, and shapes. Soon, they will make a connection that the shapes they draw can represent letters!
• Provide many opportunities for drawing pictures and then telling stories about what the pictures represent.
• Everything that helps your child build hand strength and coordination – like playing with play dough and cutting with scissors, helps your child get ready to write.
• Model writing for your child and discuss its purpose. Talking about grocery lists, emails, or to-do lists provides opportunities to build vocabulary while also encouraging writing.