Ready for the Future
Are you worried you’re not engaged enough with your child’s learning? This may be surprising, but building your child’s brain can be as simple as reading, playing, singing, and talking! Any small efforts to prepare for a school setting is a step towards your child’s future success.
Where do I start?
Are you struggling with getting started? Maybe you’re not sure of what steps to take? We’ve got you covered. This program is designed to support and engage parents and caregivers in the early stages of their child’s learning journey.
Ready for School Program
This program is designed for families with children birth to age 5 (not in Kindergarten). Our School Readiness Specialists will meet with you at any Stark Library branch, every other month, to discuss your learning goals for your child. Whether it’s letter and number knowledge, letter sounds, or hand-eye coordination, we’ll provide you with lessons and free age-appropriate activity kits, books included, based on the six early literacy skills. Plus, you don’t have to return the activity kits - they’re for you to keep.
Book Buddies & Homework Help for K - 3rd Graders
Drop in for shared reading with our staff or help with homework. A relaxed space for students in K - 3rd grade to practice reading together.
- Madge Youtz Branch | Tuesdays | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
- Ellisdale Apartments with Bookmobile | Tuesdays | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
- Jackson Sherrick with Bookmobile | Wednesdays | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children, big and small, all need help during their learning journey! With free resources, books, and one-on-one support from us, getting started is as easy as 1-2-3.
Simply fill out our form in the right-hand column to sign-up for our Ready for School or Book Buddies & Homework Help program and scroll down for other FREE literacy resources available at Stark Library!
Early Literacy Skills
Early literacy is the knowledge a child develops about reading and writing before actually learning to read or write.
Our School Readiness Specialists will base each lesson and activity kit for your child on one of these six early literacy skills.
Print Motivation
Being interested in books and enjoying them.
Print Awareness
Noticing print and knowing how to handle books.
Letter Knowledge
Knowing the names and sounds of letters.
Phonological Awareness
Hearing sounds that make up words.
Vocabulary
Knowing the names of things.
Narrative Skills
Reading or telling a story.
Interested?
Are you interested in learning more? Please complete this form.
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1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Children's Resources
Staff Picks for Kids
Hispanic Heritage Month
Silly Read-Alouds: Not just for the Littles
America 250: Stories, Voices, & Ideas That Shaped Our Nation
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