Children start kindergarten at age five; however, learning begins at birth and parents are the child’s first teacher. This is as simple as reading, talking, singing and playing with a child. These efforts can have lasting effects and a positive impact on a child’s future education. However, parents do not have to be alone in a child’s educational journey, the library is an invaluable resource. 

It is a given that libraries offer an endless number of books for every age and interest to encourage parents and families to read every day, which builds language skills, improves listening and inspires creativity among other things. In addition, libraries offer a full schedule of programs for children to attend, offering an opportunity to engage with other children and adults. Social emotional skills are just as important as the other academic skills.  

Some libraries have specific kindergarten readiness programs on their schedules for incoming kindergarten students. Bethel Park Public Library offers an early literacy class called Preschool Power that focuses on a different letter each week. Others offer camp style programs in the summer leading up to the beginning of the school year. Children practice using scissors, learning letters and sometimes experience being in a setting without their adult. 

The Allegheny County Library Association also supports the efforts made by parents and libraries to prepare children for kindergarten by providing Preschool Grab Bags. A preschool grab bag is a tote with books, a learning toy and a tip sheet for adults. The contents are geared for a caregiver and child ages 3-5 to do together; however, the bag could be scaled for an older toddler or early elementary aged student. Bags can be reserved in the catalog using keyword “preschool grab bags.” 

This month’s segment of Books & Beyond on Pittsburgh Today Live with Heather Abraham and David Highfield features kindergarten readiness, including a visit to Bethel Park Public Library to see Preschool Power, hear from Head of Youth Services Elaine Volpe and look at the preschool grab bags. To watch the full segment, click here. The book for this month’s segment is Roar for Reading by Beth Ferry, a perfect title for preschool and early elementary grades that encourages children to speak up for what they believe in. Here is a read-a-loud by the author and the link to the parent tip sheet. Limited copies of the book are available, so if interested complete this survey after watching the segment. 

Give your child’s kindergarten readiness a boost by attending a program at the library, checking out a preschool grab bag and continuing to read at home.