Spokane County Library District
SERVICES
Covering 1,700 square miles with 10 full-service libraries serving more than 255,000 residents, Spokane County Library District is the largest public library system in Spokane County and one of the 10 largest in the State of Washington. SCLD holds a collection of approximately half a million items and is proud of our reputation for exceptional customer service and fiscal responsibility.
AREA SERVED
SCLD serves unincorporated Spokane County and the affiliated cities and towns of Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Latah, Medical Lake, Millwood, Rockford, Spangle, Spokane Valley and Waverly (annexed to District); and Airway Heights (contracting with District).
Our Commitment to Early Learning
Spokane County Library District is dedicated to Early Learning, demonstrating that commitment with a variety of services to families and child care providers, as well as continuing education for staff and customers.
We employ several tools to help achieve our Early Learning goals:
Covering 1,700 square miles with 10 full-service libraries serving more than 255,000 residents, Spokane County Library District is the largest public library system in Spokane County and one of the 10 largest in the State of Washington. SCLD holds a collection of approximately half a million items and is proud of our reputation for exceptional customer service and fiscal responsibility.
AREA SERVED
SCLD serves unincorporated Spokane County and the affiliated cities and towns of Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Latah, Medical Lake, Millwood, Rockford, Spangle, Spokane Valley and Waverly (annexed to District); and Airway Heights (contracting with District).
Our Commitment to Early Learning
Spokane County Library District is dedicated to Early Learning, demonstrating that commitment with a variety of services to families and child care providers, as well as continuing education for staff and customers.
We employ several tools to help achieve our Early Learning goals:
- Preschool Book Bags
These bags contain 10 books and a folder containing suggestions for songs, fingerplays, and activities in themes such as Silly Fun, Weather, Feelings, Counting, Colors and LOTS more. New themes are continuously being created. - Toddler Book Bags
These bags contain 6 books (including board books) and a folder containing suggestions for songs, fingerplays and activities for very young children. New themes are continuously being created.
Storytime Plan
The North Spokane County library offers a wide vairety of storytime programs. Every Tuesday at 10a.m. we offer a baby lap-sit story time. This 20 minute program involves nursery rhymes, songs and stories that introduce babies to the rhythm and beauty of language, building the foundation for a lifelong love of books and reading. As all activities happen with babies on grown-up laps, plan to attend in a one-to-one baby/adult ratio.
Our 20 minute Toddler Play and Learn storytime consists of simple stories, songs and fingerplays followed by 30 minutes of activities introducing the concepts of math, science and literacy. Toddler storytime is every Tuesday at 11a.m.
Our Preschool Play and Learn storytime consists of stories, songs and fingerplays followed by activities that explore preschool-level concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Preschool storytime is every Thursday at 10a.m.
Twice a month we also offer a Family play and Learn storytime. At this evening event we do similar activities to the preschool play & learn storytime but for kids of all ages- and their adults! Children may wear pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed toy or blanket. Family storytime is held the first and third Thursday of every month at 7p.m.
Our 20 minute Toddler Play and Learn storytime consists of simple stories, songs and fingerplays followed by 30 minutes of activities introducing the concepts of math, science and literacy. Toddler storytime is every Tuesday at 11a.m.
Our Preschool Play and Learn storytime consists of stories, songs and fingerplays followed by activities that explore preschool-level concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Preschool storytime is every Thursday at 10a.m.
Twice a month we also offer a Family play and Learn storytime. At this evening event we do similar activities to the preschool play & learn storytime but for kids of all ages- and their adults! Children may wear pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed toy or blanket. Family storytime is held the first and third Thursday of every month at 7p.m.
Storytime Themes and Dates
This month all of our storytimes will be focusing on learning, singing and crafting about COWPOKES!
Week One all storytimes will focus on stories, activities, songs and poetry about Cowboys! Come listen to some root tootin stories and songs about our cowboy friends!
Week Two all storytimes will focus on stories, actvities, songs and poetry about Cowgirls! Yes even girls can ride horses and work on farms!
Week three all storytimes will focus on stories, activities, songs and poetry about the Rodeo! During our family storytime evening we will learn how to rope a calf and sing campfire songs!
Week Four all storytimes will focus on stories , songs and poetry about horses! Get ready to learn to gallop like a horse!
January 3, 10, 17, 24- Preschool Storytime 10 a.m.
January 8, 15, 22, 29 Baby Lapsit Storytime 10 a.m.
January 8, 15, 22, 29 Toddler Storytime 10 a.m.
Jaunuary 3,17, Family Storytime 7 p.m.
Week Two all storytimes will focus on stories, actvities, songs and poetry about Cowgirls! Yes even girls can ride horses and work on farms!
Week three all storytimes will focus on stories, activities, songs and poetry about the Rodeo! During our family storytime evening we will learn how to rope a calf and sing campfire songs!
Week Four all storytimes will focus on stories , songs and poetry about horses! Get ready to learn to gallop like a horse!
January 3, 10, 17, 24- Preschool Storytime 10 a.m.
January 8, 15, 22, 29 Baby Lapsit Storytime 10 a.m.
January 8, 15, 22, 29 Toddler Storytime 10 a.m.
Jaunuary 3,17, Family Storytime 7 p.m.
Early Learning Links
- Born Learning Initiative
Find out how to turn everyday activities into learning moments. - Leading to Reading
Reading Is Fundamental provides stories, songs, games, and information for parents about reading with young children. - Love, Talk, Play
From birth to three there are three key things all parents can and need to be doing with their child everyday. - Family Care Resources
Get help finding a licensed child care provider, or find services for child care providers.
Toddler Play and Learn Storytime
Ages 1 1/2 to 3
Read, Read, Read
"Storytime plays an important role in introducing children to the magic of books. Although it is never too late to start, we should begin reading books to our children when they are very small, even before they can walk and talk. As babies, children enjoy books with bright pictures and simple text. Board books that babies can manipulate themselves (and chew on) are good choices, too. Also good are books that are lyrical, such as Dr. Seuss books (my favorite is Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?) and nursery rhymes. While babies cannot understand the intricacies of the language, they do enjoy the rhythm of the words. This early introduction to reading develops a child’s love of books and fosters a close, loving relationship between parent and child."(Deen,2007).
Read, Read, Read
"Storytime plays an important role in introducing children to the magic of books. Although it is never too late to start, we should begin reading books to our children when they are very small, even before they can walk and talk. As babies, children enjoy books with bright pictures and simple text. Board books that babies can manipulate themselves (and chew on) are good choices, too. Also good are books that are lyrical, such as Dr. Seuss books (my favorite is Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?) and nursery rhymes. While babies cannot understand the intricacies of the language, they do enjoy the rhythm of the words. This early introduction to reading develops a child’s love of books and fosters a close, loving relationship between parent and child."(Deen,2007).
Baby Play and Learn Storytime
Ages 0-18 months
Reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful shared activity you can continue for years to come — and it's an important form of stimulation.
Reading aloud:
Reading aloud to your baby is a wonderful shared activity you can continue for years to come — and it's an important form of stimulation.
Reading aloud:
- teaches a baby about communication
- introduces concepts such as stories, numbers, letters, colors, and shapes in a fun way
- builds listening, memory, and vocabulary skills
- gives babies information about the world around them
Toddler Play and Learn Storytime
Ages 3-5
We all know reading to our kids is a good thing—but are you familiar with the specific advantages your toddler or preschool-age child can receive by being exposed to the merits of reading? Below are some benefits that highlight the importance of reading to your child between the ages of two and five.
We all know reading to our kids is a good thing—but are you familiar with the specific advantages your toddler or preschool-age child can receive by being exposed to the merits of reading? Below are some benefits that highlight the importance of reading to your child between the ages of two and five.
- A stronger relationship with you. As your child grows older, he’ll be on the move—playing, running, and constantly exploring his environment. Snuggling up with a book lets the two of you slow down and recaptures that sweet, cuddly time you enjoyed when he was a baby. Instead of being seen as a chore or a task, reading will become a nurturing activity that will bring the two of you closer together.
- Academic excellence. One of the primary benefits of reading to toddlers and preschoolers is a higher aptitude for learning in general. Numerous studies have shown that students who are exposed to reading before preschool are more likely to do well in all facets of formal education. After all, if a student struggles to put together words and sentences, how can he be expected to grasp the math, science, and social concepts he’ll be presented with when he begins elementary school?
- Basic speech skills. Throughout toddlerhood and preschool, your child is learning critical language and enunciation skills. By listening to you read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, your child is reinforcing the basic sounds that form language. “Pretend reading”—when a toddler pages through a book with squeals and jabbers of delight—is a very important pre-literacy activity. As a preschooler, your child will likely begin sounding out words on his own.
- The basics of how to read a book. Children aren’t born with an innate knowledge that text is read from left to right, or that the words on a page are separate from the images. Essential pre-reading skills like these are among the major benefits of early reading.
- Better communication skills. When you spend time reading to toddlers, they’ll be much more likely to express themselves and relate to others in a healthy way. By witnessing the interactions between the characters in the books you read, as well as the contact with you during story time, your child is gaining valuable communication skills.
Family Play and Learn Storytime
Familes Reading Together" promotes the shared joy of parents and children reading together. The following links provide quality resources and clear strategies for creating a "reading-friendly" environment in every home.