The Library's Early Literacy Program
Play, Read and Sing
Help Your Child Get Ready To ReadBabies
Rub-a-dub-dub, Shapes in the Tub!
Bathtime is a great time to explore shapes! Draw shapes in soap bubbles or cut some basic shapes out of sponges for squeezable fun. Talk about how they are similar and different. These experiences will prepare your baby's brain to learn letters in a few years! MoreToddlers
Fun with Food
Create a print matching game using food cartons from your kitchen. Cut out the front panel of the carton showing the words and one of the side panels that shows the same logo. Help your child match the small cards to the larger cards. Talk about the words and any letters your child might be ... MorePreschoolers
Fun with Puppets
Puppets are so much fun for kids and a great tool to help them tell their own stories. Using puppets, children can act out familiar stories, their own made-up stories, or talk about things they have done. You can make puppets from paper plates, socks, gloves, or glue pictures from ... MoreTiny Tip
Republic Branch Library is having a Pajama Storytime! Monday, March 10th, 7 p.m. for infants to age 6. Wear your pajamas and cuddle up with a stuffed animal as you listen to stories and sing songs that are perfect for bedtime.
Play equals learning!
About Racing to Read
Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they learn how to read and write. Reading, talking, singing and playing with children from birth make learning to read easier!
Bring your child to a library branch near you to discover all the Library has to offer, including storytimes, play-and-learn centers, creative, knowledgeable staff and, of course, books. For more information, email racingtoread@thelibrary.org.
5 Roads to Reading
Have fun reading books you and your child enjoy.
Play with sounds, songs and rhymes.
Create stories, play make-believe and let your child be the storyteller.
Explore lots of words with your child. 
Find print everywhere. Play with words and letters.