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Early Years Literacy Programs

Early Literacy Programs use stories, songs, games, rhymes, crafts, and other interactive activities to help young children build early literacy skills. In addition to providing entertainment, early literacy programs introduce children to the building blocks of literacy: rhyme, rhythm, repetition, and the narrative form. These activities help children gain social skills and develop creativity and visual literacy.

Studies have shown that children who regularly attend library StoryTimes or similar programs perform better in school and other learning environments.

 


 

Neighbourhood Story Time

Children’s Stories read by the people that you meet each day!

Fridays @ 11AM

Every Friday from 11AM-11:30AM, The Library hosts Family Story Time, and all ages event with stories for readers of all level and ability, from babies to 7 year old. Traditionally, this program fosters early literacy, creates positive associations with books, being read to, and the Library, and provides a rewarding shared experience between adults and their children… and now we’re adding a new element to the Program: Community connection.

The Library will host guest Story Time readers, from Fire Fighters, to Book shop owners, to SPCA volunteers, to public health nurses, to ELF (Early Learning For Families — Strong Start) leaders, to PARC Life guards to Grocery clerks to RCMP officers.

All these guest readers are taking part in Story Time to not only uphold the general Story Time Principals above, but to foster social-trust and recognition of members in the community to families in a non-threatening and low-barrier environment, through an accessibly neutral medium: Children’s books.

Every week will be different! Up to 2-5 books are generally read, and story time may include activities, rhymes, felt boards, puppets, singing, movement or crafts depending on our Story Teller. Registration is not required, and former school teacher Brian Day or Children’s Librarian Julia Wagner will host stories on days when Community Readers are not available.

Email jwagner@saltspringlibrary.com to be a volunteer Community Reader in this program, or for more information.


Youth Board Games

Fridays from 1-4PM, join us at the Library for Boardgames of all kind, classic and new. With cameo appearance from local Boardgame experts and guides, every afternoon is different. AND – there’s snacks! Courtesy of Country Grocer, a generous supporter of community youth and the programs they are a part of.


Mother Goose

A free Preschool Program for Moms, dads, caregivers and their little ones. Learn and grow together through the power of music, rhyme, and play! Children’s Stories read at the end, too. Co-regulate and feel together, and build early literacy skills while connecting with other island families and learning about your community in a warm and positive Library setting.

Thursdays, 10:30-12:00PM

 


StoryWalk

Every week. StoryWalk® is a self-guided supported-activity that allows children and adults to enjoy reading and outdoor activity at the same time. Every weekend, laminated pages from a children’s book is attached to signs, These signs are then sequentially installed from the front of the Library, down the street, then though Mouat Park toward the Rainbow Road Pool. As you stroll down the trail, a story unfolds.

StoryWalks® have been installed in 50 states and 13 countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea! ​ StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

 


Backpack Kits

AVAILABLE TO BORROW
The library lends backpack literacy kits filled with books, games, toys,
puppets, puzzles and more! Themed kits are available to check out with
any adult Salt Spring library card. Themes include: Trains, Farm, Under the
Sea, and many more! Located under the windows in the children’s section.


Books for Babies

A FREE BAG OF BOOKS AND GOODIES FOR EVERY BABY ON SALT
SPRING!
Have you got your Books for Babies Bag? Books for Babies is a free early
literacy starter-kit for your under 1 year-old. Bag includes books, CDs, and
information on childhood literacy. Available free of charge at the library
information desk, and yours to keep.


School Visits

FOR DAYCARES AND PRESCHOOLS
Our librarian and Grizzles the Bear welcome preschools and
daycares to the library for library tours and stories. We can also visit you
for library outreach StoryTimes. Please contact us for more info, or to
schedule a visit.

 

For more information on these and other children’s programs, please contact Librarian Julia Wagner at jwagner@saltspringlibrary.com, or by phone at 250-537-4666 ex. 225.