Play Together

5 Practices of Early Literacy

Encourage storytelling and problem-solving by playing together.

Playing encourages your child to put their thoughts into words, tell stories, problem-solve and imagine. All of these skills will help them become better readers and writers when they start school.

  • Ages 0-1: Play peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo helps babies understand that just because they can’t see something, that object still exists. Play in front of a mirror and point to your baby’s body parts.
  • Ages 1-2: Encourage repetitive play. Your baby may want to spend 30 minutes moving blocks from one bin to another. They are learning about concepts like gravity and motion - encourage them to repeat these simple tasks over and over.
  • Ages 2-3: Introduce new vocabulary while you play. Narrate what you are doing. Use the big words and the small words—as many words as you can.
  • Ages 3-5: Explore open-ended activities and pretend play. Play with art supplies for the sake of play, not to make a specific craft. Encourage imagination.

Leaping Lizards: Reptile Show

Feb 22nd | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn about snakes, millipedes, frogs, spiders, lizards, and more. Then get up close with a reptile and a bug...and maybe even touch one!…

Daniel Tiger Storytime

Feb 14th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Won't you be my neighbor? Read about Daniel Tiger's adventures, visit with friends from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and share…

Countdown to the New Year

Dec 29th | 9:30am - 10:15am
Ring in the new year with stories, activities, and a balloon-filled finale! Count down with a storytime, then dance the morning away at…

Family Craft with Ohio Craft Museum (Ages 4+)

Dec 12th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Work together to create a memorable craft to keep. Presented by representatives from the Ohio Craft Museum. All supplies…

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Unlock your child’s potential with tips, storytime alerts, book recommendations & more from your library. Already receive emails from us? Update your preferences. 
Unlock your child’s potential with tips, storytime alerts, book recommendations & more from your library. Already receive emails from us? Update your preferences. 

Reading Challenge

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.

Tear it up!

Create collages by tearing paper with just your hands. Why? This activity strengthens the muscles needed for gripping a pencil.

Play I Spy!

While reading a book, ask your child to point every time they see the first letter in their name.

Autumn leaves are falling.

Gather some leaves and sort them into piles by color, size, shape or type.

Get moving!

Get the wiggles out by jumping, marching or skipping to your favorite songs.

Imagination LibraryImagination Library

Fill your home library with books that will inspire a love of reading. Made possible by the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. 
Fill your home library with books that will inspire a love of reading. Made possible by the Ohio Governor's Imagination Library. 

Kristen C.

When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.

Ashleigh M.

Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.

Annamarie C

Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.

Katie R.

Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
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