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:Â 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:Â Explore open-ended activities and pretend play. Play with art supplies for the sake of play, not to make a specific craft. Encourage imagination.
The Wizards & Wands Festival is going to be a scream! 😮
Jul 15, 2025
From a Halloween scream-along for kids to a screening of the silent film Nosferatu, be prepared for fun fantasy frights this October.
Fantastical Hedgehog Magic Show | Erica Carlson (Outside)
Oct 24th | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a hedgehog? That’s right! A super hedgehog!
Magical Illusions| The Alans (Second Floor), part of a series
Oct 24th | 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Enjoy a highly-interactive magic show full of imaginative props, humor, and, of course, amazing magic. Presented by Jason and Stacy Alan.
The Mailbox Plus (COMING SOON!)
Teachers, get 54,000+ ideas and worksheets that teach essential skills and take the stress out of lesson planning. For grades PreK-6.
The Wizards & Wands Festival is going to be a scream! 😮
Jul 15, 2025
From a Halloween scream-along for kids to a screening of the silent film Nosferatu, be prepared for fun fantasy frights this October.
Fantastical Hedgehog Magic Show | Erica Carlson (Outside)
Oct 24th | 4:00pm - 4:45pm
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a hedgehog? That’s right! A super hedgehog!
Magical Illusions| The Alans (Second Floor), part of a series
Oct 24th | 5:30pm - 6:00pm
Enjoy a highly-interactive magic show full of imaginative props, humor, and, of course, amazing magic. Presented by Jason and Stacy Alan.
The Mailbox Plus (COMING SOON!)
Teachers, get 54,000+ ideas and worksheets that teach essential skills and take the stress out of lesson planning. For grades PreK-6.
Reading Challenge
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.
Suggested Websites
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!
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!
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.
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.
