Library offering new child program

The Putnam County Public Library hopes to make a positive impact on area literacy by offering the program "Every Child Ready to Read."

This program offers information to parents and caregivers that will help them give the children in their lives a strong foundation for becoming successful readers.

Parents can learn more about the program at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 during a literacy program at the library.

Research has shown that children need certain skills before learning to read. This program does not attempt to teach reading.

It does try to develop every child's early literacy -- that is, what children know about reading and writing before they can read and write. Those skills include knowing letters and their sounds, being able to describe events, and knowing how to handle a book.

They also need to be able to hear small parts of words, have a good vocabulary and enjoy books and reading.

This program addresses ways to foster these skills with children at three different ages -- from birth to age 2, 2- and 3-year-olds, and 4- and 5-year-olds.

There are different ways of promoting early literacy at each of these developmental levels.

Participants in this program will learn why songs and rhymes are important and that there is more to reading a story than just reading the words. For more information or to schedule Children's Librarian Suzanne Hall for a presentation, contact her at 653-2755, ext.121 or e-mail to: suzanne@putnam.lib.in.

us.