It’s another exciting storytime session at the Naperville Public Library! The Children’s Services staff offers storytime programs for children of many ages to introduce them to the magic and wonder of books. Storytimes are developed through a multi-media approach incorporating books, flannel board presentations, music, fingerplays, and puppets.

Staff strives to make your family's Library experience the best it can be and actively seeks ways to improve on what we offer. That is why the Library has adopted the Public Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read® program to promote the development of the six early literacy skills that prepare children under six to be ready to learn to read. Early literacy refers to everything your child knows about reading and writing before they can actually read or write.

Children start learning at birth, and the latest research has shown that the skills to help children learn to read are acquired long before their first day of school. Our goal is to help you provide a language rich, verbally stimulating environment for your child. One where everyday sounds, letters, shapes, books, songs, and rhymes will help make the connections that are the basis for learning to read.

You are your child’s first and most important teacher and we want to encourage you to talk, sing, play, and read with your child in a positive and fun atmosphere. Early literacy is not about memorizing, flashcards, drills, or study, and it’s not teaching your child to read. It is about interacting, talking and reading with your child daily – with fun as the most important ingredient.

You will notice Library staff leading storytimes referring to these "early literacy" or pre-reading skills:

• Letter Knowledge: Learning that each letter is distinct and that each letter has its own name and unique sound.
• Phonological Awareness: Being able to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words.
• Narrative Skills: Being able to describe things and events, being able to tell stories.
• Print Motivation: Being interested in, and enjoying, books.
• Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things.
• Print Awareness: Noticing print, knowing how to handle a book and knowing how to follow the words on a page.

Children’s staff will suggest activities during storytimes to help you discover the many ways you can reinforce pre-reading skills with your young child. We look forward to seeing you at the Library, enjoying the books, puzzles, alphabet rugs, puppets, and educational displays and handouts near the storytime rooms. We can all make a positive difference in the future success of our community’s children with Every Child Ready to Read®!
Fall Storytime runs August 12 – November 19, 2011.

Storytime Programs
Storytime should be an enjoyable experience that will lead to a love of books and continued use of the Library.
Please help your child and all children, have the best storytime experience possible by following the guidelines below:

• Explain to your child beforehand what to expect and how to behave during storytime. Help out during storytime by modeling that behavior.
• Storytime children sit quietly on their bottoms, with their ears open, ready to listen and enjoy the program.
• Storytime adults save their conversations until after storytime.
• An adult must remain in the Children’s area while their children are in a storytime program so they will be available when necessary or in case storytime ends early.
• Please remember to use indoor voices, walk, and don’t run.
• Please remember, no food or uncovered drinks in any area other than the tiled lobby area.

And most importantly – please ask Children’s Services staff for any help you need in making your Library visit a successful one! Thank you for your help in making storytime and Library visits pleasant experiences for everyone.