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    Blogging A to Z: Play

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    I think Mr. Rogers is an American institution. A man who was truly an wonderful human being who lived by the golden rule. He created Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood and spoke directly to kids about growing up focusing on social and emotional needs. The show ran for 895 episodes! Besides the…

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    Blogging A to Z: Openness

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    Openness can mean a lot of different things, but for today’s post we’re talking about diversity. And the importance of creating a purposeful home library full of books that open your child’s world beyond their lived experiences. On a very basic level, that shouldn’t be too difficult. Because small children…

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    Blogging A to Z: Native Language

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    I live in a community where on any given day I can hear a handful of languages in the library. We have a large population of families from India in our area, plus Spanish, French, Chinese, some Eastern European languages, and more! Children in our school district speak 40 different…

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    Blogging A to Z: Multiple Readings

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    Do you have that one book in the house that you wish with all your might would just “happen” to disappear? And you’d totally make that happen if it wasn’t for the inevitable meltdown that would occur because of it? Yep, that one book that you kid wants you to…

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    Blogging A to Z: Visit the Library

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    As a public library director at least one of these letters had to be focused on using the library. I think it might be shocking to many, how much the public library offers to their community. Now, public libraries are organized differently all across the U.S. and even more so…

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    Blogging A to Z: Know When to Stop

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    As much as I love to read and believe it’s the answer to all your questions and problems! That’s not accurate. Reading should be fun and enjoyable for your child and for YOU! If it feels like a chore for you to read aloud, guess what? Your kid is going…

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    Blogging A to Z: Jump for Joy

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    Does your little one have enough energy to power a brand-new electric car? Are they the type of kid that just doesn’t stop moving all day long? And now for the most important question – can you harness that energy and send some my way? Some kids are extremely active…

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    Blogging A to Z: Interactive

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    Reading aloud is rarely a one-way conversation. Reading aloud should be a group effort! Throughout a story, encourage your child to answer questions about what’s happening or something that they can find in the illustrations. Asking questions about what they think might happen next is a great way to begin…

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    Blogging A to Z: Hand-Eye Coordination

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    Reading aloud is all about snuggles. But when you get to include practicing fine motor control while snuggling, that’s even better! When kids are young – think before Kindergarten you have to think of books as toys. Kids are learning about the world around them and that includes how books…

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    Blogging A to Z: Grow

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    To encourage kids to be lifelong readers, make sure to include books for your kids to grow into! When you’ve got an itty bitty baby at home, make sure you have picture books incorporated on your shelf too. When your toddler starts obsessing over transportation vehicles, fill those shelves with…