Sergeant Joe Friday from the old television show “Dragnet” is remembered for his oft repeated saying, “Just the facts, ma’am”.  There is an entire group of readers for whom this phrase applies.  Most adult readers have a preferred genre.  I’m a fiction gal.  Adults sometimes think that children want only storybooks.  Storybooks are easier and perhaps more fun for adults to read to children. 

Truth is, however, many children prefer non-fiction.  I call these kids the “just the facts ma’am kids”.  Often, but not always, boys are the readers that seek facts.  They want to know about the natural world, science, and tangible information.  You know these kids when you meet them.  They can rattle off the names of the entire dinosaur kingdom without blinking an eye.  They can tell you all you ever wanted to know about how gadgets work. 

These kids may, in fact, be on to something.  More and more, educators are encouraging children—young and old to read non-fiction.  The information gained from reading non-fiction helps children build background knowledge that is necessary for the reading students eventually encounter in science, social studies, and other subjects.  And, exposure to non-fiction helps to create life-long learners by fueling and encouraging children’s natural curiosity. 

So, don’t be afraid to seek out a new section at the library the next time you’re selecting a book.  You just might learn something! 

Ask your librarian to recommend great non-fiction titles or visit www.mpl.org and check out Kid Zone. 

Due to a minor technical glitch, this did not get posted. Since there are still a few days of Spring Break left, I wanted to share this!

Not heading out of town for Spring Break? Me neither. I’m going to try not to be resentful of my family and friends who are fortunate enough to be heading to warmer and sunnier parts this Spring Break. Instead, I’m going to give this “staycation” notion a try.

In thinking about what to do next week, I’ve realized that there are plenty of options to keep the family occupied. The Brewers are in town—we’ll take in a game. I love day trips to Chicago—there’s another day covered. I’m treating myself to a little “me” time by attending a gardening workshop and the first gathering of a new book club at the Bay View Library (more on that another time). Most of those things cost money, though. Since this is a staycation, I need to explore some not-so-costly options as well.

There are some wonderful, free Spring Break options available at the Milwaukee Public Library. We’ll be taking advantage of those as well. Preschoolers can enjoy a story time at their neighborhood library. Every afternoon Central Library is hosting a program. Options include: Game Day, Picasso Faces (art activities inspired by Picasso), and Book Jacket Bingo. Feel like taking in a movie? Check out Mill Road, Atkinson, and Martin Luther King. Have a teen at home? Encourage them to participate in the gaming program at the Capitol Library. There are plenty of boredom busters available!

While I may not come home with a great tan and sand in my ears, I think we’ve got the makings for a pretty great Spring Break right here at home.

How do you plan to spend Spring Break?

For a complete list of Spring Break @ the Milwaukee Public Library visit www.mpl.org

This week the National Association of the Education of Young Children recognizes “The Week of the Young Child.”  The purpose behind this annual celebration is to focus the public on the needs of young children and the adults who are instrumental in their development and care.  Cynically, I know some of us hear “week of the young child” and think, “Isn’t that every week?”  Given the importance of the first years in a child’s life, it makes sense to take time to give it special recognition.

If you have a special young person in your life I encourage you to take a moment to thank the adults who spend time with them for the important work they do.

The theme for the Week of the Young Child 2009 is Bring Communities Together for Children—Children Bring Communities Together.  The Milwaukee Public Library is recognizing the Week of the Young Child with special story times including snacks and extended art activities.  Visit our website at www.mpl.org for more information and have a happy Week of the Young Child!  They’re worth it!
 

When I’m asked to talk to parents and child care providers about helping children develop early literacy skills, I refer to the Six Skills for Early Literacy.  Periodically in this blog I would like to talk a bit about the Six Skills for Early Literacy.

One of the early literacy skills is phonological awareness.  Phonological awareness refers to a child’s ability to hear and play with the sounds in words.  A friend recently told me that this skill sounded intimidating and teaching it was best left to “the professionals”.  My friend is right, the term does sound intimidating.  But, where she was wrong was in doubting her ability to help her children develop the skill.

If fact, I argue that most parents who read to their children, sing songs together, and engage in conversations on a regular basis are already developing this critical early literacy skill--and they didn’t even know it!

Being able to hear and play with the sounds in words is a strong predictor of a child’s success in learning to read.   Kids who come to school with the ability to do this tend to learn to read with greater ease.  This includes such things as rhyming, alliteration, and segmenting.  All of these are developed through fun, easy interactions with children.
 

What can you do to help your children develop this skill?  Share books that contain lots of rhyming text and alliteration.  A few of my favorites are:
• Playtime Rhymes for Little People by Clare Barton which comes with a CD
• The sweet and tender Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
• The playful and engaging Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park
• An appealing presentation of Mother Goose rhymes in The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina  Crews
• The hilarious new Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
 

Sing songs with your kids.  Music helps with phonological awareness because of the natural rhythm contained in songs.  Typically, each note in a song represents a syllable in a word.  This makes segmenting words fairly easy.

Nursery rhymes and tongue twisters are great ways to develop phonological awareness.  Kids love it when you make a mistake and marvel when and if you can complete the twister.

Feel free to ask your librarian to suggest books that contain rhyme.

To learn more about this and the other early literacy skills visit www.mpl.org