Did you know...80% of a child's brain is formed between birth and age three? What happens during these first few years sets the stage for the rest of a child’s life. It is never too early to start reading with children. Instilling a love for books and reading puts them on a path to success.
Parents are their child's first and most important teachers. Use everyday moments as teachable moments to support early literacy skills. Remember young children have short attention spans. Try reading for short periods, several times a day.
"Play is really the work of childhood." — Fred Rogers
Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity. Unlock the power of play for your little ones with these post-holiday parent/caregiver lifehacks:
Are you a Hartford home daycare provider looking for new and exciting ways to engage the children and families you serve in literacy? Look no further! The Hartford Public Library is pleased to offer the Leap Into Learning literacy program.
This service is for children ages birth through five, along with their parents and caregivers, to ensure all children in Hartford are well prepared and enter kindergarten ready to learn.
This interactive, immersive literacy program will offer support to home daycare providers in the form of:
Interested? Complete this online form or send an email to Leap Into Learning Program Coordinator Nichole Hawkins at nhawkins@hplct.org.
Patricipating providers who care for children ages birth to five will receive access to good quality early literacy resources and enjoy special literacy events, plus beneficial training for providers and parents. Providers can also apply for an HPL teacher card which allows providers to:
Providers and parents are encouraged to join us at Hartford Public Library's Summer Learning kickoff event on Saturday, June 18th at the Downtown Library (500 Main St.) to learn more.
Leap Into Learning is sponsored by the Gawlicki Family Foundation.
Nichole is a Hartford resident with decades of experience in early childhood education. She ran a home daycare for 10 years, worked for ECHN as a family support provider and during the pandemic launched Legacy Lineage, a virtual preschool classroom to support families in homeschooling. She is excited to share the Supercharged Storytime framework and the beneficial strategies she's mastered to empower the participants of the Leap Into Learning program on all levels.