Reading aloud is the foundation for literacy development. It is the single most important activity for reading success." (Bredekamp, Coople & Neuman, 2000)
 

April Activities (click HERE for the full calendar)

Save the dates:

• Monday, 4/1 - ALSC ASL eCourse begins
• Thursday, 4/13 - Meet Me at The Wadsworth
• Monday, 4/22 - Spring Field Trip: Lutz Children's Museum
• Wednesday, 4/24 - Reading & Recipes Provider Training
• Thursday, 4/25 - Reading & Recipes Store Tour

ALSC ASL eCourse

In this 6-week eCourse, programming expert and signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. Participants will learn basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, they will also learn techniques to share stories, songs, and other activities to incorporate ASL. 

Do It Digital 

Zoom 1-2 pm

Learn how to incorporate technology and boost your business's online presence by creating electronic newsletters and promoting parent engagement using digital daily checkpoints. ASL Coaching breakout room from 2-2:30.

Meet Me at The Wadsworth

Noon - 2 pm

Second Saturdays for Families are FREE. Meet me at the Wadsworth to enjoy their family-friendly crafts and explore the museum. This month make an abstract painting using found materials.

Spring Field Trip: Lutz Children’s Museum

9 - 1 pm

Join us for our Spring Field Trip. We will explore the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester, CT. Enjoy free play, a story, snack, meet and pet a creature, and view animals that live at the museum.

Reading & Recipes Provider Training

1-2 pm

UCONN Health Nutrition and Sports Nutritionist will engage the LiL providers in interactive nutrition education training and food demonstrations. We will discuss Brain Foods. Our recipe is Avocado Toast. ASL Coaching review breakout room from 2-2:30.

Reading & Recipes Store Tour

1-2:30 AND 6:30-8 pm

Think you know everything about your grocery store? There’s more to it than products on the shelf. Join us for an informative tour with the store’s dietician to learn about the numerous, nutrition benefits offered.  Because this program has a limited group size of 8 attendees, this program is also available on May 23 and May 30. YOU CAN ONLY ATTEND ONCE. Participants receive a $10 ShopRite gift card.

Leap Into Learning Literacy Program For Childcare Providers 

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:

• Early literacy resources and training
• Books, activities and materials
• Story time home visits
• HPL teacher cards
• Library cards for children and families

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:

• Borrow books and materials for up to 4 weeks with two-week renewals and no fines
• Request book selections from branch librarians
• Help children and families obtain a library card of their own

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.

Meet Program Coordinator Nichole Hawkins

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.