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

Start the school year off "write" with Leap into Learning literacy programming!

September events:

• Thursday, 9/7 Supercharged Storytime Playgroup at Ropkins Branch 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, 9/13 - Wednesday Workshop: It's Storytime 1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, 9/21 - Reading & Recipes Literacy and Nutrition session 1, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
• Thursday, 9/27 - National Library Card Month Event: Lunch with HPL Youth Librarians 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Supercharged Storytime Playgroup

Are you a parent/caregiver with children from birth to age 5? Join us for a fun playdate that supports families and young children with socialization, early learning, literacy, and development. Each playgroup includes storytime, activities, and snacks.

Wednesday Workshop: It's Storytime

Leap into Learning childcare providers will discuss new opportunities to engage young learners in storytime, the power of repetition, our pre-assessment, and the implementation of our program literacy logs. Attendees will learn more about the participation resource for this workshop.

Reading & Recipes Literacy and Nutrition Session 1 

UCONN Husky Health Nutrition and Sports Nutritionist will engage families with interactive nutrition education and food demonstrations. Our first topic is Lunchbox Loot. Families will prepare and enjoy Garden Muffins. All participants will receive a bag filled with literacy resources and ingredients to prepare the recipe. 

National Library Card Month

Did you know September is National Library Card Month? LiL childcare providers will meet HPL's youth librarians, sign up for a teacher card, and learn about early literacy resources, unique branch programs offered, and the benefits of having an HPL teacher 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.