Books Aloud! is an educational enrichment initiative that promotes emergent literacy and library services for parents of preschool children, day care providers and preschool teachers. Through a series of monthly workshops, adults are provided with the resources and skills needed to read aloud successfully with young children. Books Aloud! workshops emphasize early literacy skills and provide parents with ideas and activities to share books with children.

Early Literacy is everything that children learn about reading and writing before they can actually read and write. Here are the set of skills that children must acquire between birth and age six to form the foundation for reading success:

• Vocabulary: Knowing the names of things
• Print Motivation: Interest and enjoyment in books
• Print Awareness: Noticing print and following the words on a page
• Narrative Skills: Being able to describe things and tell a story
• Letter Knowledge: Recognizing and understanding the names and sounds of individual letters
• Phonological Awareness: Being able to hear and play with the sounds that form words

Lifelong literacy begins long before a child enters school. Reading aloud and bringing books into daily life is the key to encouraging and developing a young child's ability to read. Research indicates that children who have strong early literacy skills become successful readers. Sharing books with children should begin at birth.

Select an age group for more information and book suggestions:

• Babies
• Toddlers
• Preschool
• Kindergarten

Each month the Books Aloud! workshop will focus on a theme. Participants will receive free books and supporting material. You will learn ways to bring books to life through reading aloud and related activities.

From October to May, Books Aloud! workshops are held in locations throughout the city. Books Aloud! Calendar

Register Today

Adults interested in attending the free workshops are welcome. Advance registration is necessary. To register for a Books Aloud! workshop, or for more information, please call 215-686-5372.

Child Care Providers

Child care providers will receive a certificate crediting them with one hour of training. Books Aloud! is accredited by the Department of Public Welfare to offer free continuing education credits (PQAS) to day care providers. To learm more consult the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality website at http://www.pakeys.org.