Jefferson County Public Library issued the following announcement on Sept. 1.
Read. Write. Sing. Play. Talk. Get your little ones ready to read this fall with Raise a Reader, opens a new window!
We have lots of fun and safe activities for kids under 5 and their families! We are extending the celebration to an entire month and providing activities you can do at home, all over Jefferson County and online.
“Families last year loved the different stations to explore skills that get kids ready to read,” said JCPL Kids and Families Manager Robyn Lupa. “They also loved the family time, as we had multiple generations—from babies to grandparents—there. Mostly, the feedback we received was appreciative of opportunities for families to play, dance and sing together and we’re replicating a lot of that.”
You can choose from dozens of events and activities, some virtual, some hands-on, at home, and others in person!
“We have made Raise a Reader an event that is accessible to all families at their convenience,” Lupa said. “It gives them a variety of experiences in a safe, socially distanced way, and shows that it’s easy and fun to raise readers.”
One of these fun experiences is a visit to Olde Town Arvada, where an exciting StoryWalk® is waiting for you, starting at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop at 5760 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. The StoryWalk®, opens a new window features pages of the picture book, Maria Had a Little Llama/Maria Tenia Una Llamita by Angela Dominguez,, opens a new window displayed in the windows of 15 local businesses. You and your kids can stroll down the streets to discover each page of the book.
The StoryWalk® project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Other activities include Sidewalk Obstacle Courses in front of JCPL locations and Take & Make Activity Kits that are available for pickup while supplies last. These activities are full of hands-on opportunities for families to dive into early literacy by reading, talking, singing, writing and playing together.
Outdoor Family Story Times, opens a new window will also take place each Saturday in September and will be JCPL’s first in-person programming since the spring. In order to comply with safety guidelines, participation is limited to those who have registered, opens a new window in advance. Participants will be socially distanced and required to wear face coverings.
All are invited to attend virtual events, including a puppet show, piñata craft, and gentle yoga. Sing and dance with popular children’s entertainer, Katherine Dines, whose Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta act inspired families to sing and dance at last year’s event.
Raise a Reader is part of JCPL’s mission to promote early literacy and provide resources to parents to help their kids start reading.
“Birth-to-five is the most crucial time for brain growth, and healthy relationships with adults makes all the difference,” Lupa said. “JCPL supports caregivers as their child’s first and most important teacher with materials and programs to get kids ready to read and learn.”
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