What Does That Program Have to Do With Literacy?
The Youth Services department at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library works hard to host multiple programs for children in our communities each week. Some of these programs are quite obviously designed to promote literacy and growing literacy skills in children, such as our storytimes and Tween Book Club. However, many of our programs might not always have a clear tie to literacy, leading some to ask why we put the time and resources into them. Today I would like to explore how these programs actually do help children with reading comprehension, fine motor skills, and other areas tied to literacy.
The guests that we invite to do performances and programs at the library can pack in a crowd, especially when exotic animals are involved. Caregivers and children have a great time, but it leaves some asking how this program is suitable for a library. Many children, especially in some of our rural areas, have very little exposure to exotic animals. However, these children encounter these creatures in reading materials, science, and geography lessons. Exposure to these amazing animals, along with other concepts, ideas, and experiences provided by our performers gives children the background knowledge they need to better understand text and learning concepts they encounter at home and school. Reading comprehension improves with exposure to new information and experiences.
Our library also hosts youth programming that focuses on STEAM activities. STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, is an approach to learning that integrates concepts, standards, and topics from all of these disciplines. Intentionally planning lessons that connect the ideas, standards, and assessments of two or more disciplines helps students improve their understanding of concepts, their literacy skills, and their mathematics and science knowledge. Studies have shown that students exposed to cross-disciplinary learning have improved critical thinking skills and cognitive development. Creating works of art based on geodes or cartouches of ancient Egypt gives children hands-on experiences that better enable them to grasp the science and history concepts they encounter in more structured learning environments.
Finally, many of our storytimes and staycation programs for toddlers and preschoolers incorporate activities that help improve their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are movements that humans make with their hands, fingers, feet, and toes. They are small movements that we use and take for granted each day. Children have to develop these muscle movements, coordination, and dexterity as they grow. We can foster these skills by allowing children to use their hands for small movements such as drawing, writing, coloring, practicing with buttons, zippers, and snaps, and using safety scissors. Developing fine motor skills is imperative for children to be able to write, draw, use tools, play instruments, participate in sports, and countless other activities they encounter daily.
There are many benefits to children who participate in library activities and programs. Our staff does our best to offer a variety of activities to not only appeal to children and their families but to help foster growth in as many areas as possible. We hope you will join us at a program soon!