More Curiosity List

I’m sharing the stuff I want to learn this year. See yesterday’s post on Teaching and Tech topics, and check in tomorrow for Children’s Literature!

LITERACY

A major tactic for my library district is to promote the library’s role in building early literacy skills in children and in teaching parents, caregivers, and other adults how critical early learning is to a thriving community. I’ve learned a lot from some incredible mentors, but haven’t studied literacy and reading acquisition formally, so I’m always discovering more that I can learn.

10. How can parents tell a child is ready to move from pre literacy to emergent literacy?
11. What are great advice and resources for families raising kids bilingually?

I have some pat answers for these questions but want to deepen my understanding. When I win the lottery I’ll probably want to get a Master’s in Reading.

12. What are the basics (ha!) of dyslexia?

Yes, I know this topic is huge, but I need to start somewhere! Learning more about how children learn to read successfully has made me interested in what happens when our brains get in the way of that process.

13. Do follow up reading for my ALSC class on reading level formulas.

I took the ALSC online class “Reading Instruction and Children’s Books” last fall and want to finish the recommended reading!

STORYTIME & PROGRAMMING

I love storytime, and I love it when I can get past the detail-oriented planning I need to do each week to think more about the big picture.

14. What are the components of an effective beginning reader storytime?

We want to create more K-1-2 literacy-based programming at my library! I love Hi Miss Julie’s posts on her beginning reader storytimes.

15. Develop a meta-list of basic storytime activities to use as a training/planning tool

There’s lots of storytime resource books that provide grab-and-go resources. I want to step back and think about the components of storytime more broadly so I can help storytime providers can feel more comfortable building their own storytime plans and creating their own storytime activities.

16. Brainstorm training ideas & resources related to storytime competencies

A big project for us last year was creating a list of storytime competencies for our staff. So of course the next step is providing resources for how staff can improve in each of those competency areas.

17. What are developmentally appropriate art projects for preschoolers?
18. What are some handmade/homemade toys/manipulatives we can add to play kits?

We added “Learning through Play” time after storytime at all our branches last year–toys and manipulatives and time for free play. What are some great activities, toys, craft projects we can provide that will get parents excited about how easy and inexpensive it is to provide robust activities/experiences for their kids at home?

19. Can a knowledge of gaming/game design inform how we create great programs at the library for kids?

My husband teaches in digital media and I love our discussions about gaming and learning.

20. Learn more Spanish storytime songs!

I don’t know Spanish but had fun learning Los pollitos dicen last year!

Come back tomorrow for more list! What’s on YOUR Curiosity List?