Most people underestimate how early a child’s language development begins. Interactions with a child begin to impact language skills beginning not at 6 months, not at 3 months, but from the day the baby is born. That doesn’t mean you should try to recreate preschool in your home. Helping your child be ready to learn to read is as simple as Talking, Singing, Reading, Writing, and Playing!

JMRL’s Winter Reading Program is designed to help you do just that. Pick up a Winter Reading Activity Sheet at any JMRL location, or download it here: Activity Sheet. As you complete the fun activities, let your child color in the bunnies. When all 11 are complete, bring the sheet back to the library and your child can choose a free book. So brush off your memories of nursery rhymes and head to the library for some fun books to share. The program runs from February 1 to March 2 for ages birth to 5 years old.

For more early literacy activity ideas, check out the Family Literacy Calendar at DayByDayVA. Also, coming soon to JMRL – 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.