Wednesday, October 2, 2024
LAKE WORTH — The Mary Lou Reddick Public Library continues its 25-year tradition of story time with local preschool children and a free program to promote kids' reading before they enter school.
Director of Library and Community Services Lara Strother emphasized the importance of early reading.
“The most important predictor of school success is being read to at home during early childhood,” Strother said. “Early literacy skills have a lifelong impact on educational and occupational success.”
Story time has been going on for 25 years at the Mary Lou Reddick Public Library in Lake Worth. Strother reads to preschool-age children every Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. and picks out books based on a theme for the kids to learn about.
“I look for themes to match the library’s picture storybook collection,” Stother said. “The best books to read to preschoolers are simple stories with colorful, bold illustrations and interactive elements.”
Tri-County Reporter was invited to come to story time Sept. 25 and the theme for that day was space. The kids read two books that went along with the space theme called “Penguinaut” by Marcie Colleen and “Snail in Space” by Rachel Bright.
Strother decided to use the space theme after coming across a creative craft idea that could work for the little kids.
“Today’s space theme was inspired by a craft idea I came across for glow-in-the-dark puffy paint moon art,” Strother said. “You can make your own puffy paint at home by mixing together shaving cream, food coloring and glow in the dark Elmer’s glue.”
Another program the library conducts is called “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.” This is a free program designed to promote early reading before kids enter school.
“1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” is a program designed to help parents prepare their children for one of life’s big milestones, kindergarten,” Strother said. “We invite families to participate in this free program with the goal of reading 1,000 books with their newborn, infant, toddler or preschooler before he or she starts kindergarten.”
Strother emphasized the importance libraries have on our communities, to this today.
“Libraries are sometimes thought of as a thing of the past, usually by people who don’t take advantage of the many free resources we offer to the community,” Strother said. “We provide a lot more than just books, although books are more popular than ever. We also offer free eBooks, magazines, audiobooks, databases, Wi-Fi, study and collaboration rooms, hotspots for checkout and year-round programs, events and classes.”
