Ever heard the saying that parents are their child’s first teacher? Your family, whether it’s made up of two or twenty members, is the best place for your young child to learn about the world. If you add siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, best friends, foster siblings, and step family, then there are even more Read More
Parent Center
Books You’ll Love for On the Go
Backseat A-B-see by Maria Van Lieshout (Toddler, Preschool) This fun version of the classic alphabet book uses many different kinds of street signs that your little one may see from their point of view in the backseat. Can you guess what sign would work for L? Hint: it’s the place you can find this book! ▸ Read More
Ways You Can Help Your Child with Literacy on the Go
There are so many great ways you can engage your kiddos while you’re out and about. Here are a few suggestions: Keep books in the car Make up silly songs about what you’re doing together Talk about your day together using your five senses to describe new places and experiences Listen and sing along to Read More
Literacy on the Go
August in Alaska is busy! There’s still so much time to spend outdoors, to enjoy vacation, and to prepare for fall. For some families, August is also time for children to transition to kindergarten. Whether you’re at home doing chores, out running errands, or on a family trip, your child can learn so much about Read More
Activities for Wordless Books
There are so many fun activities you can do with wordless books. Try one of these the next time you pick one up to read with your child! Act Out: Make your face imitate the character’s expression throughout the book. Can you match the emotion? Children feel emotions. It’s our job to help them notice Read More
Wordless Books You’ll Love
Journey by Aaron Becker (All Ages) (See also Quest and Return, books 2 and 3) A lonely young girl uses a magical red marker to draw a door on her bedroom wall. When she goes through the door, she finds herself in another world, where she experiences adventures. Told using intricate illustrations, the girl continues Read More
Ways You Can Help Your Child Learn From Wordless Books
It can take a while to get used to using wordless books to “tell” stories. Start by “telling” the story and then ask your child open ended questions to keep it going. Take turns offering details and “telling” the story. Remember there is no right or wrong way to “tell” a story from a wordless book. Read More
Wordless Books
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So what about a whole book of pictures? Wordless books are told entirely through their illustrations. Sometimes they have just a few words or none at all. And while you might think it’s a little tricky to read a book with no words, sharing wordless books Read More
Activities for Bilingual Books
There are so many great ways to expose your young child to new languages! Here are a couple suggestions. Attend a local baby sign language class or bilingual storytime. Parenting with Providence: Baby Sign Time Anchorage Public Library – Spanish Bilingual Storytime Use songs to explore new languages. Try singing a nursery rhyme you know Read More
Bilingual Books You’ll Love
Besos for Baby by Jen Arena and Bianca Gomez (Infant, Toddler) Spanish Everyone in the family has a kiss for baby, even the perro and gato. This appealing story will delight readers whether or not you speak Spanish. ▸ Get it at the Library Picking Berries by Hanna Lindoff (Preschool) Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian Enjoy beautifully Read More