Welcome!

Welcome to Parent Connection, the new electronic newsletter produced by the Youth Services Department of the Schaumburg Township District Library. This is the first issue containing tips on parenting, relevant library services and more. You many receive this newsletter quarterly by email or access it on our webpage at www.stdl.org/newsletters.asp. If you wish to unsubscribe at anytime, email parentconnection@stdl.org. Comments, suggestions and questions are also welcome via email.

We hope to feature guest contributors, provide answers to common questions, describe library services and highlight upcoming programs.

 

Winter Reading Program

Remember to register your children through age 12 for the 2007 Winter Reading Program, Reading Wonderland, beginning Dec. 1. Sign up at the central library Youth Services Information Desk or Hoffman Estates or Hanover Park branches. Readers must complete 10 titles, and younger children must have 20 books read to them. Prizes will be available Feb. 1-28. Teen and adult programs are also going on, so be sure to take advantage of our wonderful incentives for reading.

 

Did You Know?

The library offers free copies of Chicago Parent, the Oaklee’s Guide and Chicago Baby. These publications offer listings of events in the Chicago area, articles, coupons and more. Receive ideas for seasonal family activities through these valuable resources. The Oaklee’s Guide, minus coupons, is also accessible through our Youth Links on the Kids’ Page at www.stdl.org/artcraft.asp.

 

Valuable Parenting Links

The STDL Web site features excellent parenting links through its Kids' Page. Access our Kids' Page from www.stdl.org or www.stdl.org/kidspage. The Youth Links button is the second one on the left. There are links under 11 headings for research, information or fun. “Parents” includes “Homeschooling” and general “Parenting” headings.

Library of Congress Invites Kids

Students in grades 4 through 12 may participate in a national reading and writing contest. The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress in partnership with Target stores invites children to submit a personal letter to an author. More details are available at www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/activities/LAL/index.html. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 8, 2006.

Toy Guide Available For Special Needs Children

The “Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids" focuses on toys for children with special needs. The listing of 85 toys includes a description of how each toy can be used. It also provides information on how the products promote creativity and self esteem, as well as how the toys are suited for those with vision or hearing impairments. Experts at the nonprofit National Lekotek Center compiled the guide that is distributed by Toys "R" Us, Inc. View the guide at http://toysrus.richfx.com/catalog_toysrus/diffabled_06_t/diffabled_06_t.html.

Keep Kids Reading

A recent study shows children reduce the amount of time spent reading after age 8. The Scholastic "Kids and Family Reading Report" involved a national survey of children ages 5-17 and their parents. Parents can have a direct impact on their children's reading attitudes and behaviors, especially by reading themselves and helping kids find books they enjoy. View the report online at www.scholastic.com/readingreport.

Your Questions Answered!

We are highlighting common patron questions to enhance your understanding of our policies and procedures.

Question: Why is my child who is almost the required age for a program not allowed to attend? For example, my 5 ½ year-old was not allowed in a program for ages 6-14.

Answer: Youth Services librarians determine appropriate ages for programs based on developmental skills necessary for children to enjoy them. We realize there are some exceptions; however, we must abide by the rules to be fair to all patrons. We follow age set rules similar to those used in the public school system. For example, your child may be ready for school before age 5, but the cut-off date is Sept. 1. Even if your child's 5th birthday is Sept. 2, that will not do. It is never our intention to be mean or cause any distress to the children by limiting the age for certain programs. The best way to avoid disappointment is to bring your child only to the programs for the proper age group. We offer a wide variety of programs for all ages. Your continued support and cooperation is always appreciated.

All Kids

All Kids is a landmark health insurance program providing Illinois families with affordable and comprehensive health care for children, regardless of family income, immigration status or medical condition. Higher income families may have co-pays and premiums based on reported family incomes.

Use this site to find out about the program, apply online, download an application or contact All Kids. The site is available in both English and Spanish at www.allkidscovered.com or through the "Parents" page of the STDL Kids' Page.

How to Choose a Book to Read

Adapted from the May 2006 edition of The Reading Teacher journal:

1) The cover looks interesting, or the illustrations and title grab your attention.
2) Someone told you the book is good.
3) It is written by an author you like.
4) You've read the book before and want to read it again.
5) It is another book in a series you enjoy.
6) You are interested in the genre or subject.
7) The book has been made into a movie or game.
8) It is written at your level. If you look at the first page, you can read most of the words.
9) A teacher read it to the class.
10) You read the back cover of the book.

Every Child Ready to Read

These titles are recommended by the Every Child Ready to Read program. Ages are listed in parentheses. Books are categorized by specific skills.

Narrative Skills
Toes, Ears, and Nose! - Bauer (0-2)
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - Numeroff (2-5)
Do Kangaroos Wear Seat Belts? - Kurtz (2-5)
A Fish Out of Water - Palmer (2-5)
Rabbits & Raindrops - Arnosky (2-5)
The Gingerbread Boy - Galdone (0-5)
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything - Williams (0-5)
The Three Bears - Barton (0-5)

Letter Knowledge
My First Look at Shapes (0-3)
Click, Quack, Quackity-Quack - Cronin (0-3)
What Pete Ate from A-Z (Really) - Kalman (4-5)
Now I Eat My ABCs - Abrams (0-5)
The Alphabet Room - Pinto (0-5)
Alligator Alphabet - Blackstone (0-5)
ABC: A Child’s First Alphabet Book - Jay (0-5)

Print Awareness
Truck - Crews (0-5)
I Read Signs - Hoban (0-5)

Vocabulary
Opposites - Crowther (0-3)
How Are Peeling? Foods with Moods - Freymann (2-5)
Castles, Caves, and Honeycombs - Ashman (4-5)
Today Is Monday - Carle (0-5)
Over On The Farm - Gunson (0-5)
Who Sank the Boat? - Allen (0-5)
At The Edge of the Woods: A Counting Book - Cotton (2-5)
Baby Buggy, Buggy Baby: A Word Play Flap Book - Ziefert (2-5)

Print Motivation
Alphababies - Golding (0-2)
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? - Saltzberg (2-5)
Llama Llama Red Pajama - Dewdney (2-5)
Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire - Martin (0-5)
Hooray For Fish - Cousins (0-5)
Old Mother Hubbard - Cabrera (0-5)

Phonological Awareness
Peek-a-Book - Wardlaw (0-3)
Good For You! Toddler Rhymes For Toddler Times - Calmenson (2-3)
I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! - Beaumont (2-5)
Hush Little Baby - Frazee (0-5)
The Seals On The Bus - Hort (0-5)
Fiddle-I-Fee - Hillenbrand (0-5)
Bill Grogan’s Goat - Hoberman (2-5)
Miss Mary Mack - Hoberman (0-5)