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View Past Issues
 Welcome to the Summer 2007 edition of Parent Connection. We hope that the ideas and resources help your summer planning.On the Newsletters page of our Schaumburg Township District Library Web site, you may view previous issues from the drop down menu below Parent Connection. STDL’s other electronic newsletters are posted here as well.
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Featured Web Sites
Benefits of Routine
Establishing a routine with your child leads to comfort and stability. Good routines are consistent, adaptable and focused on transition. A routine for each family looks different. To learn more about daily routines, visit PBS’s Whole Child. Baby Talk
Zero to Three contains tips for helping your child learn to talk. Learn practical steps for the first months of life through three years old. Summer Reading Tips for Parents
According to research, summer reading programs in school and community libraries are the most important factor in avoiding a decline in reading skills. Educators refer to this as “summer learning loss.” School age children need to continue reading over the summer to maintain reading skills. The practice of summer reading will maintain and even improve performance when returning to school.
 The Association for Library Service to Children presents tips and recommended reading lists.
The British Columbia Library Association offers excellent guidelines for summer reading. As a parent, your enthusiasm for reading and example as a role model are valuable.
Scholastic offers an online Summer Reading Program. This interactive program includes reading lists, logging completed titles and parent links.
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STDL’s Youth Services Summer Reading Program
 Registration for the Youth Services Summer Reading Program, Reading Is Out of This World!, continues through Aug. 31. Children through age 12 may sign up at the Youth Services Information Desk or the Hoffman Estates or Hanover Park branches. Readers must read 10 books, and non-readers must have 20 books read to them. Prizes will be distributed through Aug. 31. We reserve the right to substitute incentives. For more information, call the Youth Services Information Desk at (847) 923-3439. Teen and adult programs are also ongoing, so be sure to take advantage of our wonderful incentives for reading this summer.
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Summer Van
 The STDL Summer Van visits schools, day cares, parks and community sites in Schaumburg Township from June 18-July 27. There is no Summer Van on July 4. A library card is not required. Simply sign your name to check out materials, and return them the next time the van comes or to the central library or branches. This movable library brings books, puzzles, cassette and book sets, puppets and more to you! View the schedule.
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Try TumbleBooks!
 Are you among the more than 40,000 viewers of our online e-books for kids? The TumbleBook Library e-Books for e-Kids collection is comprised of more than 100 titles divided among “animated, talking picture books” for younger children, read along classics for older students, information on life skills and books in Spanish and French. Also included are over 50 puzzles, “word catch” spelling games and memory games based on the books in the collection.To use this product, click on the button found on our Kids’ Page. This is available both in the library and from home or school. No library card authentication is needed.
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Attention Dads!
 Happy Father’s Day! This year, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17. STDL links to several excellent sites for fathers. Check them out here:
1) Chicago Dads is called the “at-home dad oasis,” providing networking opportunities and functioning as an informal volunteer organization. 2) Dadcenter.com is written by dads and for dads including tips on a variety of subjects. 3) DadsAreGood.com is a comprehensive sharing site for dads of children of all ages. 4) Receive advice from Mr. Dad, a nationally recognized parenting expert.
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Your Questions Answered
 Question: How could my child practice skills and prepare for the new school year?
Answer: Purchasing a consumable workbook is a wonderful way to work on skills throughout the summer. Houghton Mifflin publishes the Summer Smarts series, available in all grade levels through Houghton Mifflin or Amazon. Summer Bridge books review skills from the completed grade and prepare for the year ahead. The library does not purchase many consumable materials since patrons may write in them, making the book less useful. Remember that most textbooks used in District 54 schools are available at the Youth Services Reference Desk for library use. Encourage your children to participate in the library’s Summer Reading Program, which is a great way to sharpen reading skills over the summer months.
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Travel Ideas
 Summer is often a season of traveling, and family vacations involve long time periods in the car or plane. Here are a few resources to make your family traveling experience enjoyable.1) The Kid’s Travel Fun Book available from Amazon offers games and entertainment for 4-8 year-olds. 2) Encourage your child to write about a vacation experience in the Kid’s Trip Diary. 3) The library has audio books available in cassette, CD and new Playaway format (MP3). The Playaway titles are small and simply require plugging in headphones. The following sound recordings are available in CD format at the library. Your whole family may enjoy one or more of these titles while driving in the car. Half-Moon Investigators by Eoin Colfer (ages 10-14) The Mercy Watson Collection, Volume 1 by Kate DiCamillo (ages 6-8) The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (ages 8-12) Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm (ages 10-14) Gossamer by Lois Lowry (ages 10-14) Airborn by Kenneth Oppel (ages 12-16) Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (ages 7-10)
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Volunteer Information
 The Youth Services Department get requests from children who want to volunteer. The library’s policy is that volunteers must be ages 12-14 and STDL cardholders. Interested students should request and complete a form, requiring a parent signature, at the Youth Services Information Desk. Projects are on an “as needed” basis, so filling out the form does not guarantee that a student may volunteer immediately. The library keeps completed forms on file for six months, and if there is a project, we will contact you. The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago provides resources and information.
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Baseball Essay Contest
 Step up to the plate! The American Library Association is sponsoring an essay contest where students may win a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Children must read a baseball book and submit a 250-750 word essay explaining why a character is inspiring. For more information, visit the contest rules.
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Homeschool Services
 In September, the Youth Services Department will host a Homeschool Open House in time for the 2007-2008 school year. We have been taking an inventory of homeschoolers in Schaumburg Township. If you would like information on our homeschool programs and resources, fill out the form at the Youth Services Reference Desk, or e-mail parentconnection@stdl.org with your name, library card number, number of children ages infant-14 and number of children 15 and up if you have not done so already. We will send an email closer to the date and promote the Open House at the library. View our homeschooling links on the Parents page of our Youth Links.
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Summer Activities
 Communities offer a variety of special activities throughout the summer. Be sure to take advantage of our library programs, and consult Chicago Parent and Oaklee’s Guide for ideas. Current issues of these publications are available at the library. These resources include information on museums, pools, the Fourth of July activities, festivals and much more.
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Craft Corner
 Each issue of Parent Connection features a simple project to make with common materials. This season, make Colorful Tissue Butterflies.
Materials: White construction paper Multicolored tissue paper Diluted glue Paintbrushes Pipe cleaners Process: 1) In advance, cut the white construction paper into the shape of a butterfly and tissue paper into a variety of small shapes. 2) Allow your child to select pieces of tissue paper. Use the paint brushes to spread diluted glue on the butterfly and attach pieces of tissue paper. Overlap the colors, and cover the entire butterfly with shapes. 3) If desired, bend a pipe cleaner across the center to make antennae. This idea was adapted from Discount School Supply which features craft activities and supplies. You may view a photo of the completed project and print directions.
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