Early Literacy in Action

Promoting early literacy is a huge part of a children's librarian's job, but it is one of those skills that is adaptable to your style.  What I mean by this is early literacy isn't one of those skills where you do a to get to b to get to c.  Everybody does it a little differently and as long as you are doing it, there is no wrong way.  For example, a lot of librarians will share these skills in story time.  While I will model 1 or 2 in my story times, I work best in small groups or a one-on-one environment.  Like all skills, the more you do it, the better and more comfortable you will be.

I am fortunate that I have a group of 8 guinea pigs (or nieces and nephews) that I see multiple times a week and are who I practice on.  Here is a recent conversation so you can see how it works:

Chloe: Auntie, can we watch Cinderella? 

Me: Sure, Chloe.  What letters are in Cinderella?

Chloe: C-i-n-d-e-r-e-l-l-a

Me:  Does Cinderella have any of the same letters as your name, Chloe?

Chloe: C and l. My name starts with the same letter as Cinderella!


As you can see, we aren't in the library.  This is everyday early literacy in action.  We are talking about the letter and Chloe is making connections.  Think of it as a giant spiderweb-the more connections that she makes, the better prepared she will be to read.

Now think of how you can take this and do something similar at work.  Do you wear a nametag with letters on it?  Do you have a sign above your reference desk, like "information"?  If kids come up to your desk, try talking to them.  We get to see a lot of their names, whether through program registrations, placing holds with library cards, or summer reading forms.  You also don't have to start asking every single kid.  Start small, like with 1 or 2 that you know.  The more you do this, the more comfortable you will get and it will become second nature to make literacy connections.