Early Literacy in Action: Print Motivation

Presenter: Kelsie Nygren, Library Assistant II

Main Library

A Workshop Presented By The Children’s Department

Of The Abilene Public Library

February 12, 2015Abilene, Texas

• Print motivation is the first step in early literacy.

• It can be done with babies as young as a few months old.

• Many of the applications of print motivation can be used in one-on-one settings, or used in a baby’s class at the library or at a daycare.

So what is Print Motivation?

This means your child WANTING to read

and LIKING it!

Print motivation is having an interest in and enjoying books

and reading.

Print motivation is the first thing children will learn about reading.

• Begins with…

– First time child is read to

– First time child holds a book

– First time child sees YOU reading!

• Building print motivation requires time and patience.

Children who have print motivation…

• Ask to be read to

• Enjoy being read to

• Are more attentive during reading time

• Pretend to read and write

• Want to learn to read

• Enjoy trips to the library

How can you build print motivation?

• Begin reading early

– Even as a newborn, babies will benefit from hearing your voice

• Let children see you reading, and see you enjoying it

• Keep books accessible

• Keep reading short and fun – it does no good to go on too long and lose their interest

• Make reading fun!! Silly voices, faces, easy crafts –all of this encourages print motivation!

What does this mean for me?

• It may seem like print motivation occurs mostly between parent and child

• While this is vital, print motivation can also occur at daycares and libraries

• Baby classes can encourage parents to bring children to the library for songs and stories at an early age

• Having board books around to chew on and look through is a great option for younger children

What does this mean for me?

• Encourage parents to read to their children.

• Provide fun and easy ways for parents to encourage reading and books at home.

• Offer print handouts about early literacy, and how to handle it hassle-free.

Great Books for Babies & Toddlers

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

• If You See a Kitten by John Butler

• Peek-a-Pet by Marie Torres Cimarusti

• The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Richard Egielski

• Mommy, Where Are You? by Leonid Gore

• Hello Day! by Anita Lobel

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin

• Snack Time for Confetti by Kali Stileman

• Do Pigs Have Stripes? by Melanie Walsh

Great Books for Preschoolers

• Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill and Charles Fuge

• Animal Opposites by Petr Horacek

• Silly Suzy Goose by Petr Horacek

• Wolf’s Coming by Joe Kulka

• It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle

• Aaaarrgghh! Spider! by Lydia Monks

• Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

• Open Very Carefully by Nicola O’Byrne

• Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

Craft: Board Book

• Board books are great for babies and toddlers

– durable, soft, and chewable

This simple craft will show you how to make your own board book, to use in a simple baby storytime, or to use as a crafting idea.

Bibliography• Davis, Robin Works. Toddle On Over: Developing Infant & Toddler

Literature Programs. Fort Atkinson: Alleyside Press, 1998.

• Ernst, Linda L. Baby Rhyming Time. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2008.

• Ernst, Linda L. Lapsit Services for the Very Young II. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2001.

• Ghoting, Saroj Nadkarni and Pamela Martin-Diaz. Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library. Chicago: American Library Association, 2006

• Ghoting, Saroj Nadkarni and Kathy Fling Klatt. STEP into Storytime. Chicago: American Library Association, 2014.

• Maddigan, Beth and Stefanie Drennan. The Big Book of Stories, Songs, and Sing-Alongs. Westport: Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

• Marin, Jane. Babies in the Library! Lanham: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2003.

• Nichols, Judy. Storytime for Two-Year-Olds. Chicago: American Library Association, 2007.

Bibliography

• Early Literacy. Print Motivation. http://breitlinks.com/earlyliteracy/print_motivation.htm

• Idaho Commission for Libraries. Print Motivation. http://libraries.idaho.gov/files/LitCentersPrintMotivation_0.pdf

• Kame'enui, Ed and Deborah C. Simmons. Print Motivation Activities.http://www.state.lib.la.us/empowerlibrary/Print%20Motivation%20Activities.pdf