Hop Into Spring!

With the beautiful weather we had all through March, it seems like Spring has been here forever! And yet it's just starting.

This month, we're talking about writing at the library. Writing is an important skill that will help your child get ready to read. Writing helps with learning the names and sounds of letters, as well as telling stories and developing those narrative skills. Writing also helps to teach children that print has meaning and to make them more aware of the print around them. And so many things can help with learning to write!

Many craft activities are actually preparing children to write. Coloring (even those early scribbles!), drawing, and cutting all help to develop the muscles in a child's fingers and hands and help to develop eye-hand coordination. So all those crafts that your child loves to create are doing more than just decorating your refrigerator!

Meet Library Lion! He lives in the children's section of the Cedar Lake Branch Library. And he loves to hear from children.

When you come into the library, please take the time with your child to write him a letter and place it in the "Library Postal Service" box. He likes pictures, too. If your child can write his letters, let him do as much as possible. If he is more comfortable telling you what he wants to say and having you write it down, Library Lion will love that as well! Encourage your child to sign his own name, even if he is the only one who knows that's what it is. Library Lion doesn't mind!


Stay tuned all month for more writing activities that you can do with your child. And don't forget to "Hop Into Spring" with these library programs:

All Month: Recycle It! - Children of all ages can make a craft from recycled materials. The craft will change every week, so come back often!
Monday, April 2: 4pm - Snack and Plan - Teen Advisory Board (TAB) for teens ages 12 and up will meet to eat, play games and plan programs.
Tuesday, April 3: 10:30am or 1pm - Preschool Story Hour for 4 and 5 year olds. We know it's Spring Break, so it's ok if older brothers and sisters tag along.
Thursday, April 5: 4:30-6pm - Amazing Legos. Come build a Lego masterpiece!
Friday, April 6: 10:30am - Mother Goose on the Loose for babies and their caregiver.