Fall 2022
 Early Literacy Newsletter
In this Issue
Fall 2022 Early Literacy Newsletter
Library News
Feature: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Back to School Anxiety?
Additional Resources for Parents
Library News
Indoor Storytimes at CBCPL
Weekly Schedule September - December 2022:
Infant Storytime (birth-1 year) Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Toddler Storytime (1-3 years) Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime (3-5 years) Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
 
Storytime is offered weekly as a drop-in program: first come, first served at the Corvallis Public Library's Main Meeting Room. Space is limited due to the room capacity and to provide a positive, safe environment for all. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. (No need to register.) 
 
*No storytimes on these dates: 9/22, 10/5, 10/13, 10/26, 11/24, 12/1
 
Saturday Stories! 1st Saturdays of the month:
September 3, 2022
October 1, 2022
November 5, 2022
 
Join us for a 20 minute, all-ages family storytime at the Corvallis Public Library's Main Meeting Room! Short stories, songs, and rhymes will be shared. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. (No need to register.)
 
Family Music Fun!
 
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Saturday, December 10, 2022
10:30 a.m.
Corvallis Library
Main Meeting Room
 
Come sing, clap, and move your body to music with Marisa in this interactive music program designed for families with children between the ages of 2 to 10.
Oregon's Creatures of the Night! 
 
Saturday, September 17, 2022
10:30 a.m.
Corvallis Library
Main Meeting Room
 
Owls, bats, and cats, oh my! Children and their families are invited to come learn about Oregon's nocturnal creatures from National Park Rangers.
 
Science Saturday:
Construction Time!


Saturday, October 29, 2022
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Corvallis Library
Main Meeting Room
 
Join us for a special themed storytime followed by hands-on activities designed for preschool-aged children. The focus of this event is construction and it is designed to encourage the exploration of science, math, and literacy.
Firefighter Storytime!
 
Friday, September 30, 2022
9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Corvallis Library
Main Meeting Room
 
Join Corvallis firefighters and Sparky for storytime. Firefighters will be sharing some of their favorite books on fire safety! No registration needed.  
 
 
First Readers Book Club
Registration begins on the November 1st at noon. Check the website for details. 
 
The First Readers Book Club is for kids who are reading early reader books and features a book club kit every other month. Each kit includes a paperback copy of an early reader book, discussion questions, and a craft. Available while supplies last. Books and supplies are provided by the Friends of the Library. 
 
November First Readers Book Club Title:
Racing Ace: Drive It! Fix It! by Larry Dane Brimmer

Ace has built her very own car and is getting ready to race. After oiling the wheels and kicking the tires, Ace sets out to win. But when a missing part and a rut in the middle of the track threaten to keep her in last place, Ace has to think fast to finish strong -- and come out on top. 
 
 
Craft Kits To Go! 
Kits to Take Home and Explore
 
STEM Catapult Kit
Available in September. Pick up at any branch or request one for delivery. Visit CBCPL online or contact your branch library for details!
 
While supplies last, get a kit to explore the science of force, energy, motion, gravity, and angles with this fun hands-on STEM catapult kit. 
 
Feature: National Hispanic Heritage Month
 
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated this year between September 15th and October 15th.
 
"We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success." To find out more, please visit hispanicheritagemonth.gov. 
 
Read, Talk & Play Together:
Explore the art of Diego Rivera with the National Gallery of Art's "Art Tales for Pre-K".
https://www.nga.gov/learn/teachers/lessons-activities/pre-k/diego-rivera.html 
 
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Books
 
Back to School Anxiety?
Early Literacy to the Rescue!

How can you use the 5 Early Literacy Skills (talk, read, sing, write, play) to help your young child cope with separation or school anxiety? Allowing opportunities to talk through worries, creating a routine for goodbyes and pick-ups, and nurturing social skills can help. Here are some tips and examples:
 
Talk:
Ask your child -
  • What are some fun things you look forward to at preschool, childcare, or school? Help guide your child based on their interest.
  • What worries do you have? Where do you feel your worries in your body? (For example, "does your tummy hurt when you are worried?") What can we do about it?
  • Can you draw a picture to show how you feel?
Read:
Reading about how characters in a book deal with their anxiety may give a child an opportunity to talk about their own anxieties and come up with possible strategies to cope with or relieve their anxious feelings.
 
Try sharing one or more of these Back to School books recommended by CBCPL's Early Literacy Coordinator, Peik-Kuan:
 
What If...? : answers to calm first-day-of-school jitters
by Sonali Fry

Perfect for any child about to start preschool or kindergarten, this picture book starring Elmo and his Sesame Street friends helps relieve those first-time jitters by answering common questions. 
Ready, Set, School!
by Jacquelyn Mitchard

After Rory the raccoon conquers his fear of spending an entire night away from home, he is prepared to tackle the challenge of starting school just one week later, whether his parents are ready or not.
Jake Starts School
by Michael Wright

No one can pry a frightened Jake away from his parents on the first day of school, and so the three must watch as his classmates have fun until, at the end of the day, his teacher finally gets him to let go
Butterflies on the First Day of School
by Annie Silvestro

Rosie can't wait to start kindergarten--she's had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie's mom reassures her that it's just butterflies in her belly, and she'll feel better soon. Much to Rosie's surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth! As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.
Lena's Shoes are Nervous : a first-day-of-school dilemma
by Keith Calabrese

Lena prepares for her first day of kindergarten and reports that while she is excited, her favorite shoes are too nervous and must be convinced by her supportive father that the day is actually going to be lots of fun.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama--The star of Llama Llama Mad at Mama--experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
Noni is Nervous
by Heather Hartt-Sussman

Feeling anxious about everything from playdates and global warming to opening juice boxes and embarking on her first day of school, little Noni forges a tentative friendship with an outgoing little girl who helps her discover that she can belong and succeed in a world that once filled her with dread.
Norman's First Day at Dino Day Care
by Sean Julian

Trying to make himself invisible on his first day at Dino Day Care, Norman, with the help of a little magic and a new friend, finally finds the courage to join in the fun! 
School is Coming
by Dany Aubert

Martin and his mother talk about Martin's worries about starting school, while his little sister wishes that she was old enough to go, too.
Mommy in My Pocket
by Carol Hunt Senderak

When a little girl is too nervous about leaving her mom on the first day of school, she lets her imagination run wild and pictures a day with Mommy in her pocket.
The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Penn

A mother raccoon teaches her son a way to overcome his fear about going to kindergarten for the first time.
Love
by Corrinne Averiss

A companion to Joy and Hope subtly addresses a child's relatable feelings about anxiety, separation, death and grief in the story of a young girl who worries that her family's love might not stretch as far as the school she is attending for the first time.
Mouse's First Day of School
by Lauren Thompson

In a lively book filled with simple, energetic text and sweet illustrations, Mouse decides to hide inside a bright red backpack and ends up making a journey to school; while there, he discovers a world beyond his imagination, exploring colors, letters, numbers and finding new friends along the way.
Move Your Mood! : by Brenda S. Miles, PhD and Colleen A. Patterson, MA ; illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
by Brenda Miles

"Provides a fun active way to learn about emotions, linking movement with mood."
Sing:
Find or create a song you can sing while getting ready in the morning, such as the Alphabet Song, or sing this to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell":
  • Get out of bed and go
    Get out of bed and go
    Hi-ho the derry-o,

    Get out of bed and go!
Other possibilities for lyrics to sing include:
  • Let's change our clothes and go...
  • Let's brush our teeth and go...
  • Let's eat breakfast and go...
Teach your child a song they can "hear" in their head to provide encouragement. Try "The Brave Song" by Baby Joy Joy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlSilsUy2EM  
 
Write:
  • Make a list of school supplies to shop for.
  • If there is separation anxiety, what are some things that may help? Make a list or draw pictures. For example, hello and goodbye routines or a special drawing, photo, or note that your child can bring with them.
Play:
  • Role play with your child at home how their school day may look. Create a chart that show the schedule of the day if you know it in advance. Create a drop-off and pick-up routine, and practice it though play. Visit the school, bus stop, drop-off and pick-up points.
  • Through pretend play, teach social skills such as raising a hand to ask questions, waiting in line, asking for help from the teacher, saying hello to new people. This can be done between an adult and child, between siblings, or between child and stuffed animals.
  • Stress balls or fidgets with different textures can help some children who need a physical outlet for their emotions. Make home-made ones, or go shopping and let you child pick some. 
Additional Resources for Parents
Feeling Separation Anxiety (Sesame Street in Communities)
 
Games and Activities for Kids with Anxiety
 
Helping Preschoolers Cope with Separation Anxiety (PBS)
 
How Play Helps: Calming Stress & Anxiety in Kids + 6 Activity Ideas
 
Parenting Success Network
 
Parenting Tips from Bright By Text
 
Pollywog: Prepared Parents, Healthy Families
 
Vroom: Build Brains with Vroom
 
Scholastic BookFlix

Video storybooks that are paired with nonfiction ebooks designed for preschool through 3rd grade. Collection includes book sin English and Spanish. Free for CBCPL patrons!
 
Access BookFlix today! 
 
Looking for more to do? See all programs on our online calendar.