Welcome to the companion Wiki to the workshop series from the Texas State Library & Archives Commission - Early Literacy Kits on a Dime. This space was created in order to jump-start efforts to promote early literacy skills development within Texas library environments.


Photo courtesty of Dawn Vogler. An animal sounds early literacy activity placed at Wells Branch Public Library on a wall that was in poor condition, but was a very well used reading nook for children and caregivers.

Is your library working to incorporate early childhood literacy into its programming and overall space?

If not, consider the resources on this wiki as a starting point to:

• Work early literacy skills training for parents and children into storytimes
• Provide educational materials on the six early lit skills around your library
• Make "kits" or create "workstations" to promote fun and play while learning
• Engage children and caregivers for maximum impact on pre-reading skills development
• Make checkable kits available to your community for early literacy engagement in the home
• Redesign your library to include more early literacy centers
• Make your space new and different on the cheap!

Early literacy kits are activities that live in the library that children can play with in order to learn vital pre-reading skills. Many public libraries incorporate early literacy skills training into their storytimes, but might not have time to do more. These kits serve to enhance pre-reading skills attainment, but don't require the direct interaction of a library staff member (once you get them going as a concept). The kits are meant to create a fun experience for children and caregivers to do together, while promoting the six early literacy skills independent of staff. Signage and branding is used to promote early literacy skills activities to caregivers so that they can then engage their child with a given activity. Another great benefit of the kits is that they convey vital early literacy information to parents or caregivers to build awareness of how their child learns. They can they take this information and apply it at home.

Kits can be created out of easy to find, inexpensive materials. They are meant to be temporary in nature and therefore, a rotating bunch of kits can be used to enliven a library space that isn't looking good anymore or can simply be a way to create new experiences for your public. Please share your experiences here!




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