For Parents
Read and Grow Theme Bags contain everything you need for an instant storytime. Each one focuses on a theme appropriate for children 0-5 years old and contains books, a music or video CD/DVD, a storytime extender through play, and a set of activity ideas. We have a number of bilingual Theme Bags, too! Please let us know what you like and what we can do to improve this great resource for parents, daycare providers, and pre-schools. Contact me at egray@mcl-lib.org
"Read - to - Me!" Blog for parents of children 0-5 years old continues to provide ideas for reading with young children.
Do everything you can to ensure your child is ready for school! Mid-Columbia Libraries provides excellent resources for you to enjoy with your child. Each of our branches has children's board books, picture books, beginning readers and beginning chapter books. Each branch provides fun, free programs for children of all ages and their families. Please ask your library staff for more information. This page will help you find resources for early childhood development, discover books and other materials, and link to information about child related events at your Mid-Columbia Libraries.
Flu Season
Everyone is aware of the concern about this year's flu season. Go to www.flu.gov for information on the flu, swine flu (H1N1), avian flu and more. Remember to wash your hands often and stay home if you or your children are sick.
Early Learning Resources
Our Babies Can't Wait is an initiative by the United Way for Benton and Franklin Counties Resources for early childhood learning, focusing on the years between birth through age five.
Interested in donating books? Check out these opportunities:
www.doctorsfororphans.org
http://www.waoperationthankyou.com
http://rsca.us/projects/reading-projects.html
Selected Books and Materials
Is your child learning how to read? Resources to assist selecting books and resources for your child.
Learn more about how to find books at the right reading level for your child. Watch this short video.Wondering about how children learn to read? Watch this short video explaining four approaches to teaching reading. Would you like to contribute to this page? Email Elizabeth Gray, MCL Youth Services & Outreach Director, at egray@mcl-lib.org.
Your Family
If you need help learning about medical insurance, pregnancy benefits, and other resources for you to help make ends meet, go to www.ParentHelp123.org or call the Family Food Hotline (1-888-436-6392) for help in any language.
For information on how to keep your family safe, visit www.usa.gov/Topics/Parents for information on health issues, home safety, child care and more.
College - Start planning now
For more resources visit the Teen page http://www.midcolumbialibraries.org/going-college
College Bound Scholarship Program Eligible children earn a four-year scholarship. Apply when your child is in 7th OR 8th grade.
Kid-Friendly Events
Mid-Columbia Libraries provide storytimes that help your child get ready for school. Children learn Early Literacy skills such as print awareness and print motivation and children learn basic skills such as working with other children, listening, and hand-eye coordination. Take a look at our program calendar for a list of MCL storytimes in your area.
