ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood pre-school and kindergarten children and their families are invited to a fun event called the Furry Friends Party, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21. The event is a come and go, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ellinwood School/Community Library.
The program is designed to focus on resources and activities available at the library that encourage early childhood literacy, from infancy through the first years of elementary school. Many of the offered programs go hand in hand with the Kansas State Library’s 6 by 6 program which emphasizes the six skills that parents and caregivers can help children develop before they learn to read.
During the upcoming “Furry Friends Party”, children will enjoy games, crafts, and take home treats. The activities for children will coordinate with the library fall programming theme of Furry Friends.
The library will also introduce parents and family members to a number of new literacy initiatives. New programs and resources available to families include the following:
•AWE computer station for children. The AWE Computer is all-in-one digital learning station for children ages 2-8. The computer features over 60 educational software titles that use engaging graphics and intuitive touchscreen interaction.
•Alpha Bags Program. Alpha Bags are a new initiative that allow children to checkout bags of books and activities focused on the letters of the alphabet. Designed to teach basic letter recognition and phonics, the bags are funded through the Ellinwood Public Education and Library Foundation and the Daulton Doll Memorial.
•Books for Babies Program. The library will launch its new Books for Babies program, which introduces parents of newborn babies to the importance of early literacy activities in the home. The program provides a baby with the child’s very first book, as well as other gifts. Ellinwood parents can register for this program. This program was partially funded through a grant from the Central Kansas Library Program.
•Tumblebooks for Kids. Tumblebooks is a free, fun interactive way of reading books on-line. Featuring outstanding children’s authors and titles, children can read along and read aloud books, and engage in the animations and learning activities.
•Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Every child enrolled in this program will receive a free hardback book every month until their fifth birthday. Dolly Parton created her Imagination Library to guarantee access to books and to inspire parents to read to their children. Families must live in the Ellinwood zip code area to be eligible for this program. This program is funded through the Ellinwood Public Education and Library Foundation and the United Way of Central Kansas.
•Story Hour. Children ages 3, 4, and 5 are invited to join Story Hour, a fun library activity that focuses on books, and learning activities for preschool children. Parents may enroll their child for either Thursday or Friday mornings, 9:30 am to 10:15 am. The program begins Oct. 10.