Photos of people going to and in the library will show your little one that the library is fun for all ages. The text is written so that it can be sung to the tune of “The Muffin Man,” so it's easy to sing along and get your child excited about going to the library.
Before, During and After Reading
Use the title to help your child make a prediction as to what the story might be about. You might say: The title of the story is Let’s Go to the Library. Where do you think the people will go in this story?
Introduce the front cover of the book and talk about what you see. You might say: Look at the photograph on the front cover of this book. Photographs are like the pictures that Mommy takes of you with her phone. Where do you think the people are going in this photograph?
Touch the words on the page as you read or sing them. Move your finger from left to right beneath the words. This will help your child begin to distinguish print from pictures.
Bring attention to rhyming words. You might say: Tall, and ball are rhyming words. Add motions, movements and real objects to help emphasize words that rhyme. For example, with the rhyming words tall and ball, stand up and stretch your arms up high for tall and then show a ball. See if you can get your child to stand up and hold the ball and say: “tall, ball; . . . tall, ball; . . . tall, ball”
Introduce new vocabulary words. Define or explain new words like share, borrow or library card.
Set up a pretend library and role play with your child. Gather crayons and index cards to make pretend library cards. Set up a selection of books and a comfortable reading space, bring your pretend library card and “go to the library!”
Plan a visit to the library and take photos of your visit. Create your own memory of when you went to the library together.
More to Do
Teach nursery rhymes to practice phonological awareness skills with your child. The text in this book can be sung to the tune of “The Muffin Man.” Serve some muffins for breakfast to add an extra special experience. For example: Look, today we are going to have muffins for breakfast. I know a song about muffins and it goes like this:
Do you know the muffin man, Oh Yes, I know the muffin man,
The muffin man, the muffin man, The muffin man, the muffin man,
Do you know the muffin man, Yes, I know the muffin man,
Who lives in Drury Lane? Who lives in Drury Lane.
Here are some more examples.
Pat –A- Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a cake, baker's man,
Bake me a cake just as fast as you can.
Pat it and roll it, and mark it with B.
And put it in the oven for baby and me.
Or
I’m a Little Teapot
I'm a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle, here is my spout
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout
"Tip me over and pour me out!"
Learn more about what the library has to offer you and your family, and browse more recommended books for toddlers 18 to 23 months.
