We Read Together
Resources | Books to Read Together | Early Literacy Events | Helpful Tips
News
We Read Together article appears in ALTAFF's newsletter, The Voice.
About
We Read Together is a family literacy program designed to encourage development of Early Literacy Skills in children from birth to five years old. The Six Basic Early Literacy Skills are: Phonological Awareness, Letter Knowledge, Print Awareness, Vocabulary, Print Motivation, and Narrative Skills. This program is based on the American Library Association's Every Child Ready to Read campaign.
We Read Together is composed of literacy workshops, programs for children, special collections, outreach materials, computer equipment, and devoted library space. This project first kicked off with Wee Readers 2008, a summer reading club designed specifically for children under 5 and their care givers, and continues indefinitely. Explore this webpage for more details.
We Read Together was made possible by a (FY 2009) Literacy Grant from the New Jersey State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through its Grants to States program.
 
Web Resources
Library Resources
Click on a link below to view the library's holding on each topic.
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Books to Read Together
Click on a link below to view a printer friendly list of our favorite books.
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Early Literacy Events
Check our online calendar to verify dates.
Baby Time: Most Tuesdays 10:15 AM
Together we will read books, sing songs, act out rhymes, and play instruments.
Afterwards play with new friends and read books with your loved one. This short
storytime is followed by a playgroup. For infants - 2 years old.
Toddler Time: Most Thursdays 10:30AM & 11:15AM
Join us for a fun activity, complete with stories, songs, and musical instruments for all! This storytime is slightly longer. For children 1.5 - 3.5 years old.
Preschool Storytime: Most Wednesdays 10:30AM & 1:30PM
Hey kids – got the sillies? Shake ‘em out at the Library with a fun-filled session of
stories, songs, instruments, and a craft. For children 3 - 6 years old.
All Storytimes: Siblings are always welcome. No registration, just drop in.
Consult our Calendar of Events for more information, or contact a Youth Services Librarian.
Past Events
Tips for Raising Your Rookie Reade
Dr. Richard Selznick, director of Cooper Learning Center, discussed skills and tips for Early Literacy Learning. Prevent reading problems before they can even begin!
How to Choose Books for Early Literacy
Fran Gates and Nancy Hammill, from Cooper Learning Center, discussed how to choose great books for your young children, and provided reading tips and strategies for encouraging early literacy.
The Shut-down Learner
Dr. Richard Selznick discussed his new book as well as strategies to help
academically discouraged children. Book signing followed.
Reading Picture Books
Attendees will learn to read with pizzazz! As in their earlier workshops, Fran and Nancy discussed early literacy in this engaging workshop for caregivers.
Literacy Games with Preschoolers
Fran Gates and Nancy Hammill lead this special program filled with fun literacy games for four and seven-year-old, with a caregiver.
Reading: It’s Not Just for Moms
Join us for this workshop especially for dads.
About Dr. Selznick and the Cooper Learning Center:The Cooper Learning Center, part of Cooper University Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics, specializes in working with children with learning, attention, and behavioral problems. Dr. Richard Selznick, Ph.D., is the Director of the Cooper Learning Center. He a licensed psychologist, reading specialist, certified school psychologist, and special education teacher with over 20 years of experience. Additionally, Dr. Selznick has taught as many universities. He currently teaches part-time at St. Joseph’s University.
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Tips to Help Your Child Be Ready to Read
For All Children:
Read to your child 20 minutes a day. Let your child see you reading something everyday. Encourage your child to speak and to ask questions. Sing songs and read nursery rhymes. This will raise your child's phonological awareness. Keep it fun. If your child is unhappy, try at a different time.
Babies
Ask your baby questions and pause for "answers." Tell your baby what you are doing through out the day. If you are using board or cloth books, let your baby hold the book. Cuddle while you read together.
Toddlers
When your toddler asks questions, add extra information to your answers. Add information to the phrases your child says. For example, if your child says "cat," you say: "the small, striped cat." Ask your child to repeat. Ask your child what is happening in pictures. Let your child turn the pages. Point to words as you read them. Cuddle while you read together.
Preschoolers
Have your child draw a picture. Together, write the words for the images your child has drawn. Let your preschooler choose books to read. Examine a picture dictionary together. Ask your child to tell you stories.
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Logo Contest
Mount Laurel Library's We Read Together Logo Contest winner is Lee Kancher. Congratulations, Lee!
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