Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library

We have adapted our Story Times to reflect the recent research described in "Every Child Ready to Read" (ECRR). ECRR introduces parents and their children to the six early literacy skills that are the basic building blocks for learning to read. We demonstrate how you can develop these skills in your child in a fun and entertaining way. We encourage you, as your child's FIRST and BEST teacher, to use the activities shared at the library to enrich your child's environment. Story Times involve listening, singing, rhyming, moving, following along, and responding. Each child is unique and will participate when ready. Our main goal is to foster a love of language and books in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The six pre-reading skills are:

Loving Books (Print Motivation)

Using Books (Print Awareness)

Seeing Letters (Letter Knowledge)

Telling a Story (Narrative Skills)

Making Sounds (Phonological Awareness)

Using New Words (Vocabulary)

ECRR is a partnership of the Public Library Association, the Association for Library Service to Children and the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Story Time

The Massillon Public Library's Story Times include a variety of books, storytelling, rhymes, fingerplays, songs and movement activities. We provide informational handouts to encourage parents and caregivers to continue Story Time activities at home. This helps to reinforce early literacy skills. Each week, a take-home craft further reinforces the ideas learned or discussed in Story Time and also provides fun and creativity. In order for us to prepare materials, we require that you pre-register for Story Times. We hold sessions that are approximately six weeks long, beginning in early January, late February, early September and late October.

Family Story Time (all ages) with Mrs. Brant is on Mondays from 7-7:30 pm

Tots and Toddlers Story Time (2's and 3's) with Miss Green is on Wednesdays
from 10:15-10:45 AND 11:15-11:45 am

Tyke Tales Story Time (0-23 months) with Mrs. Haney is on Thursdays from 10:15-10:35 am

Preschool Story Time (4 & 5, not yet in K) with Mrs. Haney is on Thursdays from 11:15-11:45 am

Watch for other special events throughout the year!