NORTH Vancouver City Library has launched a new program to help preschoolers get ready for learning.
PREPARE aims to foster a love of language and reading by nurturing six core skills and linguistic experiences including print motivation, phonological awareness, vocabulary, narrative skills, print awareness and letter knowledge.
During eight-week sessions, starting in May, groups of one parent/ caregiver and one child will be led by a library staff member in various literacy-based activities such as reading books, singing, storytelling, games, crafts and technology exploration. Parents will also get useful tips and at-home practices.
A library press release states that, in Canada, one child in four begins kindergarten without the skills needed to learn how to read. The release also says that, according to the Canadian Council on Learning, 48 per cent of Canadians have skills below the internationally accepted standard of literacy required to cope in a modern society.
PREPARE sessions are available for babies (age one to two), toddlers (age two to three) and preschoolers (age four to five).
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents can book their space by phoning 604-988-3480, or visiting the library's children's information desk at 120 West 14th St.
