The Love Of Learning Begins On A Parent's Lap

Grandpa Reading to Addison

Parents are a child's first and best teacher. They help the child develop a desire for learning and teach the basics of learning, such as the letters, numbers and reading. A child's learning process begins with parents reading out loud to them. By reading to their child and becoming regular library users, parents help their child develop language skills and start them on the path to success in reading and learning. Lamplighters of Montmorency County have set up a new program at the Lewiston Public Library for parents, grandparents and child care providers of young children.

Basket O' Books - Take Home Books for Toddlers provides parents with the opportunity to bring their toddler into the library to pick a board book to take home to read then return it to the library and select another book.

The purpose of the program is to get toddlers interested in books, reading and learning. It also gets them familiar with the library and teaches the responsibility of borrowing books from the library.

While their child selects a book, parents are encouraged to take a look at the books on the Lamplighter bookshelf which is located above the Basket O' Books. The following books related to babies, toddlers and preschool children are available for check out from the Lamplighter bookshelf:

• HELICOPTERS, DRILL SGTS & Consultants - Parenting Styles & the Messages They Send
• HELPING YOUR CHILD - Through Early Adolescence
• LOVE & LOGIC MAGIC FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD - Practical Parenting from Birth to 6 Years
• PARENTING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC - Teaching Children Responsibility
• THE PEARLS OF LOVE & LOGIC FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
• THE ONE MINUTE SCOLDING - The Amazingly Effective Approach To Child Discipline

The Basket O' Books, Take Home Books for Toddlers is a part of the Lamplighters' Cradle to Kindergarten Program. This purpose of this program is to help parents prepare their child for school. This preparation will prevent a child from feeling vulnerable in a teacher-directed learning environment of rules, other kids and books.

Another Cradle to Kindergarten program is Books for Babies which is a literacy program that acquaints parents of newborns with the important role they play in the development of their child. Parents of newborn babies are given a kit that includes baby's first library card, baby's first book and a bib. This program is jointly sponsered by Lamplighters and Friends of Lewiston Library.

LAMPLIGHTERS is available to help parents get their children ready for school and to keep them ahead of the curve during their school years.