Resources for Early Childhood

Growing Readers

Estes Valley Library brings books into the homes of our local babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Reserve a monthly Storybook Explorer Kit for pickup in person at the Library here. Storybook explorers are picture books paired with activities, crafts and games to help make learning meaningful and fun.

Spanish/English Bilingual Baby Board Books – Pick up your book while supplies last. Titles change periodically, so be sure to check back in!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – Once a month a quality children’s book is mailed to your home for any child residing in the Estes Valley, from age 0 until age 5. Register for this free service now.

You are your child’s first teacher. There isn’t a single pathway to school readiness outside of parent involvement. We’re here to help!

Storytimes

What is storytime? Storytime helps lay the groundwork for language development in a young child’s rapidly growing brain, while helping develop an enjoyment of books and reading. Parents are encouraged to actively participate with their children. Join us at the dates or times coming up soon:

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Welcome New Baby

Parents of babies under one year may come to the Service Desk and receive a Baby Book Bag that includes a board book, rhymes and fingerplays booklet, original lullaby CD by Nancy Bell (local Music Therapist), and early literacy resources all in a handmade book bag. Choose English or Spanish.

Storybook Trail at Stanley Park

Combine reading with movement and exercise! Visit the Storybook Trail at Stanley Park. The trail follows a series of large signs along the Estes Valley Recreation & Park District path near Community Drive and Manford Avenue. Kids can enjoy an outdoor stroll and play time while reading through the pages of a seasonally-changing story.

Ready for Kindergarten Tool Kit:

Colorado’s Reading Tips for Parents
How to Register for Kindergarten
Be Ready for Kindergarten Checklist
Khan Academy Kids Reading App
Early Readers: Unite for Literacy ebooks | Guía para familias lectoras: lecturas para niños de primaria.

Parents, you’ve got this!

Simple activities like reading aloud and visiting your library will prepare your child for school and life.

Reading aloud to your child for 15 minutes a day feeds the brain with lifetime benefits.

Regular visits to the library and choosing books to take home helps develop a love of books and reading.

In the Estes Valley, we want our kids to meet their highest potential. However in recent years, many Estes Valley children arrived at school below or well below benchmarks of school readiness. With simple family activities, that number can be dialed up so that ALL of our kids arrive to school ready to learn. Let’s grow readers!

A child who engages in early literacy activities at home is a strong candidate for later success in learning.