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Ready to Read Michigan

WWW.MICHIGAN.GOV/READYTOREAD

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Ready to Read Michigan

The Library of Michigan's Ready to Read Michigan program is designed to support public library staff as they model early literacy skill development directly to families and caregivers with young children (ages birth to 5).  The Ready to Read Michigan program supports public libraries as they engage in outreach to families and caregivers, as well as early childhood centers, schools, and daycares in their community.

Ready to Ready Michigan Program Goals are to:

  • Equip public library staff with information, skills, and tools needed for them to promote early literacy in their community.
  • Empower public library staff to engage Parents and Caregivers of children, ages 0-5, in Michigan with the 5 Practices of Every Child Ready to Read.
  • Engaging Early Childhood Educators with early literacy practices through songs, rhymes, and books.

Website for public library staff: Ready to Read Michigan is designed to support public libraries with their early literacy work. 

For training details or questions, please contact Cathy Lancaster, Youth Services Coordinator at the Library of Michigan, at 517-335-8129 or LancasterC5@michigan.gov.  

Materials

Additional Ready to Read Michigan (RTRM) Reproducible materials can be found on our new Ready to Read Michigan website designed to support public libraries early literacy work - feel free to download, use and make available in your library for families. 

Not a public library?

Schools, Great Starts, Head Starts, and early childhood organizations or daycares are invited to contact their local public library for resources and to schedule an outreach visit or in-house library visit!

Support Materials from Past Years of Ready to Read Michigan:

2020: A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes, featuring a video recording of Kevin Henkes sharing his story.

2019: Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson.

2018: I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison

 


Support

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services with additional support provided the Library of Michigan Foundation.

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WKAR Videos

Thanks to WKAR (wkar.org) for filming author Lisa Wheeler and LM's Youth Services Coordinator Cathy Lancaster, along with students from a Lansing-area elementary school. The segments featured the Public Library Association's five practices of early literacy: Talk, Read, Write, Play, Sing.  Below are the links to the videos, hosted on WKAR's Family page.

Five Easy Reading Practices for Kids!
Reading with your child motivates children to want to learn how to read.

Reading 'Talk Time' for Kids!
'Talk Time' with your child develops strong oral language and reading skills.

Singing Builds Reading Skills! 
Singing along with your child at reading time helps develop their vocabulary development.

Play Time Makes Reading Fun! 
Incorporating play into reading time engages children while developing their storytelling.

Shared Reading Fun with Kids!
Shared reading is the single most important activity to help a child learn to read.

 


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Contact
Cathy Lancaster at lancasterc5@michigan.gov or 517-335-8129 if you have any questions about Ready to Read Michigan or other public library youth services programs.

Updated 7/3/2024