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List of books by indigenous authors that may be available to check out through a local library.

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10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Literacy at Home – National Center on Improving Literacy

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Engaging in literacy activities at home can help develop your child’s reading ability, comprehension, and language skills.

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This is a general outline of the milestones on the road to reading success. Keep in mind that kids develop at different paces and spend varying amounts of time at each stage. If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor, teacher, or the reading specialist at school. Getting help early is key for helping kids who struggle to read.

Parents and teachers can find resources for children as early as pre-kindergarten. Quality childcare centers, pre-kindergarten programs, and homes full of language and book reading can build an environment for reading milestones to happen.

Infancy (Up to Age 1)

Kids usually begin to:

learn that gestures and sounds communicate meaning

respond when spoken to

direct their attention to a person or object

understand 50 words or more

reach for books and turn the pages with help

respond to stories and pictures by vocalizing and patting the pictures

Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

Kids usually begin to:

answer questions about and identify objects in books - such as "Where's the cow?" or "What does the cow say?"

name familiar pictures

use pointing to identify named objects

pretend to read books

finish sentences in books they know well

scribble on paper

know names of books and identify them by the picture on the cover

turn pages of board books

have a favorite book and request it to be read often

Early Preschool (Age 3)

Kids usually begin to:

explore books independently

listen to longer books that are read aloud

retell a familiar story

sing the alphabet song with prompting and cues

make symbols that resemble writing

recognize the first letter in their name

learn that writing is different from drawing a picture

imitate the action of reading a book aloud

Late Preschool (Age 4)

Kids usually begin to:

recognize familiar signs and labels, especially on signs and containers

recognize words that rhyme

name some of the letters of the alphabet (a good goal to strive for is 15-18 uppercase letters)

recognize the letters in their names

write their names

name beginning letters or sounds of words

match some letters to their sounds

develop awareness of syllables

use familiar letters to try writing words

understand that print is read from left to right, top to bottom

retell stories that have been read to them

Kindergarten (Age 5)

Kids usually begin to:

produce words that rhyme

match some spoken and written words

write some letters, numbers, and words

recognize some familiar words in print

predict what will happen next in a story

identify initial, final, and medial (middle) sounds in short words

identify and manipulate increasingly smaller sounds in speech

understand concrete definitions of some words

read simple words in isolation (the word with definition) and in context (using the word in a sentence)

retell the main idea, identify details (who, what, when, where, why, how), and arrange story events in sequence

First and Second Grade (Ages 6-7)

Kids usually begin to:

read familiar stories

"sound out" or decode unfamiliar words

use pictures and context to figure out unfamiliar words

use some common punctuation and capitalization in writing

self-correct when they make a mistake while reading aloud

show comprehension of a story through drawings

write by organizing details into a logical sequence with a beginning, middle, and end

Second and Third Grade (Ages 7-8)

Kids usually begin to:

read longer books independently

read aloud with proper emphasis and expression

use context and pictures to help identify unfamiliar words

understand the concept of paragraphs and begin to apply it in writing

correctly use punctuation

correctly spell many words

write notes, like phone messages and email

understand humor in text

use new words, phrases, or figures of speech that they've heard

revise their own writing to create and illustrate stories

Fourth Through Eighth Grade (Ages 9-13)

Kids usually begin to:

explore and understand different kinds of texts, like biographies, poetry, and fiction

understand and explore expository, narrative, and persuasive text

read to extract specific information, such as from a science book

understand relations between objects

identify parts of speech and devices like similes and metaphors

correctly identify major elements of stories, like time, place, plot, problem, and resolution

read and write on a specific topic for fun, and understand what style is needed

analyze texts for meaning

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This general outline describes the milestones on the road to reading and the ages at which most kids reach them.

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Links from here include:

adding in vegetables and fruits

managing screen time

helping with picky eating

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Mealtime should be a time for eating - not for disciplining, arguing, sharing distressing news, doing other activities or watching television. The best mealtime atmosphere is bright, clean, relaxed and free of distractions.

Present Food in an Appealing Manner

Use a variety of bright food colors and textures, as is appropriate for your child's age

Offer finger foods or bite-sized foods for toddlers

Avoid extreme temperatures

Avoid strong flavors, as a child's taste buds are more sensitive than those of an adult

Make Mealtime Interesting

Try serving meals in a variety of interesting ways:

Meals by candlelight

Barbeque or picnic

A "just finger foods" meal

Breakfast foods for dinner

Do Not Force Your Child to Eat

Forcing children to eat reinforces poor eating habits such as eating when they aren't hungry or cleaning the plate when they're already full. Rewarding your child for eating, punishing your child for not eating, or forcing your child to eat can reinforce poor behavior. Besides causing an unpleasant mealtime environment, these behaviors can create a picky eater or result in your child becoming overweight.

Do Not Bribe Your Child to Eat

Food provides nutrients that our bodies need to grow and be healthy. Tricking your child into eating can place other meanings on food. Your child may then crave certain foods, avoid some foods or generally become picky or obsessive about food.

Address Misbehavior at Mealtimes

If at all possible, ignore the misbehavior. If poor behavior continues, remove the food calmly without comment until the next mealtime or snack time. The goal is for your child to learn that mealtime is for eating, not playing.

Avoid Serving Meals When Your Child is Overly Tired

Your child may need a short nap before a meal. A tired child will not be able to focus on eating and practicing good mealtime behavior.

Develop a Mealtime Routine

Children need a meal routine to depend on, so they don't worry about when the next meal is coming. If children know they'll have a snack between meals, they will be less likely to overeat out of fear they'll be allowed to go hungry before the next meal.

Allow Your Child to Help

A child can help with setting the table, folding napkins, clearing the table, washing the dishes or other tasks. Your child also can help with grocery shopping and preparing meals. These tasks can be opportunities to teach your child about healthy eating.

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Mealtime should be a time for eating - not for disciplining, arguing, sharing distressing news, doing other activities or watching television. The best mealtime atmosphere is bright, clean, relaxed and free of distractions.

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Toys and Games Instructions: Lending Library

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Toys and Games Instructions: Lending Library

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Click on the titles of each to link directly to these pages:

Boaz Bike Ministry: Collects, repairs, and gives away used bikes to Salem residents.

The Northwest Hub: Offers affordable/income-based repair services and access to transportation.

Free Bikes 4Kidz (FB4K) Portland: While based in Portland, they operate in the region to provide bikes to kids.

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OHSU GR Handout - Difficult Conversations

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Developmental Evaluations at OHSU's CDRC

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Developmental Evaluations at OHSU's CDRC

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Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) is OHSU/Doernbecher Children's Hospital outpatient center for all things disability! They provide evaluations and treatment for infants through adulthood.

So, what if my child is referred for an evaluation there? What does that mean, and what will happen?

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Toddlers are more and more aware of their surroundings, so distractions might disrupt them at bedtime. Their growing imaginations can start to interrupt sleep too.

Now more than ever, a simple and consistent bedtime routine is a parent's best bet for getting a sleepy toddler snugly into bed.

How Much Sleep Does My Toddler Need?

Between the ages of 1 and 2, most kids need about 11-14 hours of sleep a day, including one or two daytime naps.

At around 18 months, or sometimes sooner, most toddlers condense their two naps into one afternoon nap. A toddler who fights the morning nap is probably ready for just an afternoon nap.

Where Should My Toddler Sleep?

Your 1- to 2-year-old should still sleep in a safe, secure crib. Before a child's first birthday, blankets are not recommended because of the possible risk of SIDS. But at this age, it's OK to put a light blanket in your child's crib. Also, security items like "lovies" (a small soft blanket or stuffed animal) are OK and can provide a lot of comfort. But don't put any extra-large soft toys or stuffed animals in the crib.

Watch out for items with ties or strings that could wind up around your toddler's neck. Be on constant lookout for nearby objects your child might be able to reach from a standing position in the crib: curtains, window blind pulls, pictures, or wall hangings are all possibilities.

Your curious toddler may be looking for ways to climb over the crib railing to "break out" of the crib. Don't leave a lot of toys that your child could pile up and climb onto. And remember: No bumper pads - a child might use those as a step at this age.

If you have an active climber who is getting out of the crib, make sure that the crib mattress is on the lowest possible setting. If it is, and your toddler is still trying to scale the crib, consider moving him or her into a toddler bed or "big kid" bed with a side rail. It will be hard at first to keep your toddler in it, but at least you'll know your child won't be hurt climbing out of a crib. For added safety, install a gate in the doorway of the room so that your child can't wander around the house. Be sure your child's room is childproofed.

Why Does My Toddler Wake at Night?

Your toddler may begin waking up at night. Sometimes it's because of discomfort, such as teething pain or illness. Sometimes it's due to mild separation anxiety: "Where's Mommy? Where's Daddy?"

Dreams and nightmares can begin to affect toddlers, who have a hard time telling these from reality. Be mindful of books your toddler sees just before bedtime, and keep the content mild. If your child doesn't have a comfort item like a lovie or blankey, consider getting one to help provide reassurance.

Time spent with screens (like a TV or tablet) can disrupt a child's sleep. That's one reason why health experts recommend:

limiting screen time

keeping toddlers away from screen devices in the hour before bedtime

not keeping devices in a child's bedroom

Check for other causes of your toddler's nighttime awakenings. Toddlers often push off the covers at night, so in the colder months you might want to dress your child in heavy pajamas for warmth.

Is there too much noise coming from another room? Toddlers will learn to sleep with some noise, but a loud TV or too much conversation close by can be disrupting. Check out your child's room from a noise perspective. Make it someplace you would sleep soundly and chances are you'll make it more comfortable for your toddler.

How Can I Help My Toddler Sleep?

By now you've probably found the right combination - like a warm bath and a bedtime story - to help your child relax. Stay with it and don't let it get too long. The backrub that seems like a treat now may not be so fun when it's demanded night after night for longer and longer periods. Decide how many drinks of water you'll allow and how many times you'll get the toy that's thrown out of the crib in defiance of bedtime.

Get used to setting the rules and sticking to them. This not only helps your child get more sleep now, but also helps you later if other, more serious discipline problems arise.

If your toddler wakes in the middle of the night, you'll still want to quietly and quickly provide reassurance that everything is OK and you are close by. But too much interaction can backfire, so keep your nighttime "visits" brief and boring for your toddler.

If you have an early riser, help keep sunlight from waking your toddler by keeping curtains or blinds closed. Also try putting a few safe toys in the crib - they may keep your child busy in the morning.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Talk with your doctor about any sleep problems that seem severe to you, such as recurring nightmares.

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Toddlers are more and more aware of their surroundings, so distractions might disrupt them at bedtime. Their growing imaginations can start to interrupt sleep too. Now more than ever, a simple and consistent bedtime routine is a parent's best bet for getting a sleepy toddler snugly into bed.

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Many parents find their toddler's bedtime to be the hardest part of the day. Children this age often resist going to sleep, especially if they have older siblings who are still awake. The good news is that there are ways you can try to help make bedtime go more smoothly.

Use these tips to help your toddler develop good sleep habits:

1. Set up a quiet routine before bedtime to help your child understand that it will soon be time to go to sleep. Use this time to read them a story, put on quiet music, or give them a bath. It may be tempting to play with your child before bed. However, active play may make your child too excited to sleep.

2. Be consistent. Make bedtime the same time every night. This helps your child know what to expect and helps them establish healthy sleep patterns.

3. Let your child take a favorite thing to bed each night. It's OK to let your child sleep with a teddy bear, special blanket or favorite toy at this age. This often helps children fall asleep, especially if they wake up during the night. Make sure the object is safe and doesn't have any choking hazards like buttons or loose ribbons. Stuffing or pellets inside stuffed toys can also be dangerous.

4. Make sure your child is comfortable. Take care of child's needs before bedtime so they don't use them as reasons to avoid going to sleep.They may want a drink of water, a light left on, or the door left slightly open.

5. Do not let your child sleep in the same bed with you. This can make it harder for them to fall asleep when they are alone.

6. Avoid returning to your child's room when they call out. Instead, try the following:

Make sure they are safe and well before bedtime. If they are safe and well, there is no need to go into their room while they sort out how to get themselves back to sleep.

Keep in mind that children's main goal is to get you to appear. So if you appear for any reason, even just for "checking," they will expect you to come each time they call out.

7. Give it time. Helping your child develop good sleep habits can be a challenge, and it is normal to get upset when a child keeps you awake at night. Try to be understanding. A negative response by a parent can sometimes make a sleep problem worse. Keep in mind that children need the time and opportunity to find out how go back to sleep on their own when they wake up during the night.

Adapted from Sleeping Well: Tips for Parents of Babies and Young Children (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics)

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sleep~ bedtime~ nap~ toddler~ preschool~ parents~ night~ trouble~  toddler sleep~ toddler bedtime~ toddler cosleeping~ toddler bedwetting~ toddler bed

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Toddler Bedtime Trouble: 7 Tips for Parents

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Many parents find their toddler's bedtime to be the hardest part of the day. Children this age often resist going to sleep, especially if they have older siblings who are still awake.

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Science-backed early learning for children from birth to age 5. Short tips and activities.

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Vroom: Early Learning - Apps on Google Play

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Information and support about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, especially with support for Indigenous communities in mind.

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Our Children Are Sacred - Apps on Google Play

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An app designed for professionals and caregivers of individuals with FASD.

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An app with short lessons about helping little kids thrive, and support challenges like anxiety, hyperactivity, and disruptive behaviors.

More information from Lurie Children's Hospital here: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/little-ones/little-ones-mobile-app/

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‎The Little Lessons App was created by Maggie Pucker, LCSW, MS, and Miller Shivers, PhD of Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health’s Lurie Little Ones program. Maggie, as a social worker, and Miller, as a psychologist, have ov…

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Tips for Feeding Picky Eaters | American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

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https://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/

https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

https://urbangleaners.org/food-finder/

Even more thorough: https://multco.us/programs/food-assistance-multnomah-county , with a list of food assistance programs.

Milk Crate Kitchen-Can submit request for a meal online. Request form opens every other week. https://www.milkcratekitchen.org/

Portland Free Fridge Program-Community based mutual aid effort to increase free food access through a network of independent fridges and pantries. Their mission is to redistribute existing resources by providing access to free food and supplies through community fridges and pantries. https://sites.google.com/view/pdx-free-fridge/home

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FLASH ALERT:
Oregonians Now Have Access to Full November SNAP Benefits. SNAP recipients are encouraged to continue checking the balance on their EBT Oregon Trail Cards. Read more on updates regarding SNAP benefits in Oregon here.

*Para ver esta página en español, haga clic aquí.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is afederal nutrition assistance program for low-income individuals and families to buy groceries. Visit Multnomah County's SNAP websitefor more information or help applying.

Free School Meals: All school districts in Multnomah County are offering breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students during the 2025-26 school year! No application is required. For more information check in with your school office.

Summer Meals for Youth: Children ages 1-18 years old can enjoy a free meal with friends and stock up on free groceries during summer break at several locations across the state. Visit SummerFoodOregon.org to find a site near you.

Summer EBT: Summer EBT helps families buy food for their school-aged children each summer. If you qualify, you will get $120 for each eligible child to spend on groceries. Visit sebt.oregon.gov to learn more and apply.

Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels operates dining centers In addition to home delivery service, and invites all older adults 60+ to come and enjoy fresh, healthy lunches Monday through Thursday. For more information, visit mowp.org to register for meal delivery or to finddining centers near you.

Community Partner Food Assistance Programs

Oregon Food Bank: Use the Oregon Food Bank's to find over 100 food pantries, free food markets or hot meal programs near you.

PDX Free Fridge: Free food in fridges and pantries are across Portland. Take what you need, leave what you don't, give what you can. Find them here.

Equitable Giving Circle: Hosts a "Weekly Free Market for Black & Brown Folks", along with other health and wellness community events. Find the details here.

Need help finding other food options or help finding other resources?
Connect with someone at 211 Info to learn more about food assistance and find options near you!

Interested in volunteering to support food security efforts? Find opportunities here.

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We seek to reduce food insecurity in Multnomah County by connecting residents with SNAP benefits, meal programs, low-cost farmers markets, food pantries, and more.