# data[].attributes.body
Ages 2 - 4

ISBN 978-1797210841

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/maria-carluccio/welcome-preschool/

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Age 2 - 6

ISBN 978-0062878014

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/corey-r-tabor/mel-fell/

# data[].attributes.body
ISBN 9780593109694
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623828/listen-by-shannon-stocker-illustrated-by-devon-holzwarth/

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The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Temple Grandin

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The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Temple Grandin

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Age 5-10
ISBN 9781943147304
http://www.templegrandin.com/

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About the Schneider Family Book Award from American Library Association

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About the Schneider Family Book Award from American Library Association

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Honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/1/winners

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Schneider Family Book Award | Awards & Grants

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Age 2-6
ISBN 9780545392556
https://youtu.be/4UNRduYI_04

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Age 2-6
ISBN 9780316071703
https://store.metmuseum.org/museum-shapes-14012843

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Age 0-3
ISBN 9781580891424
https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/lola-at-the-library

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Age 3-7
ISBN 9780394800387
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fox-in-socks-dr-seuss/1101092169

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780062408723
https://youtu.be/RvziIgtXXFM

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-7
ISBN 9781419701801
https://www.helendardik.com

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9781442434325
https://memfox.com/books/page/2/

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With a collection of new materials, "Sesame Street" is working to help kids with autism adapt to wearing face masks and other realities of living through a pandemic.

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind "Sesame Street," unveiled a series of videos this week featuring Julia, a 4-year-old muppet with autism, as she encounters the various ways that the world has changed as a result of COVID-19.

The videos show Julia going on a virtual playdate with Elmo, practicing wearing a face mask during a video call with her dad and learning to deal with changes as she visits the park for the first time in a long time.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

In addition to the videos, Sesame Workshop is also offering articles and stories to help parents and caregivers support their kids on the spectrum as they deal with changes in routine.

"We know that children with autism and their families are experiencing unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that schedules, routines and guidelines can change with little warning," said Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president of U.S. social impact at Sesame Workshop. "The new resources are designed to help families manage unexpected circumstances, familiarize children with important new behaviors like wearing masks and incorporate practical strategies into their day-to-day lives - all with a little help from Julia."

The content released this week is just the latest from Sesame Workshop designed to help children cope with the pandemic. This spring, the organization rolled out its " Caring for Each Other " initiative with resources to help families manage anxiety and establish new routines. At that time, they also offered coronavirus-related tips specifically for families of those with autism.

The autism materials are part of the broader " Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children" initiative, which launched in 2015 and includes a range of online videos and resources and a handful of "Sesame Street" episodes focused on Julia.

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'Sesame Street' Helping Kids With Autism Learn To Wear Face Masks

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With a collection of new materials, "Sesame Street" is working to help kids with autism adapt to wearing face masks and other realities of living through a pandemic. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind "Sesame Street," unveiled a series of videos this week featuring Julia, a 4-year-old muppet with autism, as she encounters the various ways that the world has changed as a result of COVID-19.

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Children with print awareness can begin to understand that written language is related to oral language. Children who lack print awareness are unlikely to become successful readers. Indeed, children's performance on print awareness tasks is a very reliable predictor of their future reading achievement.

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Age 5-9
ISBN 9780374453664
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language

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2020 Young Children Winner
Age 2-7
ISBN 9780525514121
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/01/755845325/just-ask-says-sonia-sotomayor-she-knows-what-its-like-to-feel-different

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Age 1-6
ISBN 9780307168030
https://www.richardscarry.com/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-6
ISBN 9781452145037
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/contributor/author/xavier-deneux/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-8
ISBN 9781984852106
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-bottner/miss-brooks-loves-books-and-i-dont/

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Age 3-8
ISBN 9780803732612
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sean-taylor/huck-runs-amuck/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN: 9780811865425
http://stevelightart.com/project/trucks-go/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-7
ISBN 9781454921585
http://codebabies.com/product/web-colors

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-7
ISBN 9781930900202
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pair-of-red-clogs-masako-matsuno/1003471325

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Bilingual Reading and Musical Storytelling

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Canticos - The # 1 Bilingual Preschool Brand

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"That's not what you do with a saw!" the preschooler said, giggling, as he looked at a page from Oliver Jeffers' picture book Stuck. Soon enough, the rest of the Grow a Reader class joined him in laughter as luckless character Floyd threw increasingly unrealistic objects into a tree, all in the effort to get his kite unstuck.

Such an interaction between book and children is a rewarding thing to witness. It's also a perfect example of print motivation, one of the six early literacy skills that are important for setting your children on a successful reading path. Print motivation is an interest in and the enjoyment of books and reading. It's an important practice that needs to be reinforced throughout childhood because, according to research by Sharon Rosenkoetter and Lauren R. Barton in the journal Zero to Three, "Reading together is more significant than targeting any specific content or skills." Luckily, print motivation is also one of the easiest literacy skills to tackle.

Here are a few simple tips to help your child develop into a natural bookworm:

Keep reading time fun! Don't force your children to sit down and listen if they're not interested. Doing so is a quick way to turn reading into a chore or punishment in the eyes of your children. Try singing and dancing to a few rounds of a simple song, such as Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. If they remain uninterested, try again later.

Going hand in hand with that, don't worry about finishing a book. Engage your children as much as possible, and, when they lose interest, just continue another time.

Choose a book with a repeated phrase so your children can say it along with you.

Don't be afraid to let babies explore (mostly by chewing) board books! That's what they're made for.

Children learn a lot based on your facial expressions and body language. So, if you're having trouble keeping them interested, try having them sit facing you so that they can see your face and the book at the same time.

For some books to get you inspired, check out this list. And, always remember to have a great time reading with your children!

When George won't bark, his mother takes him to the vet where everyone is in for a big surprise.

What will each animal see next?

Keep this naughty pigeon from driving the bus while the bus driver is on break!

Is it a duck or a rabbit? Join two bickering friends and decide for yourself what this mysterious creature is.

When big, green monster slowly appears, can you make him go away?

What will happen when Goldilocks wanders into the wrong house?

Sing along with a little boy as he can't help but paint some surprising surfaces.

Find out which creatures live in the tall grass during the summer.

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"That's not what you do with a saw!" the preschooler said, giggling, as he looked at a page from Oliver Jeffers' picture book Stuck. Soon enough, the rest of the Grow a Reader class joined him in laughter as luckless character Floyd threw increasingly unrealistic objects into a tree, all in the effort to get his kite unstuck.

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Age 1-5
ISBN 9781419710223
https://www.getepic.com/book/66487797/hands-hearts-with-15-words-in-american-sign-language

# data[].attributes.body
2020 Young Children Honor
Age 4-8
ISBN 9781452167916
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jenn-bailey/a-friend-for-henry/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780312510787
http://www.priddybooks.com/books/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9781419709364
https://www.abramsbooks.com/abrams-block-book-series/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-6
ISBN 9781596436060
https://youtu.be/x4BK_2VULCU

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9780547338057
https://www.hmhbooks.com/series/sheep-in-a-jeep

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9780763615505
https://www.amazon.com/Carlo-Likes-Reading-Jessica-Spanyol/dp/0763615501

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9781442465367
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/karma-wilson/bear-sees-colors/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-4
ISBN 9780399557460
http://tadhills.com/duck-goose-books

# data[].attributes.body
Preschool - K

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

Discover encyclopedia articles, multimedia, primary sources, games, and other learning resources that support student research and reinforce curriculum standards.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Discover encyclopedia articles, multimedia, primary sources, games, and other learning resources that support student research and reinforce curriculum standards.

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"Willoughby wallaby wee, an elephant sat on me.
Willoughby wallaby woo, an elephant sat on you.
Willoughby wallaby Wustin, an elephant sat on Justin.
Willoughby wallaby Wania, an elephant sat on Tania."
Raffi may sound like he's singing nonsense (well, I suppose he really is!), but there's a method to his silliness. What he is playfully introducing and emphasizing is a pre-reading skill called Phonological Awareness. In other words, the rhyming and alliteration he so wonderfully uses help a child hear and play with the smaller sounds of words, which, in turn, lays the foundation for sounding out words when beginning to read.

Articles and studies like the one found here support the importance of this skill as a stepping stone for literacy. Caregivers can easily incorporate play that builds phonological awareness, as in the following examples:

1. Make a game of clapping out the syllables of words, starting with the child's name. Then use stomping feet, shaky eggs, an oatmeal container, etc. to make the game more interesting.

2. Sing songs, using the same instruments. Most songs break up words into one syllable per note.

3. When reading a book with rhyming text, emphasize the rhyming words while reading. "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you SEE? I see a red bird looking at ME."

4. Play "I Spy" using something that can be seen, then rhyme with a second object name that isn't necessarily visible. For example, "I spy a chair and a bear" or "I spy a leg and an egg."

5. Using a familiar song, substitute another letter at the beginning of each word to emphasize the sound of the letter as well as the alliteration. For example, "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" becomes "bed, boulders, bees and boes" or "wed, woulders, wees and woes."

6. Tongue twisters! "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" or "A tidy tiger tied a tighter tie to tidy her tiny tail" or "Granny grows grapes in her garden."

Just as studies have shown that young children learn best by playing, so Phonological Awareness is learned best by simply having fun and letting the silliness loose! And, of course, read! Children's books abound with alliteration and rhyme, but here are a few suggestions to get started.

Imaginative and alliterative sentences (Leonard's lobster loves licking lollipops!) highlight each letter of the alphabet. Encourage your children to make their own silly sentences with their names.

A simple, repeating rhyming pattern combined with an introduction to colors and animals make this a classic for the earliest learner.

The natural rhythm and rhyme of this book encourage foot-stomping and hand-clapping!

Who doesn't like pretending to jump up and down on the bed with each syllable?

Animals sit on objects that rhyme with their names. What would YOU sit on? Dad on a pad? Mom on a pom-pom?

After reading the book, ask what other words rhyme with a rhyming pattern, such as Sam, ham, etc.

Have your children guess which body part comes next (hint--it rhymes!). If they have trouble, give them a choice of body parts and repeat the rhyming word.

Read through the book once, then point out the rhyming words the second time through. If your children get the hang of it, have them guess what rhyming word comes at the end of the sentence.

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"Willoughby wallaby wee, an elephant sat on me. Willoughby wallaby woo, an elephant sat on you. Willoughby wallaby Wustin, an elephant sat on Justin. Willoughby wallaby Wania, an elephant sat on Tania." Raffi may sound like he's singing nonsense (well, I suppose he really is!), but there's a method to his silliness.

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Age 3-6
ISBN 9781626721777
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626721777

# data[].attributes.headline
Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

# data[].attributes.subject
Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

# data[].attributes.body
2019 Young Children Winner
Age 4-8
ISBN 9780763696047
https://youtu.be/ju1onrlkK4w

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780803731936
https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-6
ISBN 9780152010362
https://www.hmhbooks.com/author/Lois-Ehlert/60395

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-8
ISBN 9780375862267
http://www.katebernheimer.com/lonelybook.html

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9780394829203
https://www.seussville.com/book/43162/theres-a-wocket-in-my-pocket/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-6
ISBN 9780786852932
http://pigeonpresents.com/books/time-to-say-please/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9781782850953
https://youtu.be/6Znv_bjcyP0

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-7
ISBN 9780316797900
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jane-simmons/come-along-daisy/

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TeachingBooks | Author & Book Resources to Support Reading Education

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TeachingBooks strives to enrich everyone's experience reading children's and young adult books with our original and curated literary resources.

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Some of the best stories come from young children just when their words start to catch up to their imaginations. All we have to do is sit back and listen. Well, maybe not quite. There are things we can do to help along these narrative skills, and they are an important part of learning to read.

Narrative skills refer to the ability to describe things and events and tell stories. Research shows that using expressive language to retell stories helps children understand what they hear and read. This later helps them when they are reading. You can find more information and evidence supporting early literacy and early learning at the Books Build Connections site of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are some more ways you can develop your children's narrative skills:

With babies, name things throughout the day.

With toddlers, talk about what you are going to do, in order.

With preschoolers, have them help you fill in some of the details of a storybook by asking questions, such as "How did the story begin?" "Then what happened?" and "How did the story end?" Some stories are great for predicting what is going to happen next.

Use toys or puppets to connect to a story. They will give your children a vehicle to retell the story in their minds and in their own words.

Read a story, then let your children retell it in their own words-or act it out or draw it and explain the drawings.

Have your children tell the story by explaining the illustrations in a picture book.

Being able to tell or retell a story helps children understand what they read. Here is a list of some pictures books with fun stories to tell and retell: CRRL Grow a Reader: Narrative Skills.

One trouble after another, zanier and zanier, but it is always "Chickens to the rescue!"

Imagine a story with a boy, a pencil--and elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, gorillas, hippos, and rhinos.

A baby clown who falls off a train becomes friends with the nice farmer who rescues him.

Sometimes things don't go the way you want them to, but sometimes it ends up even better than you hoped.

It may start with just a cat and cupcake, but things keep happening.

You can use your imagination to tell the story of this wonderful adventure.

How can a little mouse help a big, ferocious lion?

You may just have to tell this story yourself, but it will be worth it.

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Some of the best stories come from young children just when their words start to catch up to their imaginations. All we have to do is sit back and listen. Well, maybe not quite. There are things we can do to help along these narrative skills, and they are an important part of learning to read.

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Age 3-6
ISBN 9780764121180
https://blog.easterseals.com/book-review-pat-thomas-dont-call-me-special/

# data[].attributes.body
2019 Young Children Honor
Age 4-8
ISBN 9781481489157
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jessie-oliveros/the-remember-balloons/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9780061127595
https://youtu.be/eG2u5rry55c

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9781442489783
https://librarymom.com/peas-please-bringing-letters-numbers-colors-and-months-alive-with-little-green-peas/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-2
ISBN 9781101937907
http://www.markpett.com/authorstrator/books/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-6
ISBN 9780786807604
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7868-0429-0

# data[].attributes.body
Baby-3
ISBN 9781524737160
https://youtu.be/hipx6HJs4XQ

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780316233552
https://www.amazon.com/Shapes-Mis-Formas-Rebecca-Emberley/dp/0316233552

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Age 2-6
ISBN 9781515830039
https://youtu.be/-LKPS8Tqyi0

# data[].attributes.body
Professional Videos done by the Screen Actors Guild

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kate, a very young kindergartner, came home from school one day and asked, "What's an 'elementoe'?" Her mother was a bit confused and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." Kate continued with a child's sense of desperation, "You know when you're going over it, over the chalkboard, when you sing that song." Kate knew that whatever an "elementoe" was, it was important, and she was right!

Many of us learned the alphabet by singing the "ABC Song." Some of us knew the song so early in our lives that we assume we just always knew the ABCs. Others credit mothers, siblings, and teachers for teaching them the alphabet and have fond memories of not only singing, but playing with alphabet blocks, flash cards, watching Sesame Street, and bringing items for Show and Tell on "letter days" at school.

At the CRRL, Grow A Reader Classes happen often with staff who know the value of Letter Knowledge. We know that while we love to sing the ABC Song, Letter Knowledge goes beyond the song. It "enables a child to recognize all the letters of the alphabet, in both capital letter and lowercase form, and to know the names and sounds of each." Please read more at All About Learning Press.

Preschoolers are eager to learn their letters and can do so in such a way that it all seems like play. It's also good to remember that all this learning can take place at the child's personal pace. Slow it down to know that an "elementoe" is actually five individual letters with their own sounds. Here are some more fun ways to experience Letter Knowledge:

Help babies and toddlers see the differences in shapes. Research shows this is a precursor to seeing shapes of letters. Explore objects like "this round, red ball" and "the blue, square block."

Play "I Spy" when you read a book. Ask your child to look for the first letter of his or her name. When you see it, say, "I spy with my little eye, the letter H for Hannah." If Hannah already knows her letter, play the game with the sound of the letter H.

Read an alphabet book with a story.

Name letters and their sounds based on things you see and do throughout the day. For example, at bath time say, "Bath starts with B; bath, body, bubbles, baby," etc.

Play with magnetic letters on the fridge or use playdough to make letters. You can also draw letters in the air with your finger.

Check out some of these books for fun with Letter Knowledge.

Charley's Alphabet is missing Little x. The other letters help solve the mystery of where Little x might be.

A delightful chant that almost brings the whole alphabet together at the top of a coconut tree.

Die-cut pages show the youngest readers the shapes of some ancient and large creatures. Learning shapes is the first step to learning letters.

The very busy peas roll through the many vocations of the alphabet!

Each letter of the alphabet has its own brief story. Some are surprisingly connected; all are fun and memorable.

A little mouse is surprisingly loud and wants the reader to join in a trip through numbers, letters and easy words.

An imaginative look at what a difference one letter can make in so many words!

Is there a place in the alphabet for Moose?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kate, a very young kindergartner, came home from school one day and asked, "What's an 'elementoe'?" Her mother was a bit confused and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." Kate continued with a child's sense of desperation, "You know when you're going over it, over the chalkboard, when you sing that song."

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Age 1-6
ISBN 9781338053142
http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2017/11/why-am-i-me/

# data[].attributes.body
2018 Young Children Winner
Age 8-12
ISBN 9780545927611
https://youtu.be/FY2vnFQ6-Qw

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-7
ISBN 9780142403877
https://youtu.be/s8sUPpPc8Ws

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9781481436991
https://www.amazon.com/B-See-Elizabeth-Doyle/dp/1481436996

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-6
ISBN 9781452112336
https://youtu.be/F_3W9rns3Pw

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-7
ISBN 9780763631413
https://www.janeyolen.com/heres-a-little-poem/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-7
ISBN 9780803741713
https://thebookwithnopictures.com/

# data[].attributes.body
Ages 2-6
ISBN 9781419701511
https://www.wired.com/2012/05/hippopposites/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780670867332
https://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/read-aloud/the-snowy-day/

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YouTube Channel from PBS

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"pbs books" "pbs book" "author interviews"

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"PBS Books" is dedicated to connecting books with audiences by engaging them in unique experiences to spark their curiosity and encourage a life-long love of...

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Phonological awareness is a broad skill that includes identifying and manipulating units of oral language - parts such as words, syllables, and onsets and rimes. Children who have phonological awareness are able to identify and make oral rhymes, can clap out the number of syllables in a word, and can recognize words with the same initial sounds like 'money' and 'mother.'

Phonemic awareness refers to the specific ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Phonemes are the smallest units comprising spoken language. Phonemes combine to form syllables and words. For example, the word 'mat' has three phonemes: /m/ /a/ /t/. There are 44 phonemes in the English language, including sounds represented by letter combinations such as /th/. Acquiring phonemic awareness is important because it is the foundation for spelling and word recognition skills. Phonemic awareness is one of the best predictors of how well children will learn to read during the first two years of school instruction.

Students at risk for reading difficulty often have lower levels of phonological awareness and phonemic awareness than do their classmates. The good news is that phonemic awareness and phonological awareness can be developed through a number of activities. Read below for more information.

What the problem looks like

A kid's perspective: What this feels like to me

Children will usually express their frustration and difficulties in a general way, with statements like "I hate reading!" or "This is stupid!". But if they could, this is how kids might describe how difficulties with phonological or phonemic awareness affect their reading:

I don't know any words that rhyme with cat.

What do you mean when you say, "What sounds are in the word brush?"

I'm not sure how many syllables are in my name.

I don't know what sounds are the same in bit and hit.

A parent's perspective: What I see at home

Here are some clues for parents that a child may have problems with phonological or phonemic awareness:

She has difficulty thinking of rhyming words for a simple word like cat (such as rat or bat).

She doesn't show interest in language play, word games, or rhyming.

A teacher's perspective: What I see in the classroom

Here are some clues for teachers that a student may have problems with phonological or phonemic awareness:

She doesn't correctly complete blending activities; for example, put together sounds /k/ /i/ /ck/ to make the word kick.

He doesn't correctly complete phoneme substitution activities; for example, change the /m/ in mate to /cr/ in order to make crate.

He has a hard time telling how many syllables there are in the word paper.

He has difficulty with rhyming, syllabication, or spelling a new word by its sound.

How to help

With the help of parents and teachers, kids can learn strategies to cope with phonological and/or phonemic awareness problems that affect his or her reading. Below are some tips and specific things to do.

What kids can do to help themselves

Be willing to play word and sounds games with parents or teachers.

Be patient with learning new information related to words and sounds. Giving the ears a workout is difficult!

Practice hearing the individual sounds in words. It may help to use a plastic chip as a counter for each sound you hear in a word.

Be willing to practice writing. This will give you a chance to match sounds with letters.

What parents can do to help at home

Check with your child's teacher or principal to make sure the school's reading program teaches phonological, phonemic awareness, and phonics skills.

If your child is past the ages at which phonemic awareness and phonological skills are taught class-wide (usually kindergarten to first or second grade), make sure he or she is receiving one-on-one or small group instruction in these skills.

Do activities to help your child build sound skills (make sure they are short and fun; avoid allowing your child to get frustrated):

Help your child think of a number of words that start with the /m/ or /ch/ sound, or other beginning sounds.

Make up silly sentences with words that begin with the same sound, such as "Nobody was nice to Nancy's neighbor".

Play simple rhyming or blending games with your child, such as taking turns coming up with words that rhyme (go - no) or blending simple words (/d/, /o/, /g/ = dog).

Read books with rhymes. Teach your child rhymes, short poems, and songs.

Practice the alphabet by pointing out letters wherever you see them and by reading alphabet books.

Consider using computer software that focuses on developing phonological and phonemic awareness skills. Many of these programs use colorful graphics and animation that keep young children engaged and motivated.

What teachers can do to help at school

Learn all about phonemes (there are more than 40 speech sounds that may not be obvious to fluent readers and speakers).

Make sure the school's reading program and other materials include skill-building in phonemes, especially in kindergarten and first grade (these skills do not come naturally, but must be taught).

If children are past the age at which phonemic awareness and phonological skill-building are addressed (typically kindergarten through first or second grade), attend to these skills one-on-one or in a small group. Ask your school's reading specialist for help finding a research-based supplemental or intervention program for students in need.

Identify the precise phoneme awareness task on which you wish to focus and select developmentally appropriate activities for engaging children in the task. Activities should be fun and exciting - play with sounds, don't drill them.

Make sure your school's reading program and other materials include systematic instruction in phonics.

Consider teaching phonological and phonemic skills in small groups since students will likely be at different levels of expertise. Remember that some students may need more reinforcement or instruction if they are past the grades at which phonics is addressed by a reading program (first through third grade).

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Phonological awareness is a broad skill that includes identifying and manipulating units of oral language - parts such as words, syllables, and onsets and rimes. Children who have phonological awareness are able to identify and make oral rhymes, can clap out the number of syllables in a word, and can recognize words with the same initial sounds like 'money' and 'mother.'

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Age 2-5
ISBN 9781506448725
https://www.beamingbooks.com/store/product/9781506448725/When-Charley-Met-Emma

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2017 Young Children Winner
Age 0-7
ISBN 9780449813379
https://www.brainpickings.org/2017/03/21/six-dots-braille/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-4
ISBN  9780375858994
http://tadhills.com/duck-goose-books

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9780394841861
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-394-84186-1

# data[].attributes.body
Age 1-5
ISBN 9781452145686
https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/round-tortilla-book-shapes

# data[].attributes.body
Age 1-6
ISBN 9780689807480
https://www.gooddogcarl.com/

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National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled

# data[].attributes.subject
National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled

# data[].attributes.body
Library of Congress
Apply for Services:
https://www.loc.gov/nls/enrollment-equipment/apply-for-nls-service/

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National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress

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NLS at the
Library of Congress

National Library Service (NLS) is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Through a national network of cooperating libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in braille or audio formats, that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge.

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NLS at the Library of Congress - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of Congress

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National Library Service is a free braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent disability

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Put simply, narrative skills are storytelling skills. You may not think of storytelling as an important life skill, but it goes far beyond entertaining friends at a dinner party. In fact, narrative skills are a complex and important part of communication, and we use them several times a day to:

Comprehend what we read

Entertain

Re-tell events

Tell others about ourselves

Give instructions

Report

Persuade

Describe

Narrative skills help us do all of these things in an organized, efficient, and engaging way. Individuals with poor narrative skills may jump all over the place, skip important details, go off on tangents, or go on and on about something. This can have negative consequences. "We need narrative skills to succeed at school or work or in relationships," says Melissa Marinelli Izquierdo, pediatric speech-language pathologist. "When you get stuck trying to communicate, it feels frustrating for both you and the listener."

The good news is that you can give your child a strong narrative foundation, starting in babyhood.
How Narrative Skills Develop in Childhood
Narrative skills take center stage in school when children need them for things reading comprehension, creating reports, and building friendships. To be successful at these tasks, they need a narrative foundation, which they get from:

Routines: As babies develop receptive language, they learn narrative skills like sequencing and predicting from daily routines. They learn the "story" of bedtime, for instance: Bath, massage, lullaby, crib. To reinforce this learning (and many other language skills), parents and caregivers can talk about these routines as they're happening.

Play: Babies and toddlers learn narrative skills during playtime, especially when an adult describes their play before they can speak. As a child develops speech, he and a parent or caregiver can "co-create" a story during play. In our BabySparks program you can find an activity called "Creating a Story," which is a great way to do this.

Reminiscing: Talking with your toddler about things that have happened is a key way to build narrative skills. Our "Recalling Adventures" is a fun way to do it.

Answering follow-up questions: A parent or caregiver can do this anytime a child talks about something: Toddler says "Cup boom!" and adult says "What happened to your cup?" Toddler says "Kitty go" and adult says "Where did kitty go?"

Reading: Reading is one of the easiest and best ways to build narrative skills. If you browse our reading activities, you will find ways to read with your baby that help him learn how to identify main characters and setting, determine how characters are feeling, and describe, sequence and predict events.

To read more about the rich ways your little one's language develops during his first two years, start here.

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Narrative Skills: What Are They & How Do They Develop?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Put simply, narrative skills are storytelling skills. You may not think of storytelling as an important life skill, but it goes far beyond entertaining friends at a dinner party.

# data[].attributes.headline
Meeting Mimi: A Story About Different Abilities

# data[].attributes.subject
Meeting Mimi: A Story About Different Abilities

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9781731604224
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meeting-mimi-francie-dolan/1131665744

# data[].attributes.body
2016 Young Children's Winner
Age 2-7
ISBN 9780449817445
https://youtu.be/BHUDh82sZYs

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9780545470834
http://www.elishacooper.com/index.php/books/detail/8_an_animal_alphabet

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN 9780374400262
http://www.anthonybrownebooks.com/books
See also My Dad

# data[].attributes.body
https://youtu.be/w4M7P0qomIo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bookshare | An Accessible Online Library for people with print disabilities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bookshare makes reading easier. People with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other reading barriers can customize their experience to suit their learning style and find virtually any book they need for school, work, or the joy of reading.

# data[].attributes.headline
Literature for Young Children: Supporting Emergent Literacy, Ages 0-8 7th Edition

# data[].attributes.subject
Literature for Young Children: Supporting Emergent Literacy, Ages 0-8 7th Edition

# data[].attributes.body
ISBN:  9780132685801

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-7
ISBN 9781534430617
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nancy-bo-flood/i-will-dance/

# data[].attributes.body
2015 Young Children Winner
Age 2-7
ISBN 9780547875071
https://youtu.be/GQWjr_YGN-Q

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-7
ISBN 9780689835681
https://youtu.be/sAnSnkIrg2E

# data[].attributes.body
Age 0-3
ISBN  9780439135252
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/authorpage/deborah-bruss.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Twitter is a great place to share ideas with your fellow youth librarians. Just recently, Jennifer Taggart, blogger at Adaptive Umbrella and author of the recent ALSC blog post Inclusive Technology Station, reached out to her Twitter followers. She needed suggestions of high contrast picture books for children with low vision to add to her library's special needs collection. It made me think-how do families with children who have low vision find library books? Unless our libraries have a special needs collection, it can be difficult for librarians and parents alike to sift through all of the picture books to find the right one.

If this is a situation you have struggled with at your library, here are some criteria you can consider when making book recommendations to families with children with low vision.

High Contrast: Books featuring high contrasting colors are inherently more accessible to children with low vision. These titles offer visual stimulation and allow the reader to more easily distinguish between the shapes, letters, and numbers in the illustrations. You will often find high contrast board books, but it's important to remember that older children may prefer a more mature book format. Some of my go-to recommendations for high contrast picture books include The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara, The Graphic Alphabet by David Pelletier, and Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vacarro Seeger.

Large Print: Large Print books are enjoyed by readers of all ages with visual challenges. Also known as "large type" or "large font," picture books that contain larger than normal print may make it easier for children with low vision to read. Look for books that utilize a consistent font throughout the story, and have extra spacing between the letters, the lines, and the margins. This will improve the readability of the text, and will help the child track more easily.

Texture: Children who have low vision need to rely on their other senses to experience their world. That's why books with added textural elements are more accessible and effective for low vision readers. Look for books that have flaps, feathers, buttons, raised objects, or textured shapes. If you're looking for books specifically for braille readers, the non-for-profit organization Seedlings makes Print-Braille-and-Picture Books available for libraries to purchase.

Pop-up Elements: Whatever the reason, not all of our libraries choose to provide pop-up books in our collections. Some libraries may have a special pop-up book collection just for in-house use, or perhaps these titles are available through interlibrary loan. If they are, consider these types of books for recommendation. Pop-up elements provide dimension to the book, so that the illustrations can be enjoyed in 3D. Two of my absolute favorite pop-up books is The Great Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner and ABC3D by Marion Bataille.

As youth librarians, it's important for us to advocate for access to books and reading for children of all abilities. So, here are a few additional suggestions when working with parents with children who have low vision:

Encourage parents to pair a book with the audio format of the same story. Readalongs and audio books are effective tools for children with vision loss because they engage the auditory sense and support the development of literacy skills.

Show parents your favorite rhyming picture books. When the child and the parent read together, parents can add rhythm by having their child clap along or slap their knees with the rhyme. This develops hand-eye coordination and is great for kinesthetic and musical/rhythmic learners.

Recommend that parents look for objects around the house that correlate to the characters, setting or the plot of the story. They can make these objects available during the shared reading experience. This provides tactile stimulation and helps the child conceptualize the story and its characters more concretely.

If you're looking for strategies for adapting books, check out this Pinterest page with lots of ideas: Adapting Books for Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision. And to learn more about serving patrons with blindness or low vision, including tips for inclusive customer service and collection development resources, check out the ASCLA Tipsheet on Blindness and Low Vision.

What are some ways that you help families with children with low vision at your library? Share your ideas below!

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Recommending Books for Kids with Low Vision - ALSC Blog

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twitter is a great place to share ideas with your fellow youth librarians. Just recently, Jennifer Taggart, blogger at Adaptive Umbrella and author of the recent ALSC blog post Inclusive Technology Station, reached out to her Twitter followers. She needed suggestions of high contrast picture books for children with low vision to add to her library's special needs collection.

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-8
ISBN 9781433829369
https://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/441B250

# data[].attributes.body
2014 Young Children Winner
Age 4-8
ISBN  9780375867125
https://www.jenbryant.com/books/inprint/bk_splashred.html

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-5
ISBN 9780448445649
https://www.carlemuseum.org/

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-8
ISBN 9781423133087
http://pigeonpresents.com/books/we-are-in-a-book/

# data[].attributes.body
Resources and Information

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Accessibility (A11Y) Style Guide is a pattern library focused on accessibility. The A11Y style guide comes with pre-populated accessible components that include helpful links to related tools, articles, and WCAG guidelines to make your site more inclusive.These components also serve as a guide for both HTML markup and SCSS/CSS code, to inform designers, front-end [...]

# data[].attributes.body
Age 5-8
ISBN 9780711247451
https://disabilityarts.online/magazine/opinion/i-am-not-a-label/

# data[].attributes.body
2013 Young children Winner
Age 3-7
ISBN 9780802854148
https://youtu.be/NQRdoOqtm34

# data[].attributes.body
Age 2-6
ISBN 9780062377005
https://safeyoutube.net/w/idah

# data[].attributes.body
Age 4-8
ISBN 9780803730960
https://youtu.be/H1p7HLr68Zc

# data[].attributes.body
Reading Resource with Leveling Options and Translation Choices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Enter the Access ID and Passcode provided by your school to access Britannica School.

# data[].attributes.body
Age 3-8
ISBN 9780307978486
https://youtu.be/X9rPe7CcfZM

# data[].attributes.body
2011 Young Children Winner
Age 2-7
ISBN 9781416950240
https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/pirate-kindergarten