Extreme Makeover for Our Library Loving Fish!

Spring is here and with spring comes thoughts of spring cleaning and decorating. Our fish are no exception! You'll be noticing some changes to our fish tank starting this week. Perhaps they got some ideas from Pinterest (maybe they took the class at the library?) or talked to some of their fish friends, but their digs are getting an upgrade!

Please excuse our "hard hat area" and rest assured that the fish are in good hands and will be happily overlooking the remodel. We are expecting to unveil their new habitat, including the plan to "go natural" by having living coral put into the aquarium on Friday, May 24th.

If you haven't been here lately, now's a great time to stop by with the kids and show them the new design. The picture to the left shows the fish you can see in our tank.

A Change is A-Comin'

Today, one of our lovely staff is getting married.  You may have noticed her excitement building as her wedding came closer when you saw her at storytime! Sometimes we walk down the aisle toward change willingly (like her), but sometimes we drag our heels into change hoping it doesn't disrupt the status quo too much.  Children can approach change in the same ways adults do, and there are things you can do to help them through it.  Whether it is a marriage, a divorce, a new sibling, or the loss of a family member or pet, there are lots of books to help your child cope with the changes going on around them.

Here are some great books (some for even the youngest listener or reader):

Brand New Baby Blues by Kathi Appelt

The arrival of a new little brother has his big sister singing the blues.

Harry and Hopper by Margaret Wild

One day when Harry comes home from school, his faithful companion Hopper isn't there to greet him, in a touching story about the process of healing after losing a beloved pet.

Nana's Getting Married by Heather Hartt-Sussman

A young boy disapproves of his grandmother dating her boyfriend, Bob, because she spends more time with Bob than with him, and he tries to find ways to separate them before their wedding.

Standing on My Own Two Feet by Tamara Schmitz

Addison's parents are divorced and he lives in one house with his mom and another with his dad, but one thing he knows above all is that both his parents love him and they always will.

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

During the summer of her divorced father's remarriage and her sister's wedding, fifteen-year-old Haven comes into her own by letting go of the myths of the past.

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

 

Remember that even if change is happening to a friend, your child might be able to better understand what they are going through by reading a book.  We also have lots of titles in the Parenting Collection to help you in your efforts to assist your children.  Stop in and ask about them today!

The Eyes Have It

Babies spend a lot of time staring at things. As their vision develops, newborns like to look at contrasting colors and shapes. The pictures in many children's books have strong color contrast to aid in this development. Your baby will enjoy gazing at them. Prop open a book with a bright illustration at the side of your baby's bed. They will enjoy the picture!

These books have bold illustrations which babies will enjoy:

 

Machines at Work, Picture Book by Byron Barton

My Car, Board Book by Byron Barton

Ten Black Dots, Picture Book by Donald Crews 

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Picture Book by Lois Ehlert 

"More More More", Said The Baby, Picture Book by Vera B. Williams

Red, Blue, Yellow Shoe,  Board Book by Tana Hoban

Damaged Items at the Library

Icky Sticky Books and Scratched DVDs, Oh My!

Have you ever checked out a DVD only to bring it home and find out it is so scratched it won't play?  Every started to read a picture book to your family only to get to the last page and see that half of it has been torn off or scribbled on with crayon?

As materials are returned, we can't always see if something is scratched, scribbled on, or torn.  That is why we count on you to tell us when something is wrong.  There are several ways you can help us keep the collections great.  After all, the library's collection belongs to everyone.

One way is by filling out a 'damaged slip' in our CDs and DVDs when you come across a scratched item.  If you bring something home and it doesn't work, we want you to tell us.  Otherwise, it will go back on the shelf and someone else will end up taking it home and being frustrated.  Taped inside of each CD or DVD case you will find a 'damaged slip' with space to let us know if you come across something that doesn't work.  If we know it is damaged, we can either try to repair or replace it.

Another way you can help is by bringing a damaged material to the desk.  This most often would happen with a book or magazine.  If you come across a book that has been scribbled in or torn, instead of just putting it in the drop bins in the parking garage or sticking it in the slots in the library, let a library staff member know.  If we know a book is damaged, we can either try to repair or replace it.

If you bring something in that is damaged, we can even put the item on hold for you so that you can either get another copy, or a new copy when it arrives.  We won't automatically think you ruined our book and charge you for it, we appreciate your efforts in helping to keep our collection clean for everyone. 

We try our best to keep the collection neat, but sometimes things slip by us.  We are counting on you to help let us know when there is something that needs our attention.  We know it is frustrating to bring something home that is damaged and not be able to use what you check out.  Thanks for all of your help!

Preparar a su hijo bilingüe a leer

“Leer junto cada noche es uno de los mejores métodos de garantizar que los niños triunfarán en la escuela.” 

Alma Flor Ada, autora de Guía para padres y maestros de niños bilingües.

¿Quiere que su hijo bilingüe vuelva a ser buen lector? Las bibliotecarias de la Des Plaines Public Library le ofrecen las siguientes recomendaciones de las investigaciones de la American Library Association (ALA), y experta del bilingüismo, Alma Flor Ada.

¿Qué es lo más importante que puedo hacer para a preparar mi hijo a leer?
Enséñele que leer es un placer. Los niños que asocian la lectura con experiencias positivas son más motivados a aprender a leer. Disfruten de los libros juntos.

¿Cuándo debe aprender a leer un niño?
Aprender a leer empieza al nacer. Según ALA, no importa si su hijo tiene cuatro días o cuatro años, nunca es demasiado temprano ni tarde ayudarle a desarrollar habilidades de alfabetismo. Más adelante ofrecemos actividades sugeridas que usted puede practicar con su hijo desde la infancia hasta el kínder.

¿Debe mi hijo aprender a leer primero en un idioma?
Es más divertido y fácil aprender a leer en la lengua que se domina, así que se puede adivinar el significado de las palabras mientras se descifra los sonidos. Empiece con el idioma que el niño conoce bien.

Si el niño entiende bien el español, ¡tiene una ventaja enorme! Es más fácil aprender a leer en español porque la estructura es más simple que la del inglés. Si el niño muestra interés, no dude en enseñarle a leer en español en casa. Los expertos dicen que leer en español no confunde el proceso de aprender a leer en inglés, al contrario, lo acelera.

Cinco prácticas para preparar un niño a leer:

• Hablar – Describa a su infante las actividades cotidianas mientras las hace. Haga preguntas a su hijo. Cuéntele cuentos y le pida contarle cuentos a usted.
• Cantar – Cantar, rimar, y jugar a las palmas ayuda a su hijo aprender a romper palabras en sílbales. ¡Visite nuestra colección de música infantil en español para recursos!
• Leer – Lea a su hijo cada día. Permítale doblar la página cuando quiere. Señale a las palabras mientras lee. Platique sobre los dibujos. Busca oportunidades de leer en el mundo cotidiano como señales en la calle, etiquetas en el supermercado, etc.
• Escribir – Anime a su hijo a dibujar para desarrollar los músculos que usará para escribir. Haga libros con su hijo. Enséñele a reconocer y escribir su nombre. Hagan listas de la compra juntos.
• Jugar – En juegos imaginativos los niños desarrollan la habilidad de expresarse. Anime a su hijo a jugar por darle objetos simples como juguetes, una caja de cartón, por ejemplo, o ropa vieja para disfrazarse.

Recursos:
Cada Niño Listo para Leer, un panfleto publicado por la ALA.
Guía para padres y maestros de niños bilingües por Alma Flor Ada.

National Autism Awareness Month

Did you know that April is National Autism Awareness Month? It was started in the 1970s to bring awareness to Autism.

The Autism Society defines autism as a "complex neurodevelopmental disability" that usual appears in a child's first 2 years. It affects their ability to interact and communicate with others. Autism is a "spectrum disorder" which means that it affects people differently and to different degrees. Currently 1 in 110 Americans are being diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

National Autism Awareness Month only lasts for April, but our resources are here for families every month of the year.

• BOOKS. We have a large collection of books for parents dealing with particular issues relating to autism. The books are located within our Parenting Collection on the 2nd floor. Here are some selected titles from the collection: The Official Autism 101 Manual  and Parenting Your Child with Autism.

• BOOKS FOR KIDS. We've also got some great titles for kids to read about how to understand their condition and some tools for dealing with issues, or for kids who want to understand what their classmates may be experiencing. Check out The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (and Their Parents) and How to Talk to An Autistic Kid.

• MAGAZINES. We subscribe to Autism Asperger's Digest and Autism Spectrum Quarterly. Find them in the Parenting Collection.

• ADAPTED BOOKS. Titles are located in the Parenting Collection. These little known treasures are traditional books that have been modified with picture communication for children to have been understanding of what's happening in the story. The pages are laminated and in a binder to make it easier for them to hold, and there are textured foam "fluffers" that separate the pages to make it easier for them to turn the pages.

• AUTISM RESOURCE CENTER. This wiki, which the library started, is a site for parents or caregivers where you can find links for local resources such as dentists, family support, or therapists. You can find the link to the wiki here.

• RAINBOW TIME. Our monthly program with Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy where trained therapy dogs help children work on motor skills, interaction, and communication. The children interact with the wonderful aides and dog handlers, while their parents get a chance to check out the library's collection.

• OTHER RESOURCES. We have a copy of Boardmaker that you can use on your computer to make picture communications like the ones your child might use in the classroom. 

If you are a parent of a child who has autism and want to suggest a book for our collection or an area resource for our wiki, please feel free to email us, call us at 847.376.2839, or stop by and talk to us at the 2nd floor information desk the next time you're in.

Chess + Library = Big Brain

With study after study touting chess playing with an increase in cognitive and social skills in children- it seems chess is in the equation. That’s the kind of news that gets us excited and springs the library into action! We are delighted to introduce our newest offering (thanks to funding by the Friends of the Library): a library family chess club, Chess Mates! The club will meet the first Saturday of September through May, no registration required. Next one is tomorrow, April 6^th from, 1:30-2:30 pm.  Instructors from CheckMatesUSA will be present to teach chess at all ages and skill levels but a basic understanding of chess is required.  Chess for the family allows parents and siblings to enjoy brain boosting benefits of chess too.

In May, we are having a Beginner Chess Workshop, a 3 consecutive Saturday afternoon series for children who would like to learn how to start playing chess. Visit the Events calendar or call the Youth Services Desk  847-376-2839 for more information on any chess program. We hope to see you here!

Brain abilities and other benefits of playing chess at Des Plaines Public Library

• Memory skills
• Exercises and develops of various parts of the brain
• Problem solving
• Concentration, planning, strategizing
• Creativity
• Reading skills
• Social skills
• Communication/ sportsmanship
• Self confidence/ self worth / coping skills

Here are some links to studies on chess and the brain! 

Ten Big Brain Benefits of Playing Chess

Chess Also Develops Psychological Skills Says New Study

Chess Improves Academic Performance

Note: Above blog image source: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/