Libraries play a vital role in preparing young children for school by providing interactive and playful programs in which children can develop social, emotional, math, science, and executive function skills and practices. Research has shown these skills to be important for later academic and lifelong success.

The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit provides free, online, research-based resources, created specifically for library staff. These resources make it easy for you to enhance what you are already doing, with eye-catching tips, planning tools, program surveys, activity ideas, family conversation starters, social media posts, and more.

This webinar introduces library staff to the background and components of the Toolkit, along with testimonials from practitioners about how they are reimagining school readiness in their own libraries. Come away with ideas and strategies for supporting your families and communities.

The Toolkit was developed by the Bay Area Discovery Museum in collaboration with the California State Library.

Presented by:

• Michelle D. Weissman Randall, PhD, Head of Research and Evaluation, Bay Area Discovery Museum
• Julia Shaheen, Literacy Manager, Stark Library (OH)
• Kate Greene Smith, Youth Services & Special Projects Coordinator, Tennessee State Library & Archives

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to sign in to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.
  

Related Resources and Links

• Bay Area Discovery Museum Research & Publications
  
• Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit
• Position Paper (pdf)
  
• Overview of Key Findings (pdf)
• Promising Practices Booklet (pdf)
• Program Planning Sheet (pdf)
• Program Reflection Sheet (pdf)
• Bookmarks
• “Time to Try” Math Activities
• Flyers
• "Family Conversation Starters" Posters
•  Social Media Posts and Pictures
• Program Survey template
• Talking Points: Facilitating Communication between Libraries and School Districts
• Activities collection
  
• Time to Change the “Checklist”: A Toolkit for Reimagining School Readiness: This WebJunction article offers a brief introduction to the Toolkit.
• Additional links shared in chat
• Supercharged Storytimes course, including Parent & Caregiver Tips for Storytimes