Westonka Library’s Toys Promote Reading Readiness

Toys at the library?! You may be thinking that libraries are primarily about books or free computer access.  While the library certainly has plenty of books and computers, the toys serve an important purpose in preparing young children to become readers.  

Parents who talk, sing, read, write, and play with their children are helping them develop the skills that will be needed for reading.  When children are playing with the toys they learn language by talking with others and interacting with their surroundings.   Children learn vocabulary by naming the toys they are playing with.  In addition the toys also stimulate the childrens’ imaginations and creativity as they create stories around the toys.  The toys include dress-up clothes, a kitchen, zoo animals, toy people, and a science station with a magnifying glass. 

In addition, an alphabet center gives kids a chance to interact with magnetic letters and learn words beginning with each letter of the alphabet.  Coloring sheets and crayons give children a chance to utilize small motor muscle control, which is needed for writing.  Children learn to count and recognize numbers in print through the dinosaur scavenger hunt.  There are ten pictures of dinosaurs in the children’s area of the library, labeled 1 through 10. 

Westonka Library also has numerous music CDs which promote language development.  Songs slow down language, making it easier to hear the different sounds that make up words. 

Finally, let’s not forget about the books.  Reading with children is one of the best ways to get children to read on their own later.  Reading is encouraged through eye-catching book displays and through promotion of the Summer Reading Program.  With the Summer Reading Program, children read or listen to a story and draw a picture or briefly write about it for a chance to win a free book. 

Westonka Library is located on 2079 Commerce Blvd in the city of Mound.  The library is open 7 days a week.  Mondays 10-8; Tuesdays 10-6; Wednesdays 12-8; Thursdays 12-6; Fridays 10-5; Saturdays 10-5; and Sundays 12-5.  For more information, call 612-543-6175.