Family nights improve literacy, foster love of reading for children

SIKESTON -- The younger children are when they begin reading, the more literate they will be and the more they will love books.

That's what Ann Thompson, children's librarian at the Sikeston Public Library, believes. And that's why she is so enthusiastic about the family nights at the library for children ages 2 through second grade throughout the school year.

"Afterward, a lot of them go into the library next door and go around to pick out books," she said. "That's where the basic education starts at home. Children mimic what they see and if they see their parents reading, it's going to foster a love for books."

The monthly programs mix stories with crafts, snacks and physical activity. There is one for ages 2 to 5 and another for students in kindergarten through second grade. And this year, there will be two programs for third through fifth graders.

"My kids are growing up," Thompson said. "When they go into third grade, they always ask 'are you going to do something for us for family night?'"

That's difficult to do with a budget, she said. However, she is able to hold two programs -- including a luau -- during the year, thanks to a partnership with the MU Extension office.

The MU Extension isn't the only partner the library has in hosting family nights. Other community groups pitch in, too, and the Parents As Teachers host four of the eight preschool programs.

"Our whole goal as Parents As Teachers is focusing on pre-kindergarten skills, so we take that into consideration when we're planning," said Marilyn Schlosser, a parent educator. Social, cognitive and other skills are taught through stories, rhymes, finger plays and more.

"We try to coordinate activities with the concept of the book," she said. "The nights highlight the value of reading to your child and the importance of literature."

Schlosser said the PAT comes up with ideas from seminars as well as their experiences. That's how Thompson devises her programs as well, in addition to suggestions from teachers.

"I follow the kids," Thompson said. "I just watch them and see what they like and take their interests and combine them with the activities."

For instance, when she noticed a lot of children were checking out books about trains, she decided to have a family night to focus on them.

Quite a few preparations go into the nights. In late July, Thompson meets with PAT educators to set a schedule. Then, she sets her themes and prepares fliers and orders books, which children get to take home at the end of the monthly programs.

"I order the books four months ahead of time," she laughed. "I want to make sure they're here and not going to be on back order."

The books are something the children love to get to take home. "They read them again and again," Kathy Perkins said of her grandsons Ian and Owen, both 4, who are regulars at the family nights.

"They're always excited about going to the library," Perkins continued, adding that she often accompanies them to family night. "They go to daycare, but for those that don't, it involves them with other children and gives them the experiences of sitting and listening and interacting with other children and adults."

Schlosser agreed those are among the strengths of family night. "It's a wonderful opportunity for parents to interact and also for their child to develop social skills," she said.

The family nights are quite popular. Due to space and budget constraints, a limited number of children can attend.

"The turnout for ages 2 to 5 is extremely well," Thompson said. "So well, we have a waiting list."