Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit
Welcome to the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit! These research-backed resources were created for librarians to help families prepare children ages 0 to 8 for success in school and in life. This toolkit is completely downloadable and printable.
Getting Started
Watch our webinars for an overview of the different components of the toolkit and how to make the most of the resources provided.
Watch Webinars
Reimagining School Readiness Position Paper
Based on a comprehensive review of cognitive and developmental psychology, this position paper identifies the skills and conditions that matter most for a child’s success in school and life. The position paper and accompanying research overview are a resource for librarians, educators, and families, among others, to create supportive learning experiences and environments.
Full Position Paper
Research Overview
Promising Practices Guide
This guide includes practical tips and implementation strategies aimed at making the research on school readiness actionable for library staff. Included are two accompanying templates to aid with library program planning and program reflection.
Promising Practices Booklet
Program Planning Sheet
Program Reflection Sheet
Case Studies
These case studies showcase how different libraries throughout the U.S. implemented the research from the position paper and strategies from the Promising Practices guide into their staff development and library programming.
Fowler Branch, Fresno County Public Library, CA View Case Study
Ovitt Family Community Library, City of Ontario, CA View Case Study
Dobson Ranch Branch, Mesa Public Library, AZ View Case Study
Lester Public Library, WI View Case Study
Bookmarks
These double-sided bookmarks (available in six languages) contain tips for families to try outside the library, and an explanation of the associated skill from the Promising Practices guide.
Learn More
“Time to Try” Math Activities
These resources (available in six languages) showcase math in everyday life, in and around the library. They come in two formats: signs and notecards.
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Flyer
These flyers are aligned with four different age groups and are available in six languages. They introduce families to the essential skills outlined in the Promising Practices guide, including tips to try at home
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"Family Conversation Starters" Posters
These posters (available in six languages) provide inspiration for conversation starters that encourage positive adult-child interactions.
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Social Media and Text Messages
These resources (available in six languages) give practical tips for families and can be used on a variety of social media platforms, either with or without the associated images.
Social Media Posts
Social Media Pictures
Program Survey
This program survey (available in six languages) is intended for library staff to use to gain feedback about their school readiness work. It is available in its entirety and as a shortened, half sheet.
Learn More
Talking Points:
Facilitating Communication between Libraries and School Districts
These talking points will support library staff as they prepare to collaborate with their local school districts doing school readiness work in their communities.
View Talking Points
Activity Database:
This database of hands-on activities is both research-backed and expert curated. All activities can be filtered by tags such as age, time needed, and cost. Use them as inspiration for your next school readiness program.
Browse Activities
Want more?
Creative Summer Learning Experiences: A Practical Guide for Libraries This guide was created in partnership with the Summer at Your Library Project of the California Library Association and contains a framework for building creative learning environments as well as exemplars from libraries throughout the state.
Download Our Guide
Resources for Promoting Childhood Creativity through Libraries This resource packet includes a summary of the best research-backed approaches to promoting creativity in children and a curated collection of favorite creativity-related activities selected by library educators.
Download Our Resource Packet
We would love to hear from you!
Please contact media@badm.org with any specific feedback or to let us know how you are using this toolkit.
Resources found on this page are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Click on the images below to download the school readiness icons and attribution.
