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.
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.
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.
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, an explanation of what children can learn by practicing each skill, and they are formatted such that you can add your library’s logo to them. Try placing these bookmarks at the reference desk, inside children’s books on hold, at the checkout counter, or on chairs during programming!
Please see printing instructions here.
Click the language of the bookmark you would like to download:
“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. Try placing the signs (8.5 x 11”) in plastic sign holders to encourage math exploration in various locations around the library.
The notecards (3 x 5”) can be printed on a template like Avery 5388. Then, punch a hole in the top left corner and attach them together with a metal ring. Try utilizing the notecards, and accompanying 8.5 x 11” instructions page, as an activity that families can complete independently in your children’s section.
Please see printing instructions here.
Signs 8.5 x 11 inches
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
Notecards 3 x 5 inches
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
Notecard Instructions Sign
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.
These flyers can be used to encourage parents and caregivers to check out resources available in this toolkit or in your library!
Click to download the language you would like:
“Family Conversation Starters” Posters
These posters (available in six languages) provide inspiration for conversation starters that encourage children to think more creatively. Choose the poster size that works for you to encourage family conversations during play, activities, and everyday life! It is formatted such that you can add your library’s logo.
Please see printing instructions here.
22 x 28 inches
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
11 x 17 inches
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
8.5 x 11 inches
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.
Program Survey
This program survey (available in six languages) is intended for library staff to gain feedback about their school readiness work. The survey is available in its entirety and as a shortened, half sheet version. Feel free to adapt the questions to get more specific data on a particular program or event.
Tips for encouraging parents and caregivers to complete surveys:
- Place surveys and pens on clipboards so they are easy to hand out.
- Try distributing surveys at the beginning of the program and then encourage families to fill them out at the end while you do a closing song or rhyme.
- Remember to tell people why they are filling out the survey and how you plan to use the information you collect.
- If possible, have another staff member or volunteer help hand out and collect surveys, so that you can focus on the program.
- If you have the surveys sitting out, provide an example of a completed survey.
- Give everyone one of the bookmarks from the Toolkit as a thank you for completing the survey.
Please see printing instructions here.
Click the language of the program survey you would like to download:
Full Sheet
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
Half Sheet
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
The English text of these resources has been translated into Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Farsi. Because translations are often subjective, if you find any errors, please contact us at media@badm.org and let us know how we can improve them.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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.
Please see printing instructions here.
Click the language of the program survey you would like to download:
Full Sheet
English Chinese Farsi Spanish Tagalog Vietnamese
Half Sheet
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.
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.
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.