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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 Study

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.


Bookmarks

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:

English     Chinese     Farsi     Spanish     Tagalog     Vietnamese


“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

English   Chinese   Farsi   Spanish   Tagalog   Vietnamese


Reimagining School Readiness
Position Paper

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


Flyers

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:

English   Chinese   Farsi   Spanish  Tagalog   Vietnamese


Posters

“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

English     Chinese     Farsi     Spanish     Tagalog     Vietnamese 


Social Media and Text Messages

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

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 for Library Staff

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

English    Chinese     Farsi     Spanish     Tagalog     Vietnamese


Activity Database

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