Great Start News: Little Bookworms
March 2021
Our Children, Our Community, Our Future
We are excited to announce that we have teamed up with Bright by Text, a national parent texting program, to put expert tips, games, and child development information directly into the hands of parents and caregivers. Bright by Text provides research-based content on child development and learning from trusted experts like PBS, Vroom, Sesame Street, and the CDC, beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy up to age 8. 2-4 simple texts are sent out per week that include links leading to additional information, such as a video or website. In addition, texts will include resources and family-friendly activities being offered right here in Jackson County. Bright by Text messages are offered in both English and Spanish and are specific to the age of your child.
It is easy to sign up for Bright by Text - simply text GREATSTART to 274448 or follow this link to get started!!
Books for Babies
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The Jackson District Library is excited to bring back the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to encourage early literacy! The goal of this program is to read 1,000 books to your child by age 5. Why? Reading exposes children to new words and stories, helping them to create lifelong readers before they even start kindergarten. In addition to the many literacy benefits, participating in this program gives you the chance to earn prizes, so sign up today at myjdl.com/beanstack or in the Beanstack app. (Please note, you will need to create an account for your child in order to register, as this challenge is only visible in accounts with the age of the reader listed as 0-5 years).
Click here for more information. Have fun and keep reading!
Email: YouthServices@myjdl.com
Phone: 517-788-4087
Haystack Cookies
You will need:
1 package chow mein noodles
2 packages of butterscotch chips
wax paper
cookie sheet
large spoon
Directions:
- Place wax paper on cookie sheet.
- Melt butterscotch chips in a large stockpot over low heat.
- Pour chow mein noodles into the stockpot and mix together with melted butterscotch chips.
- Use the spoon to scoop up the cookie mixture and drop it onto wax paper.
- Let sit for 3 hours or overnight.
Read this recipe with your child and make it together!
Books for Toddlers
Fluffy Sheep Craft
You will need:
toilet paper rolls
cotton balls
glue
Q-Tips
black construction paper
white paper
white crayon
black crayon
Directions:
- Glue four Q-Tips onto the toilet paper roll to make legs.
- Glue cotton balls to the toilet paper roll to make a fluffy sheep body.
- Cut out a black sheep face.
- Cut out 2 white sheep eyes.
- Glue the eyes onto the sheep's face.
- Use a black crayon to draw the eyes.
- Use a white crayon to draw a sheep smile.
- Glue the sheep face to the toilet paper roll.
Help your child read the directions and make it together!
Help Your Child Build a Love of Words
The more words a child hears, the more words they will learn and use. The experience should be fun and engaging to keep your child's attention. Try playing I Spy. Start off with an easy word, then try a more difficult word, such as soft then bumpy. Have fun!
Books for Preschool and Kindergarteners
Pigs in a Blanket
You will need:
1 package of Little Smokies
1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
pizza cutter
baking sheet
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Open can of crescent roll dough and lie flat.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut dough into strips.
- Open package of Little Smokies.
- Wrap dough strips around each Little Smokie and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Help your child read the recipe and make it together. Enjoy!
Books for Early Grades
Reading Tips for Parents of Second Graders
Find ways to read, write, and tell stories together with your child. Always applaud your young reader and beginning story writer! Below are a few tips.
- Tell family tales. Children love to hear stories about their families. Share a funny story of yourself when you were a child.
- Do storytelling on the go. Take turns adding to a story the two of you make up while riding in a car or bus. Try making the story funny or spooky!
- Create a book together. Fold pieces of paper in half and staple them to make a book. Ask your child to write sentences on each page and add his or her own pictures.
- Grab a dictionary. Have your child pick a letter, then look through the dictionary together to find new words that start with that letter. Ask your child what new words they like. Try to make up a story that goes along with the new words.
- Play Hang-Man. This is always a fun, classic game to play and your child will love when they win!
For more resources, visit Reading Rockets.
Read-Aloud Books
Graham Cracker Sheep
You will need:
graham crackers squares
white frosting
mini marshmallows
Oreos
candy eyes
Directions:
- Spread frosting on a graham cracker.
- Place mini marshmallows onto the frosting for the wool.
- Place an oreo onto frosting for a sheep face.
- Spread frosting on the back of the candy eyes and place them on top of the Oreo.
Read this recipe with your child and make it together!
Contact Us
Chrissy Blackwell: Great Start Co-Coordinator christina.blackwell@jcisd.org
Jennifer Ganzel: Great Start Families Parent Liasion greatstart.parents@jcisd.org
Kelly Friedland: Early Childhood Grant Support and Data Specialist kelly.friedland@jcisd.org
Resha Willis: Great Start Playgroups Coordinator jacksonplaygroups@gmail.com