Early literacy refers to the pre-reading and pre-writing skills a child should know before starting kindergarten. Every Child Ready to Read has defined 5 early literacy practices to help parents and caregivers nurture early literacy anytime, anywhere.
The 5 practices are:
Talk, Read, Sing, Write, Play
· Talk about the activity or book you are sharing with your child.
· Sing or make up songs while doing chores, building blocks, etc.
· Read books, magazines, road signs, and more with your child.
· Write the letters of the alphabet, create a story, or draw shapes.
· Play with words, books, or toys to reinforce your child’s early literacy skills.
What is S.T.E.A.M. or S.T.E.M. learning?
The acronym refers to 5 educational disciplines that children should experience:
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Art (not a part of STEM learning)
• Mathematics
Why is it important?
Not only do children need early literacy skills to prepare them for future learning, they also need basic S.T.E.A.M. concepts to help them excel in school.
Basic S.T.E.A.M. concepts include, but are not limited to:
• Shapes
• Counting
• Using crayons, pencils, and markers
• Building with blocks
• Listening to music
• Talking about the weather
• Cooking
• And MUCH more
Visit Every Child Ready to Read, or click here for more early literacy resources.
15jul6:00 p.m.Toledo Children's Theatre Workshop presents: Twinkle, Twinkle
Event Details
Join us in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds on July 15 at 6PM as the Toledo Children’s Theatre Workshop presents: Twinkle, Twinkle! This family event is free
Event Details
Join us in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds on July 15 at 6PM as the Toledo Children’s Theatre Workshop presents: Twinkle, Twinkle! This family event is free and open to all, sponsored by the Friends of Defiance Public Library. No registration is needed.
Time
July 15, 2024 6:00 p.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
16jul10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Storytime Adventures
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds every Tuesday & Wednesday from June 18-July 17, 2024, from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime Adventures! Stories, songs, rhymes,
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds every Tuesday & Wednesday from June 18-July 17, 2024, from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime Adventures! Stories, songs, rhymes, crafting, and more! Bring a blanket to sit on. Geared to ages 0-6. No registration needed.
*In case of inclement weather, Storytime Adventures will take place inside Defiance Public Library.
Time
July 16, 2024 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
16jul1:00 p.m.2:00 p.m.Play Doh Hour
Event Details
Come and create your masterpieces with Play Doh! Play Doh hour is taking place July 1, 3, 16, and 23 at 1:00pm at the Sherwood Branch Library. Open to all
Event Details
Come and create your masterpieces with Play Doh! Play Doh hour is taking place July 1, 3, 16, and 23 at 1:00pm at the Sherwood Branch Library. Open to all ages that love to squish and sculpt with Play Doh! No registration needed.
Time
July 16, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
17jul10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Storytime Adventures
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds every Tuesday & Wednesday from June 18-July 17, 2024, from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime Adventures! Stories, songs, rhymes,
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library in the Summer Reading Tent on the Fort Grounds every Tuesday & Wednesday from June 18-July 17, 2024, from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime Adventures! Stories, songs, rhymes, crafting, and more! Bring a blanket to sit on. Geared to ages 0-6. No registration needed.
*In case of inclement weather, Storytime Adventures will take place inside Defiance Public Library.
Time
July 17, 2024 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
17jul10:30 a.m.Storytime Around the World
Event Details
From June 5 to July 24, join us every Wednesday at 10:30AM at Johnson Memorial Library for Storytime Around the World! Get exposed to different cultures, and see how kids
Event Details
From June 5 to July 24, join us every Wednesday at 10:30AM at Johnson Memorial Library for Storytime Around the World! Get exposed to different cultures, and see how kids from around the world live and learn. Geared to ages 0-6. No registration needed.
Time
July 17, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
17jul1:00 p.m.2:00 p.m.Explore Lily Creek Farms
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library on Wednesday, July 17 from 1:00-2:00PM to explore all that Lily Creek Farms has to offer. Learn about their mini pony, mini donkey, pig,
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library on Wednesday, July 17 from 1:00-2:00PM to explore all that Lily Creek Farms has to offer. Learn about their mini pony, mini donkey, pig, and more! Free & open to all, sponsored by the Friends of Sherwood Branch Library. No registration needed.
Time
July 17, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
18jul10:30 a.m.12:00 p.m.Gotcha Day! (Stuffed) Puppy Adoption PartyWaitlist is Open
Event Details
This event is full, but fill out the form below to add your name to the waiting list! It’s ‘Gotcha Day’ at Defiance Public Library! You and your newly adopted
Event Details
This event is full, but fill out the form below to add your name to the waiting list!
It’s ‘Gotcha Day’ at Defiance Public Library! You and your newly adopted stuffed puppy can emBARK on a fun-filled adventure on July 18 from 10:30AM-noon OR July 23 from 4:30-6:00PM, including decorating pet supplies, running through an agility course, and using your snouts to sniff out a beloved blanket. Geared to grades pre-K through 6. Sponsored by Geenex Solar LLC.
Time
July 18, 2024 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
RSVP Now
Make sure to RSVP to this amazing event!
All spaces are reserved! Join the waitlist!
Current waitlist size40
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18jul4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Family Storytime Tribe
Event Details
Family Storytime Tribe: Summer Edition takes place every Thursday from 4:30-5:30PM from June 13 to July 25 (no storytime on July 4!) at Sherwood Branch Library. Join us for stories,
Event Details
Family Storytime Tribe: Summer Edition takes place every Thursday from 4:30-5:30PM from June 13 to July 25 (no storytime on July 4!) at Sherwood Branch Library. Join us for stories, rhymes, songs, and fun! Geared to ages 0-5. No registration needed.
June 20 & July 18 sessions will be special Inclusive Storytimes with the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities!
Time
July 18, 2024 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
19jul5:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.Family Fort Night
Event Details
This event has been cancelled.
Event Details
This event has been cancelled.
Time
July 19, 2024 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
20jul10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.Perler Party
Event Details
Join us for a Perler Party at Sherwood Branch Library on the following dates from 10:00 a.m.-noon: May 25, June 8, July 20, and Aug. 10. All ages are welcome
Event Details
Join us for a Perler Party at Sherwood Branch Library on the following dates from 10:00 a.m.-noon: May 25, June 8, July 20, and Aug. 10. All ages are welcome to come visit the library and craft with perler beads. No registration is needed.
Time
July 20, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
augPicture Book Scavenger Hunt
Event Details
Come to Defiance Public Library to get the scavenger hunt list along with some picture books to check out. While reading the picture books at home, watch out for items
Event Details
Come to Defiance Public Library to get the scavenger hunt list along with some picture books to check out. While reading the picture books at home, watch out for items in the books that may also be on the scavenger hunt list. Write each title where an item is found next to the list item. Once all the items on the list are found, bring it back to the library for a reward. If you didn’t find all the items the first go round, no worries, just come back & check out more books to locate more list items. This contest takes place Aug. 1-31!
Children have all month to find all the items & complete the list. Geared to birth to grade 6.
Time
Month Long Event (August)
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
01aug10:30 a.m.1000 Books Before Kindergarten Grad Party
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library on August 1 beginning at 10:30AM to celebrate the graduates of our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program! We’ll be celebrating with stories and special
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library on August 1 beginning at 10:30AM to celebrate the graduates of our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program! We’ll be celebrating with stories and special activities, including a craft and a dance party! Amy Panning from Ohio Deaf Friends of the Library will be on hand as an ASL interpreter for storytime, and Annie Crowder Reynolds of Ohio SNAP-Ed will help us make yummy energy bites!
The celebration is geared to ages 0-6, and all are welcome to attend whether you participated in the 1000 Books program or not. No registration is needed. Sponsored by the Friends of DPL.
Time
August 1, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
10aug10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.Perler Party
Event Details
Join us for a Perler Party at Sherwood Branch Library on the following dates from 10:00 a.m.-noon: May 25, June 8, July 20, and Aug. 10. All ages are welcome
Event Details
Join us for a Perler Party at Sherwood Branch Library on the following dates from 10:00 a.m.-noon: May 25, June 8, July 20, and Aug. 10. All ages are welcome to come visit the library and craft with perler beads. No registration is needed.
Time
August 10, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
12aug1:00 p.m.3:00 p.m.Lego Fun
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun on the following dates:May 21 from 4:00-6:00 PM *Please note the different time*June 10 from 1:00-3:00 PMJuly 8 from 1:00-3:00 PMAugust
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun on the following dates:
May 21 from 4:00-6:00 PM *Please note the different time*
June 10 from 1:00-3:00 PM
July 8 from 1:00-3:00 PM
August 12 from 1:00-3:00 PM
All ages welcome. No registration needed.
Time
August 12, 2024 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
03sep(sep 3)10:00 a.m.30(sep 30)5:00 p.m.Smokey Bear Reading Challenge
Event Details
To celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday during 2024, take the Smokey Bear pledge then read 3 or more books on wildfire prevention or the environment and earn 4 badges by
Event Details
To celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday during 2024, take the Smokey Bear pledge then read 3 or more books on wildfire prevention or the environment and earn 4 badges by completing challenge activities. All details are available in the Children’s Department along with the challenge materials. Complete the challenge to earn a certificate and small prize! Challenge takes place Sept. 3-30 and is geared to ages 0-6.
Time
September 3, 2024 10:00 a.m. - September 30, 2024 5:00 p.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.