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.
25mar10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Hicksville Storytime
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6. No registration is needed.
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6.
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Danielle Renollet
26mar4:30 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!) No
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!)
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Krista Kirsch
30mar5:00 p.m.6:30 p.m.Straw Painted Spring Flowers on Canvas
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required. Register using the form below, or by calling the library at 419-899-4343. This free craft class is open to pre-K and school-aged children.
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required. Register using the form below, or by calling the library at 419-899-4343. This free craft class is open to pre-K and school-aged children.
Visit Sherwood Branch Library on Monday, March 30, from 5:00-6:30PM and create beautiful spring flowers on a canvas using only paint and straw. Watch the magic bloom before your eyes!
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
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30mar5:30 p.m.6:00 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Monday from Jan. 26 through March 30 for Family Storytime from 5:30-6:00PM. Family Storytime is geared to ages 0-6 and combines Tuesday’s Read, Rhyme, &
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Monday from Jan. 26 through March 30 for Family Storytime from 5:30-6:00PM.
Family Storytime is geared to ages 0-6 and combines Tuesday’s Read, Rhyme, & Romp and Storytime sessions into a shorter program perfect for busy families!
We will meet in the Nellie Gary Reading Room. No registration is required.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
31mar10:30 a.m.11:00 a.m.Read, Rhyme, & Romp
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from Jan. 27 to March 31 from 10:30-11:00AM for Read, Rhyme, and Romp, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes promoting early literacy for babies and
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from Jan. 27 to March 31 from 10:30-11:00AM for Read, Rhyme, and Romp, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes promoting early literacy for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2).
Read, Rhyme, and Romp will take place in the Nellie Gary Reading Room. No registration is needed.
Dates: Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
(Storytime for ages 2-6 will immediately follow on the same days, from 11:00-11:30AM)
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
31mar11:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.Storytime
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from Jan. 27 to March 31 from 11:00-11:30AM for Storytime, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes promoting early literacy for ages 2-6.Storytime will take place
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from Jan. 27 to March 31 from 11:00-11:30AM for Storytime, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes promoting early literacy for ages 2-6.
Storytime will take place in the Nellie Gary Reading Room. No registration is needed.
Dates: Jan. 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
(Read, Rhyme, and Romp for ages 0-2 will take place immediately before Storytime on the same days, from 10:30-11:00AM.)
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
31mar4:00 p.m.5:00 p.m.Lego Club
Event Details
School-aged children are invited to Johnson Memorial Library on the last Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00PM for Lego Club! We’ll give you a theme, and you let your imagination
Event Details
School-aged children are invited to Johnson Memorial Library on the last Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00PM for Lego Club! We’ll give you a theme, and you let your imagination run wild! No registration is needed. Lego Club does not meet in December.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
01apr10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Hicksville Storytime
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6. No registration is needed.
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6.
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Danielle Renollet
02apr4:30 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!) No
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!)
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Krista Kirsch
04apr10:30 a.m.12:00 p.m.Egg-stra Special Scavenger Hunt
Event Details
Hop into a springtime adventure during our Egg-stra Special Scavenger Hunt, taking place April 4 from 10:30AM-noon at Defiance Public Library! Find all of the hidden colorful eggs, then return
Event Details
Hop into a springtime adventure during our Egg-stra Special Scavenger Hunt, taking place April 4 from 10:30AM-noon at Defiance Public Library! Find all of the hidden colorful eggs, then return to the children’s desk for a special prize. Geared to children in pre-K through 6th grade. No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
07aprAll DayBunny Duck Scavenger Hunt Begins
Event Details
Every Tuesday in April, we’ll hide Easter bunny ducks throughout Hicksville. Track one down and you can keep it! Sponsored by the Friends of Johnson Memorial Library.
Event Details
Every Tuesday in April, we’ll hide Easter bunny ducks throughout Hicksville. Track one down and you can keep it! Sponsored by the Friends of Johnson Memorial Library.
Time
Organizer
Danielle Renollet
07apr11:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.NOCAC Story Share: Celebrate DD Awareness Month
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library on April 7 at 11AM for a special Story Share presentation by our friends at the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The Early Intervention team
Event Details
Visit Defiance Public Library on April 7 at 11AM for a special Story Share presentation by our friends at the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The Early Intervention team will read ‘How the Crayons Saved the School’ by Monica Sweeney. Following the story, they will offer information about the Board of DD’s services, including early intervention and more. All attendees will receive a copy of the book to take home while supplies last.
Geared to children and families. No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
08apr10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Hicksville Storytime
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6. No registration is needed.
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6.
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Danielle Renollet
09apr4:30 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!) No
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!)
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Krista Kirsch
15apr10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m.Hicksville Storytime
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6. No registration is needed.
Event Details
Join us every Wednesday from Feb. 11 to April 29 from 10:30-11:30AM for Storytime! Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs that promote early literacy for ages 2-6.
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Danielle Renollet
16apr4:30 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!) No
Event Details
Visit Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 26 to April 30 for Family Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes and songs geared to ages 0-8 (but all are welcome!)
No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
Krista Kirsch
20apr6:00 p.m.Toledo Opera on Wheels Presents: The Bear Who Couldn't Fish
Event Details
This free program for children and families will take place April 20 at 6:00PM at Defiance Public Library. No registration is needed. Join us for a night at the Opera
Event Details
This free program for children and families will take place April 20 at 6:00PM at Defiance Public Library. No registration is needed.
Join us for a night at the Opera in celebration of National Library Week! The Toledo Opera’s ‘Opera On Wheels’ will be here to tell us the story of the Bear Who Couldn’t Fish. This is based on a Lakota legend titled Mato. In this legend, a young bear on his own for the first time learns about the great lakes & their surroundings as well as the importance of listening.
Sponsored by the Friends of Defiance Public Library!
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
02may10:30 a.m.12:00 p.m.Lego Adventures
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library on March 7 and May 2 from 10:30AM-noon for LEGO Adventures! This special Saturday event invites kids to get creative—tackle fun building challenges or
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library on March 7 and May 2 from 10:30AM-noon for LEGO Adventures! This special Saturday event invites kids to get creative—tackle fun building challenges or let your imagination run wild with free building. Drop in and build with us! Geared to children in pre-K through grade 6. No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
04may10:00 a.m.7:30 p.m.Celebrate Children's Book Week!
Event Details
Visit the Children’s Department at Defiance Public Library from May 4-9 during open hours and celebrate Children’s Book Week with a book-character scavenger hunt, a bookmark-making station, and a would-you-rather
Event Details
Visit the Children’s Department at Defiance Public Library from May 4-9 during open hours and celebrate Children’s Book Week with a book-character scavenger hunt, a bookmark-making station, and a would-you-rather activity. No registration needed. Happy reading!
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
05may11:00 a.m.Dragons Are Everywhere: Storyshare with NOCAC Head Start
Event Details
Head Start teachers Heidi & Gerri will be taking us on a dragon adventure! Meet their special dragon friend, enjoy a story & other activities on May 5 beginning at
Event Details
Head Start teachers Heidi & Gerri will be taking us on a dragon adventure! Meet their special dragon friend, enjoy a story & other activities on May 5 beginning at 11AM in the Nellie Gary Reading Room at Defiance Public Library.
This program is geared to ages 2-6 and no registration is needed.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
05may4:30 p.m.Viva La Fiesta! Making Papel Picado Flags
Event Details
May 5 at 4:30PM at Defiance Public Library. Geared to grades K-6. No registration needed. Join us to celebrate Children’s Books Week & Cinco De Mayo! Fashion Designer & Author
Event Details
May 5 at 4:30PM at Defiance Public Library. Geared to grades K-6. No registration needed.
Join us to celebrate Children’s Books Week & Cinco De Mayo! Fashion Designer & Author Christina Treviño will be sharing her story A Family Fiesta Para Mi Cumpleaños (Simple Papel Picado). She will be reading an excerpt of her book then helping us to create our own Papel Picados! Using assorted colorful construction paper, we will learn to fold and cut simple geometric patterns to create our own festive banners. We will finish by stringing them together for a celebratory display. The author will have her books available for purchase.
Time
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
16may10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.PlayDough Party
Event Details
All ages are invited to join us for a PlayDough Party at Sherwood Branch Library from 10AM-noon on the following dates: January 17, March 21, and May 16. No registration
Event Details
All ages are invited to join us for a PlayDough Party at Sherwood Branch Library from 10AM-noon on the following dates: January 17, March 21, and May 16. No registration is needed. Let’s get creative!
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
18may4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Storywalk Storytime
Event Details
Join us on May 18 from 4:30-5:30PM at the Bronson Park Storywalk in Defiance as we read “Keep Up Duck” by Ivan and Rachel Bates, and enjoy a craft/activity under
Event Details
Join us on May 18 from 4:30-5:30PM at the Bronson Park Storywalk in Defiance as we read “Keep Up Duck” by Ivan and Rachel Bates, and enjoy a craft/activity under the park pavilion, while supplies last. Geared to children and families. No registration is needed.
Time
Location
Bronson Park
2104 Power Dam Road
Organizer
18may5:00 p.m.6:30 p.m.Liquid Watercolor Art
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required. Register beginning April 20 on this page or by calling 419-899-4343. This free craft class is geared to pre-K and school-age children.
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required. Register beginning April 20 on this page or by calling 419-899-4343. This free craft class is geared to pre-K and school-age children.
Feelin’ groovy? Join us at Sherwood Branch Library on May 18 from 5:00-6:30PM to construct a far-out, abstract art piece!
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
26may10:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.Inclusive Book Club
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library and the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities at the Inclusive Book Club. Meet us at Sherwood Branch Library, 117 N. Harrison St., Sherwood, for a
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library and the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities at the Inclusive Book Club. Meet us at Sherwood Branch Library, 117 N. Harrison St., Sherwood, for a morning of books, crafts, socializing, and fun!
The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10:00-11:00AM. No registration is needed, and all are welcome. For more information call the library at 419-899-4343.
Time
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
26may4:00 p.m.5:00 p.m.Lego Club
Event Details
School-aged children are invited to Johnson Memorial Library on the last Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00PM for Lego Club! We’ll give you a theme, and you let your imagination
Event Details
School-aged children are invited to Johnson Memorial Library on the last Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00PM for Lego Club! We’ll give you a theme, and you let your imagination run wild! No registration is needed. Lego Club does not meet in December.
Time
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio