By Alice Avila, CRRL Youth Services Programmer
Starting school can feel exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between for both children and parents. What many people don’t realize is that 90% of a child’s brain development happens by the age of five,* long before they walk into a classroom. That makes parents and caregivers a child’s very first teacher, shaping learning through play, stories and everyday moments. The good news? You don’t have to do it all on your own. From storytime classes to books, programs, and friendly support, your library is here to help make the journey to school a little easier and a lot more fun.
Library storytimes are a great place to start. Led by specially trained library professionals, these classes are carefully designed using the Every Child Ready to Read® skills and practices to support early literacy. Through a fun mix of stories, rhymes, finger plays, singing and movement, children are building important skills, such as language, listening, and comprehension--often without even realizing they’re learning. Just as importantly, storytime helps spark a genuine love of books and reading, creating positive early experiences that support a smoother transition into school.
You can find scheduled classes at Central Rappahannock Regional Library here:
Grow A Reader Classes and Storytimes Schedule, opens a new window
Interested in evening storytimes? Check out:
Grow A Reader Class: Bedtime Stories, opens a new window
For storytimes that are adapted for youth with autism and other developmental challenges:
Sensory Time, opens a new window
For storytimes centered on exploring and developing social-emotional skills, look for our six-week Feeling Ready series in the summer, which focuses on emotions, self acceptance, cooperation, kindness, mindfulness and growth mindset.
Ready, Set, Read!
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, opens a new window reading challenge is another fun option for families at the library. This challenge encourages parents and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their children before they start kindergarten. The benefits for parents are significant, as it provides a simple, structured goal to make reading a daily habit, strengthening the parent-child bond through shared activity and ensuring children enter school with strong pre-literacy skills, a larger vocabulary, and a positive association with books. This commitment at home complements the learning at the library, building a solid foundation for school readiness.
If you are looking for suggestions of what to read with your children, the library can help with that too. We have booklists for a wide range of topics including (but not limited to):
Engaging picture books that help young children build essential social-emotional skills--such as kindness, patience, empathy, and sharing--while also addressing common early childhood challenges, such as biting, hitting, and emotional regulation.
Picture books where you get to join in on the action!
Use these books -- some with favorite characters! -- to help your child make an easier transition using the potty.
These titles help illustrate that challenges are opportunities to grow, and, that with practice, hard work, persistence, and resilience, you can get better at anything you try!
Do you have a little one heading off to preschool for the first time, or even starting at a new school? Soothe their fears with books that explore the transition and delight in the new experience.
These books will help your kiddos feel ready to enter the world of kindergarten, addressing some of their fears and worries and building confidence for the first day.
If you’d like more personalized recommendations, library staff would love to help you in your library branch, or you can reach out anytime online through our My Librarian, opens a new window service and ask for specific suggestions.
For families who want to bring the library experience home, the library also offers a variety of valuable check-out resources. The Grow A Reader Kits, opens a new window are perfect for conducting your own storytimes at home, as they containi a curated mix of books, and activities designed to reinforce early literacy skills.
Additionally, the Early and Emerging Reader Kits, opens a new window are available to support children as they transition to independent reading. All of these kits are thoughtfully assembled to combine books with engaging activities and games, providing a fun and comprehensive learning experience that you can enjoy together.
In addition to classes and resources, your library offers a variety of self-guided activities perfect for drop-in visits. Children can strengthen important skills through engaging, independent play, such as following clues on a fun library scavenger hunt that builds observation and problem-solving skills. Look for the library's self-directed activities that often feature coloring or activity pages, which are excellent for developing fine motor skills essential for writing, as well as fostering early letter recognition.
For a truly interactive experience, visit the Learn and Play Rooms,, opens a new window dedicated spaces that feature toys, blocks, letters, and interactive panels to enhance the library experience and teach early reading skills through play and self-discovery. These in-person activities reinforce the concept that learning happens everywhere, turning an ordinary library visit into a stimulating and playful experience that helps prepare children for the classroom.
From engaging storytimes and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge to specialized book kits and playful, self-guided activities, your library is a dedicated partner in your child's educational journey. The library offers programs, resources, and expert support needed to build strong early literacy skills, nurture a love of learning, and ensure a confident, smooth transition into school. Stop by today—your child's school readiness adventure starts here!
*Brown, TT and Jernigan, TL. "Brain Development During the Preschool Years." Neuropsychology Review. 2012 Dec;22(4):313-33. doi: 10.1007/s11065-012-9214-1. Epub 2012 Sep 25. PMID: 23007644; PMCID: PMC3511633.
