The first Monday of every September is set aside as Labor Day, a day to honor all those who work and labor in America’s workforce. Labor Day also signals the official end of summer, so it is a perfect time for those who work hard all year to take a day to do something fun. This year, Labor Day also coincides with National Read A Book Day, so combine the two celebrations by spending today Read more…
Today is National Food Bank Day, a day set aside each year to encourage people to help at their local food banks. Maybe you can donate cash or nonperishable food items to a local food bank. Or maybe you can donate your time to volunteer to sort donated items or hand them out. Whatever you choose to do, your efforts will be appreciated by those in need. Now is also a good time to get Read more…
Starting today, all NERL branches will begin handing out a Back-to-School Early Literacy activity packet. Inside it, you will find lots of great activities to introduce young children to the joy of learning, such as connect the dots and mazes, as well as sheets that help them with their sight words, shapes, and colors. The packet also contains sheets that show them how to start writing their numbers and letters, and we’ve even included two Read more…
Tomorrow is National Trail Mix Day so get ready today by making up a batch of the delicious and healthy treat. The mix was originally developed as a nutritious snack to be taken along on hikes because it is lightweight, easy to store and good for you. Traditional versions have dried fruits (such as raisins, cherries or pineapple pieces), nuts (such as peanuts, cashews or almonds), loose granola and even chocolate chips or M&Ms! In Read more…
Tomorrow is National Thoughtful Day so spend some time this weekend showing others how much you appreciate and value them. Family members of all ages can participate – there are things that any age from children to teens to adults can do to show their appreciation for someone else. Handwritten notes, cards, and drawings can be done by any age and sent to friends and families far away (or an elderly neighbor on your street Read more…
A fun activity today that will encourage your child’s language and storytelling skills, as well as their creativity, starts by pulling out some paper and crayons or markers. Pick one of your child’s favorite songs to sing (or let them pick) and start drawing a simple picture of what is happening in the lyrics as you sing. Draw just one part and then take turns with your child filling in additional parts. Here are some Read more…
Earlier this month, award-winning author Eloise Greenfield passed away at the age of 92. Greenfield was one of the first children’s picture book writers to feature African American families and their frustrations, as well as the joyous parts of their lives. Her work was so influential, she was awarded the prestigious Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018 by the American Library Association in recognition for her trailblazing career. For Read more…
Suggested Family Activity • You’ve Got 📫 Mail Children love to receive mail. Have them create a mailbox today by recycling and reusing an old shoe box or small cardboard box and cutting a slit in the top. Let them decorate it by covering it with paper (patterned or plain) and using crayons, markers, stickers, etc. to personalize it. Then, make a few cute cards and letters to ‘send’ to your child to give them Read more…
These days, more and more people are turning to digital resources such as E-books and E-audios as they go about their daily lives. Electronic books, also called E-books, are books that have been converted to a digital format for use on devices such as computers and laptops, smart phones, or e-book readers, such as a Nook or a Kindle. You need an internet connection to initially download the book but after that, readers can be Read more…
Suggested Family Activity • Summer 🏃♀️ Olympics The summer Olympics may be over but there’s still plenty of time to get your family involved in Olympics inspired activities. You can teach young children to do a flip, handstand, or a cartwheel like gymnasts or place down a piece of painter’s tape to mimic a balance beam or tightrope and let them try to walk from one end to the other without ‘falling off’. You can Read more…
