TAG: young learners

4 Things to consider before letting your preschooler use a tablet

Posted in For You, kids, Parents and Teachers on November 18, 2015 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley I admit it was a rookie mistake. I had just upgraded my smartphone but all the apps were still loaded on my old phone. I thought my then 5-year-old would enjoy playing some of her games on it during a family car trip. After putting it in airplane mode, I passed the phone […]

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Every Hero Has a Story

Posted in Explore and Discover, For You, kids, Teens on June 16, 2015 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley There’s something about reading during the summer that’s just magical as a child. I remember one year, I spent an entire day in my treehouse with my friend Darcie. We had snacks and the complete Anne of Green Gables series. We must have read for over 10 hours; ok, maybe it wasn’t quite […]

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Lessons from Mom

Posted in Explore and Discover, For You, Parents and Teachers on May 12, 2015 at 6:00 am

By Clarissa Fidler Having just celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, I’ve been thinking about all the ways my mom has influenced my life and shaped who I am today. Even now in my late 20s, I still find I need her advice and support on a regular basis. I think moms have a special gift […]

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Backyard Fun for Kids

Posted in For You, kids on April 28, 2015 at 6:00 am

By Rachel Edmondson Spring is the time of year when parents everywhere rejoice that it’s finally warm enough to send their kids outside to play. My kids are always happiest when they’ve had a chance to run around outside, dig in the dirt, and soak up some sun. When my kids are stuck inside all day they […]

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What About Those Storytimes?

Posted in Parents and Teachers on May 7, 2014 at 6:00 am

by Wilma Flanagan Storytime has a long history as a library program, providing early learning opportunities for over a hundred years. In 1899, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh was one of the first libraries to offer storytime, and by the 1940s many libraries were offering these programs as a way of helping young children become […]

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STARS Training for childcare providers, parents & other caregivers

Posted in Parents and Teachers on February 27, 2014 at 6:00 am

by Mary Ellen Braks Looking for practical ways to turn everyday activities like talking, reading, singing, writing, and playing into super-charged learning moments with the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in your care? Spokane County Library District offers monthly free STARS classes for childcare providers and teachers to earn continuing educa […]

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Playing Outside the (Pizza) Box

Posted in Parents and Teachers on November 13, 2013 at 6:00 am

by Christie O. Felt boards are a great interactive way to play with your young child and incorporate many early literacy practices into your play. Commercial felt boards (or flannel boards) can be both expensive and bulky, but armed with glue, felt, and an unused pizza box, you can make your own. Choose a neutral […]

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Parents and Teachers

Posted in Parents and Teachers on October 14, 2013 at 11:30 am

Welcome to our Parents & Teachers blog page. Developing young learners is a top service priority aimed at providing parents and caregivers the resources and activities to prepare children, birth to age five, to enter school ready to learn. The ability to read and write is the basis for all other education. The District works […]

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Diane E Zahand Memorial Fund

Posted in News on May 25, 2013 at 8:31 pm

Jim Zahand’s eyes filled with tears as he presented a gift to Spokane Valley Library on behalf of his family and friends in memory of his late wife, Diane E. Zahand. The purpose of the gift, a book collection and annual monetary contributions, is to continue Ms. Zahand’s efforts to foster a love of learning. […]

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