BCPL Birth to Five - My First Library Card page.
Skip Navigation
Graphics Version

The navigation path to this page is: Home > Birth to Five > My First Library Card.

My First Library Card

The My First Library Card program provides library cards for children ages birth through kindergarten in all library branches, and through cooperation with various pre-school programs and Baltimore County Public Schools.

Here's why a library card is a great thing for your child:

• Using library materials helps children learn to read well.

• Good readers are better students.

• Children who read well grow up to be active and successful adults.

My First Library Card!
Activities to help every child start school ready to learn

Why are these activities important?

• Reading and writing skills are closely linked to a child's earliest experiences with books and stories.

• Reading with your children is fun and easy!

• Kids love the chance to cuddle and spend quality time with you.

What can you do?

• It's never too early to read to your baby. Try rhymes like "Mary Had a Little Lamb", a birthday card, a cereal box, even the newspaper! The sounds children hear are what matter.

• Keep a book in your diaper bag. You value reading, and carrying a book with you shows it!

• Introduce simple pictures and storybooks as your baby grows. Shapes, Colors and sounds will delight. Try picture books for songs that you can sing together.

• Change your voice for different characters in a book. Help your child learn the characters through your voice.

• Point out people and objects. Ask your child, "Where is the dog hiding?" or other questions about the book before or after you read the page.

• Read the same book over and over -- really. It helps children feel secure.
• Discuss the stories you are reading with your child. Ask questions such as "What sound will the dog make?"
• Discuss the parts of the book. What is the front of the book? Where does the story start? Who is the author? As you read, move your finger to show how the words move across the page.
• Visit the library often. And let children help select their own books.
• Make a special time for reading aloud -- after dinner, before bed ... any time. Talk calmly and take your time, let your child know this is important to you.
• Let your children see you reading. They want to imitate you. Talk about what you read.

Get your child a library card today!

Endorsed by:
James T. Smith, Jr., Baltimore County Executive
Baltimore County Public Schools
Baltimore County Local Management Board

This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 26 August 2008.
You are welcome to provide feedback.