Posted on September 20, 2020 by Pat Toney

Early Learning - WRITE & PLAY

This week we feature two more early learning skills for preschoolers. This is final entry of our four part series that focuses on developing pre-reading skills.

This final post of the early learning series will highlight two prereading skills:  Write and Play 

Play is the work of children. They develop early writing skills by drawing and scribbling.

EARLY LEARNING TIPS

  • Practice the hand motions for Itsy Bitsy Spider.  This is fun way to develop (fine motor skills) the muscles needed to write.
  • Give your toddler crayons and paper to use.
  • Play with blocks and other toys with letters or shapes. Stack and make patterns.
  • Write your child’s name and show how the letters are formed. 

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Posted on September 13, 2020 by Pat Toney

Early Learning - SING

This month we feature early learning tips for preschoolers. Children ages 0-5 are learning everyday about the world around them. This four part series will focus on developing pre-reading skills that prepare kids for school.

In my recent reading of Land of Cranes by local author Aida Salazar,  I came across a passage where a mother wants to teach children in a detention center. Someone commented  but they have no pen or paper!  Never mind that. They have their voices. They would learn through song just as the enslaved learned about a path to freedom by Follow[ing] the Drinking Gourd. 

Singing helps children hear the sounds that make up words.  

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Posted on September 6, 2020 by Pat Toney

Early Learning - TALK

This month we feature early learning tips for preschoolers. Children ages 0-5 are learning everyday about the world around them. This 4 part series will focus on developing pre-reading skills that prepare kids for school. Conversations with your baby/ toddler support language development.

All children, no matter how young, listen to people talk. It is how they learn new words and begin to understand the world around them.

EARLY LEARNING TIPS 

  • Talk with your child as you go about your day: making food, walking around the neighborhood, getting ready for bed, any time. 

  • You can add to their vocabulary when you respond to what your child says. If your toddler says “truck,” you can say, “We saw a big green truck today.” 

  • You can respond to babbling or even silence.

  • Use new words. If your child says “banana,” you can say, “Do you want a banana? That’s very healthy food.” 

  • Talk in the language most comfortable for you. Babies’ growing brains can easily learn more than one language.  

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Posted on August 31, 2020 by Pat Toney

Early Learning - READ

Help your baby or toddler get ready to read! This month we feature early learning tips for preschoolers. Children ages 0-5 are learning everyday about the world around them. This 4 part series will focus on developing pre-reading skills that prepare kids for school.

 

EARLY LEARNING TIPS 

  • Read with your child every day.

    It's not important what you read. The time you spend together will help your children develop a love of reading.  
    Talk about the story as you read.  If you're waiting for your holds to be ready for pick up at the library, a magazine, photo album or brochures will do.
  • Talk about the pictures or make up your own story. 

  • It’s okay to read just a little bit of a book.  Try board books, the pages are

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Posted on August 7, 2020 by Pat Toney

Going Back to School with OPL

We are in the process of updating our web page for PARENTS & TEACHERS. As OUSD prepares to resume session we want you to have the following up-to-date information. We hope these resources will help make this school year a success.

How to Get a Library Card  

While the library is closed, please complete an online application and email eanswers@oaklandlibrary.org to set up a *NEW* account. To reset your PIN, please either request a PIN reset online (the account must have a valid email address) or contact library staff at eanswers@oaklandlibrary.org.  

 *If your student has had an Oakland Public Library card  and can't find it, they do not need

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Posted on July 29, 2020 by Pat Toney

#OPLSummer Reading Logs & Prize Books

Our summer reading program officially ends this week but keep reading! Are you ready to go 'back to school'? Don't forget your library card!

Thank you for joining us for Summer Reading 2020, the official end date is August 1st.  In a pre-COVID world, we would be celebrating on Sunday at the Oakland Museum. We miss seeing you at the library and hope to say hello at the Summer Prize pick up locations.

Prize book pick-up will take place: 

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Posted on July 18, 2020 by Pat Toney

#OPLSummer Week 9: Nature Close at Hand

Welcome to the last week of Summer Reading 2020. While many continue to shelter in place/stay close to home, we also know it's important to go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

 

We are pleased to present Morgan Guenther from East Bay Regional Park District with this week's activities: 

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Posted on July 18, 2020 by Remy Timbrook

#OPLSummer Week 8: Read, Watch, Listen - Global Society

OPL children's librarians have selected some titles to read for this week's summer theme. We are not alone in this world -- we are part of the global society!

Join the fun online this summer with OPL!

OPL children's librarians have selected some titles (available both online and, at select sidewalk pickup locations, in person) for you to read with us during this week of summer. Whether they depict people moving from country to country, living at home around the globe, or meeting people from different places, they encourage us to discover our commonalities, celebrate our differences, and learn to coexist peacefully.

Read, watch, listen, and enjoy!

Picture Books

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Posted on July 11, 2020 by Lolade Gbadebo

#OPLSummer Week 7: Read, Watch & Listen: Black Joy!

This week we celebrate diversity and focus on the idea of Black Joy. Read, watch and listen to these resources to tap into Black Joy and celebrate the pride and diversity among Black people!

Book cover of My People by Langston Hughes, photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr.

When I was a teenager, independent and sure of everything, I asked my mother, “Why did you even have kids? You of all people know how awful people can be and how tough life is.” My mother, raised in the backwoods of segregated Virginia, gave birth to and raised three daughters.  

I’m sure my hand was on my hip as I asked her. I directed my frustration—with racism, with sexism, with classism, with the whole world—at her. After all, she brought me into such a crazy world. She deserved some sass! 

At the time, I was sure I wouldn’t ever

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Posted on July 4, 2020 by Pat Toney

#OPLSummer Week 6: Do-It-Yourself (DIY)

We miss seeing you in the library! Build, Make, Play has been a favorite summer activity in our branches. What can you make at home?

Welcome July!  We're more than half way through the summmer reading program. What have you learned to do since sheltering in place began? We've heard the stories of at home haircuts, bread baking and the challenges of home schooling. What are you doing for fun?

Here are some ideas:

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