<strong>How the Library Area Promotes Development</strong>

An attractive space with soft furniture, beautiful picture books, and writing materials can be an oasis in the classroom—a place to get away from more active interest areas and relax. In the Library Area children develop the motivation and skills necessary to read and write. As they hear stories read aloud every day, look through books on their own, listen to story tapes, retell familiar stories, and make up their own stories, they also have many opportunities to grow in all areas of development.

<strong>Social/emotional development</strong>

From books, children learn about people who are like them and who are different. They feel comforted learning that others have had experiences or fears similar to their own and managed them. They develop empathy for those who have challenges and struggles that make life difficult. Children develop social skills when they share books together, re-enact a story, and write a card to a sick friend.

<strong>Physical development</strong>

Children strengthen the small muscles in their hands when they use tools for writing and illustrating. They use their eye muscles as they follow the pictures and words in a book.

<strong>Cognitive development</strong>

Books help children gain a better understanding of the world around them. They develop an understanding of symbols (relating the picture of a boy to the written word “boy”). They learn to make predictions and think about cause and effect (“If the pig builds his house of straw, the wolf will blow it down.”). When they hear a story, children make connections between the story and things they already know. When they retell stories, they learn to sequence as they relate the events in a story in order. Children also can learn basic skills such as counting, number recognition, colors, and shapes through books.

<strong>Language development</strong>

All aspects of literacy—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—can be strengthened in the Library Area. When children hear stories, they learn new words and their meaning, and their comprehension grows. Children develop phonological awareness when they hear and explore the sounds and rhythms of language in books. They learn how to follow the flow of print on a page, left to right and top to bottom. Children use writing in a meaningful way in the Library Area when they create a message for a friend or a letter to Mom.