Calling all parents, caregivers, and educators! Do you need help connecting with local resources and assistance? Are you looking for fun and engaging ways to nurture your little one’s love of reading and learning? Look no further than the Aurora Public Library District’s Early Literacy Expo, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at the Santori Library.
The Early Literacy Expo is a testament to the library’s commitment to lifelong learning, offering families a unique opportunity to set their children up for success. At this event, the Library will provide families with valuable resources in the community, including preschools and daycares. Representatives will be available on-site for families to learn about their organizations (including cost, curriculum, and staffing). Social service organizations will be in attendance to share their early childhood expertise and offerings. “We wanted to take this expo one step further and invite groups that serve children under five, such as SPARK, Aurora Food Pantry, and the Kane County Health Department, to provide the most comprehensive scope of local organizations whose passion is to help and educate small children.” said Early Literacy specialist, Gretchen Schulz. At the Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 event, parents and caregivers will learn more about local options and find an experienced educator to lead their family on the right path.
The Library is lucky to have our own experienced staff teaching pre-literacy skills (the skills children learn before learning how to read in kindergarten) to young Library visitors every day. “Children’s department staff love to host storytimes where we read, sing, play, dance, and instill a love for libraries and reading in children from a young age.” adds Schulz. During the Expo, children can enjoy Bilingual Storytime sessions with staff, face painting, DuPage Children’s Museum Exhibits-to-Go, meeting Tinkerbell, and a fun scavenger hunt! And most importantly, the opportunity to sign up for their very own Library card! Open a world of possibilities for your child with access to thousands of books, audiobooks, and other learning materials through the Library.
It’s not just the children who get to have fun at the Library. Besides valuable information, including car-seat safety demonstrations and developmental screenings, Expo attendees will walk away with a free book (Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina), an APLD silicone bib, and the chance to win fabulous prizes. Enter to win one of two Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand 5-in-1 strollers and two early literacy baskets valued at $80 each! This free event is packed with activities and resources designed to ignite a passion for literacy in children of all ages and connect caregivers with valuable resources and community partners.
The second Annual Early Literacy Expo is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at the Santori Library. Share this event with your friends and family who might be interested! For more information, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/featured or contact the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.