April Is Survey Month

You are probably settling into the monthly shipments of wonderful Nebraska Growing Readers books and looking for ways to make sure your families take them home. But did you know the family surveys are an important part of what we do?

Without family surveys, we can't provide the information to potential funders of Nebraska Growing Readers that will allow you to continue receiving free books. We ask then that you take some time this month to encourage families to complete the surveys.

The kids absolutely LOVE the books. It's so fun to set them out at their level and let them pick out which book they take home at the end of the day. The number of books is perfect. We usually have a few left over that we can incorporate into the classrooms as well. 

--Nicole Peck, Bubbles and Blocks in Lincoln

Completed Family Surveys Help Us Help You

If you are a registered NGR early childhood professional, please encourage your families to complete the family survey you'll find using the QR code below (or copy and paste the link provided into your browser). This information helps us continue to fund the Nebraska Growing Readers initiative so that we can keep providing your families with free books. You should have received posters you can display to make it easy for families to link to the survey (you can download extra posters by clicking on the image).

When all of your families have completed the survey, please send an email to Wendy Keele, and we will enter your name in a drawing for a chance to win a $20.00 Amazon gift card. Thank you for your cooperation!

Click on image to download a copy.

Scan the QR code with your phone to access the family survey.

Copy and paste link: https://ncff.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1BondGGIrUJr6v4 

Survey Tips

Here are some ideas for getting your families to take the quick survey:

• Use methods of communication your families are already used to. If you usually text them, text them the link;
• Make it easy- have the QR available to scan or send out the link to click;
• Use multiple methods of communication. Try a take home flyer or card as well as emailing or texting out the info;
• Use the resources we have available, such as a letter for families, flyers, a "free books" sign, and business cards with the family survey QR code.

Spring Books

Nebraska Growing Readers has a selection of books that will engage children with the sights, sounds, and smells of spring. You can use spring books to teach children about the seasons, the animals that are abundant in spring, about numbers, and about changes that occur when the weather begins to warm after winter.

You can download the spring flyer that highlights spring books by clicking on the image.

Nebraska Book Spotlight

The Birds are Busy Today is packed with colorful photos of birds in action. Children not only learn some of the types of birds they see everyday, but also will learn the things birds do and the words that describe those actions.

Teach children to count with Bunny with a B. They will also delight in the repetition of B-word sounds, word play, and the rich illustrations of bunnies doing silly things. Nebraska children will certainly have lots of things to say about the abundance of bunnies they see in springtime.

Did you enjoy spring book selections? Want to read more springtime books or see other books available in the NGR Library?

Book Signing at Educare Indian Hill

Looking for ways to get families and children excited about books? Here's an idea that can bring your families, children, and staff together and get them excited about reading.

Educare Omaha at Indian Hill held a book signing event to celebrate the release of Eating at Educare, a new picture book featuring their chef Miss Belinda and the students that enjoy her healthy food. The book was developed and written by Laura Cady as part of the Nebraska Growing Readers initiative to provide stories that speak to a range of cultural experiences.

At the event families received a copy of the book to take home and had the chance to get it signed by Miss Belinda and Laura.

If a book signing doesn't work for you, try spotlighting a food, event, or place from one of your favorite NGR books and share the book with your families. And be sure to encourage families to complete the survey!

Learn more about Nebraska Growing Readers and find resources to help you connect with families by visiting our website.

Reading Tips

One way to support your families with their home reading routine is to help them find a special place to keep their books. Having a special place for books will reinforce the idea that books are important and will create a sense of ownership for children. Encourage families to decorate a shoe, cereal or other box with their child, add the books, and set it next to their favorite reading spot at home.

Recommend a Friend: Do you know a licensed early childhood professional that isn't part of Nebraska Growing Readers? Share with them how to get their own free books for families by registering with us.

Send us your family pictures!

We'd love to see pictures of your family reading Nebraska Growing Readers books and include them in our newsletter. Please send your photos to Ivan Young and feel free to include comments on what your children enjoy about reading and the books you read to them.

We'd Like to Hear about Your Reading Habits. Providers, please take this quick, 4-minute survey about your child care’s reading habits.

Want to keep up with the latest information on Nebraska Growing Readers? Be sure to follow Nebraska Children and Families Foundation on Facebook for updates.

Nebraska Growing Readers is a collaboration between Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the Nebraska Department of Education, the Statewide Family Engagement Center, and Unite for Literacy. If you need more information or have questions, please contact Wendy Keele.

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