As a childcare provider, you are in a position to support families in promoting early literacy and in laying the earliest foundations for children's interest in reading. Children who are read to at an early age are more likely to recognize letters, recognize words by sight, and understand words in context when they reach preschool age. These interactions also provide an important means for parents and educators to build the attentive, affectionate bonds with young children that facilitate brain development.
The program is going great! It is so good to see the students and families excited to select their own titles. In total, families have selected over 300 books.
--Andrea Foster, Educare Kellom in Omaha
How It Works
Licensed Family I, Family II, and Center-based Nebraska childcare providers around the state registered to receive free books from the Nebraska Growing Readers program. These books are made available to families to take home for free where they can build a library and enhance the shared reading habits that make for lifelong readers.
Registered providers:
- Receive monthly shipments of books (through end of 2024 or as long as funding lasts).
- Can promote the Growing Reader program to families using resources available on this website so that they can pick up books to read at home.
- Can use our resources to create events that share the benefits of Nebraska Growing Readers with families and the community.
- Can find books in the Nebraska Growing Readers Library provided by Unite for Literacy that you can read or listen to aloud in a variety of languages.
- Can share a variety of books written about Nebraska-related topics that children will connect to.
Get Families Involved
One of the most important factors for laying a foundation of reading success is to generate family engagement. Here are some ideas for getting your families involved with Nebraska Growing Readers:
- Tell families about the books using methods of communication your families are already used to. If you usually text them, text a photo of the new books when they arrive every month; if you have a newsletter, add an announcement about the books and highlight one every month; talk to them and pass out books when kids are getting picked up;
- Make finding books and other materials such as surveys easy- have the books out during pick up; have a QR to the library 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 QR codes;
- We know that every setting will do things differently, and that's great! Do what works for you and your families.
Visit the NGR Library
The books you are receiving in hard copy are also available as digital texts and include features that can be useful, such as:
- Read aloud function--click on a page to hear it read aloud.
- Translation--Some books are available in multiple languages and can be heard read aloud in those languages.
- Recommendations for other similar texts.
- Tips for activities using the books.
If you are not currently receiving Nebraska Growing Readers books, you can still access the digital library for free!
To access the library, please click the button below.
Resources for Early Childhood Professionals
Promotional Posters
Book Display Signs
Other Resources
Join Us on Facebook
Nebraska Growing Readers has a Facebook Group where you can get up-to-date information about the program; engage with this program and the other NGR provider sites; and share ideas, resources, and tips for getting kids excited about reading.
This private group, will require you to answer a question to get in. There are no wrong answers. We just want to assure a safe space specifically for providers.
