Simple Steps to Success: Sing

Over the next several weeks, we're talking about the importance of early literacy skills and highlighting how the Simple Steps to Success program can help parents and caregivers incorporate those skills into their everyday lives.

Our Outreach Librarian, Maddie Bassman, has been involved in early literacy for several years. Maddie is a passionate advocate for literacy for all ages in the Des Moines Community. Since 2014, she has worked the Central Library and East Side Library in various roles, engaging families with literacy support both in the library and out in community settings.  This week, she's discussing SING.

Maddie on how singing helps build early literacy skills:

Singing helps children - even babies - hear the different parts of the word. When you sing it-sy bit-sy spi-der, you hear each sound in the word. This helps as they begin sounding out words and learning to read.

Singing a song with a freeze dance not only helps with sounding out words, but teaches actions and impulse control. Songs also use unique words not heard in conversation, which helps builds vocabulary in the long term.

If you speak more than one language, sing to your child in whatever language feels most comfortable to you. Children are able to learn multiple languages easily, and they will make stronger connections to the songs you enjoy singing!

Simple Steps Activities: February 7-13

• Simple Steps Spot: Color Walk
  • February 7 | South Side Library
• Simple Steps: Sing/Pasos Sencillos: Cantar
  • February 1 | Forest Avenue Library
• Simple Steps Spot: Play
  • February 7-9 | Franklin Avenue Library
• Simple Steps Spot: Dot Marker Painting
  • February 7-13 | Central Library
• Simple Steps Spot: Tape Walk
  • February 8 | East Side Library
• Simple Steps Spot: Play
  • February 9-12 | North Side Library