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Put your Preschooler on the Road to Kindergarten!

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Kindergarten preregistration for School District 44 has begun. How can you support your preschooler as they approach kindergarten? 

Preschoolers are ready to build learning skills and Helen Plum Library is here to help! In this time of interrupted preschool and limited library access, we have you covered with these engaging learning activities: 

Road to Kindergarten 

Register your child (age 3–5) on Beanstack or in person for our online challenge, which runs Mar 1–Apr 30. Visit the Library for your free journal, pencil, and crayons, or use materials from home.  

We’ve created 20 learning challenges. For each challenge, your child will hear an engaging story read on YouTube. Then, they’ll use their journal to complete related skill-based activities. The 20 challenges cover physical, social, emotional, and intellectual learning while also being a whole lot of fun!  

Your child will earn a virtual badge on Beanstack for each challenge completed. If your child completes all 20 challenges, come to the Library to select a free paperback book. 

Children may complete these activities as they are able to and will need help from an adult or older sibling to write down their ideas. These challenges are meant to be fun learning opportunities. Enjoy them your own way! 

Send us some photos of your child’s work—we would love to cheer you on. Email us at youthservices@helenplum.org or tag us on social media! 

DIY Storytimes  

Access DIY Storytimes from our website or subscribe to have them delivered to your inbox twice weekly. You will find storytime favorites read aloud online, as well as suggested rhymes, songs, and crafts. Tuesday features a fun theme and Thursday brings you a letter of the week.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten 

Your child is welcome to participate in multiple Beanstack challenges! Register on Beanstack or in person. Sharing 1000 books with your child may sound daunting, but it’s only about three books a day for a year! Children who are read to enter school with strong vocabulary and advanced comprehension skills. 

Track your child’s books by title or simply by quantity. You may add your Road to Kindergarten or DIY Storytime stories to your total. All reading counts! We’ll sweeten your child’s success by providing a choice of free books at each 200-book milestone. 

Stop by the Youth Services Desk, email youthservices@helenplum.org, or call (630) 627-0316. We’d love to tell you all about it.