Author: Mickie Stiers

Print Motivation

Print Motivation Grab & Go Station: Materials / Instructions for Librarians
Make sample stick puppets, a sample book drop and mailbox to display on the table.
Families can make their own book drops and mailboxes to take home if you provide the following:
Empty cardboard boxes and tissue boxes (perhaps stack these under the table, or refer families to the children’s desk to pick one up?). Pre-cut the slots in the cardboard boxes for families to make book drops.
Safety scissors
Glue sticks
Crayons
Craft paper
Choose a variety of board books and picture books to display on this station. Include age-appropriate non-fiction titles. Use the Print Motivation Booklist, included, for ideas.
Make a cozy reading spot for families to cuddle up and read near (but not right next to) the Print Motivation station. Use bean bag chairs or a small sofa, or just a couple floor pillows or a comfortable rug, and signage to encourage families to sit and read.
Post your storytime and event schedules on or near this station, and set out copies for families to take home.
Set out library card applications and pens. You may track these applications by marking them or copying them on a different color paper than your regular library card applications.

Print Motivation

Books to encourage Print Motivation
For Babies
Select books designed for babies to explore. Board books are sturdy, colorful, and just the right size for tiny hands. Find books you both enjoy and talk about the pictures. Carry books with you throughout the day. Read favorite books over and over again.
Can You Choo-Choo? by David Wojtowycz
Counting Kisses by Karen Katz
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Peek-a-Boo! (Baby Faces) by Roberta Grobel Intrater
Peek-a-Moo! by Maria Torres Cimarusti
Piggies by Audrey Wood
You and Me, Baby by Lynn Reiser
For Toddlers (2-3 years)
Toddlers love having special times every day to share books. Make reading a habit before naps and bedtime. Throughout the day, talk about the books you have read and enjoyed. Enjoy books illustrated with photographs and those with artwork. You do not have to read every word.
Cookie Count by Robert Sabuda
Dig Dig Digging by Margaret Mayo
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen
"More, More, More," Said the Baby by Vera Williams
Pete’s a Pizza by William Steig
For Preschoolers (4-5 years)
Preschoolers have developed specific interests, and enjoy learning about the way the world works. Find books to explore together about those interests. Find additional books by an author that you both really enjoy. Check out both silly and serious books to share.
Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont
Lola Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn
There Are Cats in This Book by Viviane Schwartz
A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner
We are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Print Motivation

Babies
Activity #1
Share board books, bath books and cloth books with your baby. It is natural for babies to bite on books, and this actually helps them be come familiar and comfortable with books.
You can gently take the book from your baby’s mouth (do not scold!) and open it to show your baby the pictures. Show your baby how fun it is to share a book together, even if it is just for a couple of minutes at a time. A book is a toy at this age.

Print Motivation

Babies:
Activity #2
Make books an everyday part of baby’s life. Have books around the house, and share them with your baby regularly. Read aloud, using fun voices, loud and soft sounds, and
actions. Use a puppet or stuffed animal to help read or tell a story to your baby. Read to your self (with one eye on baby!) when your baby is occupied at play; it’s never too early to model the enjoyment of reading.

Print Motivation

Toddlers
Activity #1
Make books an everyday part of your toddler’s life. Read when you and your toddler are in a good mood, so the
experience is a positive one. Make shared book reading a special time for you and your child. Incorporate
snuggles and giggles as well as
reading. Stop reading whenever your toddler tires or loses
interest – you can always pick back up later!

Print Motivation

Toddlers
Activity #2
Create a toddler-sized, library-style "book drop". You will need a grocery-size card board box, a craft knife, and your choice of decorations. Cut several rectangular slots in the box to “return” books. Paint or paper the box to resemble a library book drop, or have your toddler decorate it with crayons. Give your toddler books to “return” to the book drop, or have him or her find books scattered on the floor or hidden around the room to “return”.

Print Motivation

Preschoolers
Activity #1
Encourage your preschooler to retell
favorite stories. Make Story Character Stick Puppets to share familiar stories or make up new stories. You will need
construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, and craft sticks (popsicle sticks). You or your child draw pictures of story characters on the construction
paper. Cut out the figures and glue each onto a craft stick. Preschoolers can also use stuffed animals,
action figures, dolls, or other
toys to act out stories!

Print Motivation

Preschoolers
Activity #2
Make a mailbox for your preschooler to play with and share notes! You will need an empty tissue box, scissors, construction paper, crayons, and glue. Cut construction paper to fit around the sizes of the tissue box. Write your child’s name on the paper, and have him or her draw pictures to decorate it. Glue the paper around the sides of the tissue box. Write brief notes on small pieces of paper. Use the opening on top of the mailbox to leave your notes for your preschooler to discover and enjoy reading
together. Other family
members and friends will enjoy writing notes to “mail” to your preschooler as well!