Resources
Southwest Iowa Raise Me to ReadFamily & Caregiver Resources
Check out these fantastic early literacy resources!
Cox Campus
Educators and families are facing unique challenges during this time. The Cox Campus is your go-to place for free professional development, teaching resources, and more.
Storytime with Miss Anna
Join Miss Anna from the Council Bluffs Public Library for virtual storytime!
Raising Readers
These resources will help you expand your knowledge of early literacy, give you ideas on sharing books with your child and how to help her get a good start on reading and learning.
Unite for Literacy
A vast library of free, digital, picture books!
Here Wee Read
Here Wee Read is an early literacy blog focused on connecting people with diverse and inclusive books, kid-friendly products and family experiences they will love.
Bedtime FM
Bedtime FM is an independent podcast producer, bringing you original content — for children of all ages.
Our first show Story Time, is a free fortnightly children’s story podcast featuring stories written by guest children’s authors, and narrated by a talented team of parents spread across the globe.
Story Blocks
Storyblocks is a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, working in partnership with Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Services. It is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood. Each video clip includes helpful early literacy tips to increase caregivers’ understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs.
Story Online
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Local Resources
Early literacy and family support resources in Pottawatomie County.
United Way 211
United Way 211 helps people find the resources they need, from education to housing to food, in your own community.
Little Free Libraries
Little Free Library is a nonprofit that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries. Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Check their website to find a Little Free Library near you!
FAMILY, Inc.
FAMILY, Inc. provides public health and family support services to women, children and families in Pottawattamie and Mills Counties. It is FAMILY’s primary goal to assist parents in becoming their child’s first and most influential teacher through education, empowerment, and wellness.
Resources for Educators
Information for educators and early literacy professionals
Colorado Public Libraries Early Literacy Framework
This Early Literacy Framework for Colorado public libraries is intended to point to the next level of early literacy in public libraries for 2020 through 2025. The Colorado State Library recognizes that libraries prioritize their funds, staff, and resources based on their local needs and goals even as they have varied resources, funding, and staff for early literacy.
National Center on Improving Literacy
Find evidence-based approaches and effective professional development to screen, identify, and teach students with literacy-related difficulties.
DIBS for Kids
DIBS for Kids is a nonprofit headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. They build software that supports teachers to send more books home with their students and, in turn, make significant literacy gains in the classroom.
Bay Area Discovery Museum
The Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) is a one of a kind, interactive, learning museum, whos work is backed by intensive research. This research, shared freely on their website, will help Early Childhood professionals better understand the everchanging learning landscape.
Education Amplifier
Education Amplifier provides free artwork, lesson plans and teaching tools that help facilitate non-partisan conversations around social justice in K-12 classrooms.
Saroj Ghoting
Saroj Ghoting is an Early Childhood Literacy Consultant and national trainer on early literacy. She has presented early literacy training and information sessions at national, regional, and state conferences, and training for library staff and their partners. Her extensive Early Literacy research is useful to all Early Childhood professionals
Urban Thinkscape
Urban Thinkscape brings the benefits of playful learning, which combines the enjoyable nature of play with a learning goal, to a community setting. Examples include puzzles at bus stops that stimulate spatial skills; movable parts on park benches that become opportunities for exploring language, color, and numbers while on-site signage and this website connect families to additional information and resources about the links between play and learning.