A medida que llega el otoño y la luz del dĂa comienza a desvanecerse un poco antes, las familias suelen encontrarse ajustando sus ritmos. Los dĂas se vuelven más cortos, las noches más acogedoras, y surge una suave invitaciĂłn a desacelerar. Para los padres y los niños pequeños, este cambio de estaciĂłn puede traer tanto consuelo como desafĂo, especialmente cuando nuestras rutinas, horarios de sueño y niveles de energĂa comienzan a cambiar.
Un ritual acogedor por la mañana, como leer juntos bajo una manta con una bebida caliente antes de comenzar el dĂa.
Caminatas tranquilas en familia al atardecer para disfrutar del cambio de las hojas y conversar sobre lo que observan juntos.
Leer Juntos: Historias que Reconfortan y Conectan
Los libros pueden ayudar a los niños a comprender las transiciones —desde los cambios de estación hasta las nuevas rutinas. Elige historias que reflejen calidez, conexión y adaptabilidad. Leer estos libros juntos puede abrir conversaciones amables sobre los cambios, el consuelo y el sentido de pertenencia.
Aquà tienes algunas lecturas maravillosas para el otoño y para fortalecer los lazos familiares:
As autumn settles in and daylight begins to fade a little earlier, families often find themselves adjusting to new rhythms. The days grow shorter, evenings cozier, and there’s a gentle invitation to slow down. For parents and young children, this seasonal shift can bring both comfort and challenge especially when our routines, sleep schedules, and energy levels start to change.
Embracing the Shift: Self-Care Through Routine and Rhythm
The change in daylight can affect everyone differently. Children might feel sleepy earlier or more restless as their bodies adjust. Parents, too, may feel that tug between busy schedules and the need for rest.
Creating gentle routines can help everyone feel grounded. Try:
A “wind-down” reading time after dinner, before the evening gets too dark.
A cozy morning ritual, like reading together with a blanket and warm drink before starting the day.
Quiet family walks at dusk to enjoy the changing leaves and talk about what you notice together.
Reading Together: Stories That Comfort and Connect
Books can help children make sense of transitions from changing seasons to new routines. Choose stories that reflect warmth, connection, and adaptability. Reading these books together can open gentle conversations about changes, comfort, and belonging.
Here are a few wonderful reads for fall and family connection:
We want to inform you of a recent development impacting libraries nationwide, including the Yolo County Library. Baker & Taylor, our primary book wholesaler, is unexpectedly closing its operations. For many years, they’ve played a vital role in helping us stock our shelves efficiently and stretch every dollar in our materials budget.
We are actively working to navigate this change to ensure continued access to the books you love. However, during this transition, you will notice delays in the arrival of new releases and requested titles.
We have shifted materials ordering to our secondary vendor and other sources. Â Nonetheless, we expect continued delays during this process.
Meanwhile, explore the library’s available materials:
Explore Link+. Through Link+, you are connected with other CA libraries outside of Yolo County Library. Using your library card, you can place requests for available materials and have them delivered to your Yolo County Library location of choice.
Actividades Fáciles de literatura para el Hogar o la Escuela
Aquà te compartimos algunas formas divertidas y cariñosas de apoyar las habilidades de lectura de tu hijo/a:
Cuentos con Abrazos
Acurrúquense con un libro favorito—¡aunque solo quieran mirar las imágenes! Describan lo que ven juntos. Permite que tu hijo pase las páginas. Usa voces graciosas para los personajes.
Canta y RĂe con Canciones
Canciones como “Estrellita dónde estás” o “La araña pequeñita” tienen ritmo, repeticiones y movimientos con las manos que ayudan al lenguaje y la coordinación.
¡Puedes pedir prestado un kit gratuito de evaluación ASQ!
¿Quieres saber cómo va el desarrollo de tu hijo/a? Ahora puedes pedir prestado un kit con el Cuestionario de Edades y Etapas (ASQ) en la biblioteca. Es una herramienta sencilla y amigable para las familias que ayuda a seguir el crecimiento del niño en áreas como el lenguaje, la motricidad y la resolución de problemas.
At the heart of every child’s growth is the joy of learning, and one of the best ways to support that growth is through literacy activities that are fun, loving, and tailored to each child’s unique way of learning. If you are caring for a child with developmental disabilities, you already know how special and amazing their learning journey is. Every small step matters! Whether you’re at home, in school, or visiting the library, there are so many easy and joyful ways to bring literacy into your child’s world.
What is Literacy (and Why It’s More Than Reading!)
Literacy is more than just reading books. It’s also listening to stories, looking at pictures, singing songs, learning new words, and exploring the world with curiosity. For children with developmental delays or disabilities, everyday moments can be meaningful opportunities to build language and communication skills.
Easy Literacy Activities to Try at Home or School
Here are some fun, gentle ways to support your child’s literacy skills:
Story Time Snuggles
Cuddle up with a favorite book—even if your child only wants to look at the pictures. Describe what you see together. Let them turn the pages. Use silly voices for the characters.
Sing-Along Songs & Rhymes
Songs like “Twinkle Twinkle” or “Itsy Bitsy Spider” are full of rhythm, repetition, and hand motions that help with language and motor development.
Use Picture Books or Wordless Books
Let your child make up the story based on the pictures—or you can tell one together! Books without words are wonderful for imagination.
The Library is Your Literacy Partner!
We are proud to share that the Yolo County Library, in collaboration with Yolo County Help Me Grow, is here to support your family.
Wondering how your child is doing in their development? You can check out an Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) kit from the library! It’s a simple, parent-friendly tool that helps track your child’s growth in areas like communication, motor skills, and problem-solving.
Every Child is a Story Waiting to Be Told
Every child learns in their own way, at their own pace, and that’s something to celebrate. With love, patience, and a little creativity, literacy can become a joyful part of your family’s everyday life. Sing a song, tell a story, and visit your library… you never know what adventures await!
En medio del ajetreo diario, es fácil pasar por alto esos momentos tranquilos pero significativos—y muchas veces, ahĂ es donde ocurre la verdadera magia. Leer juntos, aunque sea solo unos minutos al dĂa, puede convertirse en una de las partes más gratificantes de la rutina familiar.
Ya sea un cuento antes de dormir o una lectura acogedora por la tarde en el sofá, compartir libros con los niños pequeños va mucho más allá del aprendizaje temprano. Fortalece el desarrollo del lenguaje, estimula la imaginaciĂłn y crea un fuerte vĂnculo emocional entre padres e hijos.
¿La mejor parte? Crear un hábito de lectura en familia no tiene que ser largo ni complicado. Se trata de ser constantes y de conectar. Cuando los niños ven la lectura como una parte alegre y natural del hogar, están dando sus primeros pasos hacia el amor por los libros que puede durar toda la vida.
Leer en voz alta con tu hijo no solo le enseña palabras—le enseña a amar las palabras. Cuando los libros se convierten en parte del ritmo diario, los niños asocian las historias con momentos de consuelo, alegrĂa y seguridad. Esta base alimenta el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida y fortalece el lazo entre padres e hijos. Además, ¡solo 10 a 15 minutos al dĂa pueden marcar una gran diferencia!
Da el ejemplo: Los niños aprenden observando. Si te ven disfrutar de los libros, querrán imitarlos.
Recomendaciones de libros para los más pequeños:
AquĂ tienes algunos tĂtulos encantadores y atractivos, ideales para los primeros lectores. Libros que invitan a las risas antes del momento de calma, despiertan curiosidad y ofrecen consuelo:
In the bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the quiet, meaningful moments but those moments are often where the magic happens. Reading together, even for just a few minutes a day, can become one of the most rewarding parts of your family’s routine.
Whether it’s a bedtime story or a snuggly afternoon read on the couch, sharing books with young children supports more than just early learning. It strengthens language development, sparks imagination, and builds a strong emotional bond between you and your child.
The good news? A family reading habit doesn’t have to be long or elaborate. It’s about consistency and connection. When children see reading as a regular, joyful part of home life, it sets the foundation for a lifelong love of books.
Why a Reading Routine Matters
Reading aloud with your child does more than teach them words—it shares a love for words. When books become part of your daily rhythm, children begin to associate stories with comfort, joy, and security. This foundation supports lifelong learning and a deeper bond between parent and child. Plus, just 10–15 minutes a day of shared reading can make a lasting difference.
Tips for Building a Reading Routine:
Set a regular time: Bedtime is a popular choice, but morning snuggles, or after-school quiet time can work just as well.
Create a reading nook: A comfy chair, a soft blanket, and a little basket of books nearby can invite children in.
Let them choose: Even if it means reading the same book for the tenth time this week, letting your child lead builds confidence and enthusiasm.
Model reading: Children learn by watching. If they see you enjoying books, they’ll want to join in too.
Book Recommendations for Young Children
Here are a few sweet and engaging titles perfect for little readers. These books that offer comfort, spark questions, and invite shaking off giggles before quiet time:
You can access more than 300,000 e-books and audiobooks available on The Palace Project, a free mobile phone app, thanks to a grant from the California State Library.
Palace Project has integrated Yolo County Library’s Overdrive, SimplyE, enki books, audiobooks, and more all in one place. Find it in the  Apple Store or Google Play
Take a look at this short intro video and learn how to use the Palace Project app.
Free access to The New York Times Online for 72 hours. Click on the “REDEEM” button. Then create an account or log in with your email address and password. For more information, please watch the short videos which can be found on the Research page. If you have questions about accessing the NYT, please contact NYT@library.ca.gov.Â
Find your next great read. Learn more about books and genres you like with Novelist Plus.
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory and homelands of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. For more information, please go to: www.yochadehe.gov