Ramadan is more than abstaining from food or beverages during the day for those who belong to the Muslim faith. It is a time for contemplation and reflection that culminates in a great family celebration called Eid al-Fitr. This year Ramadan began on April 2nd and will end on May 2nd with the feast of Eid.
For celebrating or learning more about Ramadan and Eid with your little ones, here are some books about this festive month:
Follow Zahra, a Muslim girl’s sweet story about the important values such as sharing and kindness towards others that are rooted in Islamic traditions.
El Ramadán es más que abstenerse de comer o beber durante el dÃa para aquellos que pertenecen a la fe musulmana. Es un momento que invita a la contemplación y reflexión que culmina con una gran celebración en familia llamada Eid al-Fitr. Este año Ramadán comenzó el 2ndo de abril y terminará el 2ndo de mayo con la fiesta de Eid.
Sigue a Zahra, una niña musulmana relatando una dulce historia sobre los importantes valores como el compartir y la bondad hacia otros que están arraigados en las tradiciones islámicas.
Surprise! Writing does not magically happen when a child picks up a pencil and begins to write.
To begin writing, children must cultivate certain skills. Generally, children between the ages of three and four are not yet developed enough to trace letters. For this to occur, motor skills need to be established. Children need to learn these skills.
Motor skills help children’s development – it even helps them learn to read! When children know the shape of letters, the brain finds it easier to organize letters and form words.
To begin writing, ten skills need to be mastered, today we will talk about five of them:
1. Upper Extremity Strength
To help your little one get strong, you can use yoga poses that focus on the arms and the hands. Check out this cute book about all the yoga animal poses or use this instructional video to continue practicing yoga poses with your child.
2. Bilateral integration.
Bilateral integration is the ability to use the limbs on both sides of the body at the same time. To develop this skill, your child can manipulate play dough or trace various figures by alternating their little hands with popsicle sticks.
3. Finger isolation
Learning to move fingers individually or pinching them like crab claws may seem like a futile skill. However, these exercises will make it easier for your child to grip the pencil firmly when it comes to writing. Singing songs and using the fingers to relate what is happening in the story are excellent exercises for mastering this skill. Here are two different songs to help your children learn to isolate their fingers:
To help your little one develop and hone this skill, you can use items such as the sensory books and toys contained in our Storytime Kit: Toddler Time.
Hand-eye coordination is not only necessary for balance or sports. It is also an important skill for learning to write because it allows children to use their vision and muscles simultaneously when writing. Your child can practice this skill by picking up stuff with clothespins or stringing pasta between thread or pipe cleaners.
TAGS:Â Writing, Motor Skills, Hand-eye coordination
¡Sorpresa! La escritura no sucede por arte de magia al tomar un lápiz y empezar a escribir una letra tras otra. Para dominar las letras, los niños deben cultivar ciertas habilidades que conducen a la adquisición de la escritura. Generalmente, los niños entre tres y cuatro años aún no están desarrollados lo suficientemente para trazar las letras. Para eso se requiere establecer las destrezas motrices ya que es de suma importancia adquirir estas primero para que al organizar las letras y formar palabras en sus cerebros ocurra con toda naturalidad.
Esto requiere dominar diez habilidades, hoy hablaremos sobre cinco de ellas:
Fortaleza en los brazos y las manos.
Para ayudar a tu pequeño a fortalecer sus extremidades superiores, puedes utilizar poses de yoga concentradas en los brazos y las manos. Echa un vistazo a este lindo libro sobre un conejito y sus amigos haciendo yoga en el bosque o utiliza este video instructivo para seguir practicando las poses de yoga con tu niño.
Integración bilateral.
Integración bilateral es la habilidad de utilizar las extremidades de ambos lados del cuerpo simultáneamente. Para desarrollar esta habilidad, tu niño puede manipular plastilina o trazar varias figuras alternando sus manitas con palitos de helado.
Aislamiento de los dedos
Aprender a mover los dedos individualmente o pinchar sus dedos como tenazas de cangrejo tal vez parecerá una habilidad fútil. Sin embargo, estos ejercicios le facilitarán a su niño agarrar un lápiz con firmeza a la hora de escribir. Cantando canciones y utilizando sus dedos para relatar lo que ocurre en la canción, son excelentes ejercicios para dominar esta habilidad. Aquà les comparto dos canciones para que sus niños aprendan aislar sus dedos:
Para ayudar a desarrollar y afinar esta habilidad, puede utilizar objetos como los libros sensoriales y juguetes que contiene nuestro Storytime Kit: Toddler Time.
Para muchos inmigrantes como yo que vienen de provincias o pueblos pequeños, descubrir la biblioteca es una experiencia inigualable. Recuerdo como si fuera ayer el nostálgico aroma al voltear las páginas de un libro nuevo y el asombro al realizar una búsqueda básica en una de aquellas computadoras torpes nada comparables con la tableta que ahora utilizo para escribir. Más allá de tener una multitud de libros al alcance, el poder acceder a la tecnologÃa, y asistir a programas para todas las edades, mi asombro ha sido y será siempre el hecho de que toda esta sabidurÃa infinita se puede acceder sin costo alguno en una biblioteca. Es por eso que hoy con mucho orgullo y gusto les comparto una lista de programas y recursos gratis disponibles para usted en nuestras bibliotecas.
SabÃas que puedes llevarte a casa una tableta de aprendizaje por 3 semanas? Pasa hoy por tu biblioteca hoy mismo para sacar una con tu tarjeta de biblioteca.
Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe
Acompañamos a escuchar cuentos, cantar canciones y hacer manualidades en persona o virtualmente. Haz click aquà para ver el calendario de eventos en tu biblioteca más cercana.
Descarga las aplicaciones Libby y Overdrive con tu cuenta de biblioteca para leer libros en tu tableta o escuchar audiolibros en cualquier dispositivo tecnológico.
Libros en CD/ Libros con CD acompañado
Escucha horas de tu libro favorito en cd como El PrÃncipe Caspian sin leer una palabra o sigue un cuento en un libro con su CD acompañado como el popular libro de niños Coco si prefieres. Pasa por tu biblioteca local para ver nuestra colección de libros en CD o libros con CD acompañados.
For many immigrants, like me, who come from provinces or small towns, discovering the library is an experience like no other. I remember as if it were yesterday the aroma of a new book. The amazement I felt while doing a search on a library computer (so simple compared to the tablet I now use). The multitude of books within reach, the access to technology, and programs for all ages – my amazement has been and continues to be the fact that this infinite knowledge can be accessed at no cost in a library. That is why today, with great pride and gusto, I share with you a list of free programs and resources available to you in our libraries.
Ready Rosie
Sign up for this virtual newsletter to learn with short family videos. The videos are available in English and Spanish.
Launchpad Tablets
Did you know that you can take home a learning tablet for 3 weeks? Stop by your library today to check one out with your library card.
Bilingual Storytime
We accompany them to listen to stories, sing songs, and do crafts in person or virtually. Click here to see the calendar of events at your nearest library.
Call (530)298-9990 to listen to a story in English or Spanish.
English Conversation Group
Join this virtual group to chat in English with other members of the community. To join this learning community (for people 18 and over), contact Nancy Pacheco at nancy.pacheco@yolocounty.org or phone number 530-666-8019.
Bilingual Backpacks
Take one of our bilingual backpacks home today for three weeks to enjoy with your family. Each of our backpacks contains different themes with books in Spanish and English and fun crafts to enjoy as a family.
Storytime Kits
These kits contain several books in English in Spanish as well as toys for your little one to enjoy.
DVD Movies
Enjoy your favorite movies in Spanish or English as a family. The popular Disney movie Encanto is now available in our collection. Watch this video to learn how to put a hold on this and get on the waiting list.
E-books and Audiobooks
Download the Libby and Overdrive apps with your library account to read books on your tablet or to listen to audiobooks on any device.
Books on CD/ Books with CDs
Listen to your favorite book on CD like Harry Potter for hours without reading a word. Listen and read together with a book/CD combination that you find in the classic tale of Strega Nona.  Stop by your local library to see our collection of books on CD or books with CDs.
TAGS:Â Library, Events, Kits, Audiobooks, eBooks, Books on CD, Early Literacy, Resources
Whether it’s visiting relatives or running a quick errand, planning an outing with kids tends to be a bit stressful for everyone. Children naturally love to discover new things and new places. Sometimes, though, the journey to reach those fun moments can take too long. It’s tempting to plop them in front of a screen to prevent tantrums and whining but fear not, it’s entirely possible to have a happy and incident-free trip. Here are five tips for traveling with your children:
Sufficient Snacks
Snacks are the key to keeping the peace on a long trip. Having healthy snacks without a lot of sugar will help you and your little one have a pleasant trip. Try nuts, crackers, cheese slices, and fruit. These snacks will keep your little one calm during a long and possibly noisy trip. Remember, children do not always know how to express their physiological needs, that is why it is important to bring at least one snack for every hour of the trip.
Headphone Heaven
Invest in some noise-canceling headphones. Children, neurodivergent or not, face an enormous challenge while physically being in a new and noisy environment. A pair of headphones is a wonderful tool for your child to stay emotionally regulated during the trip, whether they feel tired and want to block out the noise to sleep or feel overwhelmed by the sounds around them.
Test of Time
Since children learn the concept of time throughout their lives, it is your responsibility to remind your child of what is going to happen during your trip to avoid meltdowns. For example, you can start by telling them where you plan to go an hour in advance and pick out an outfit together to get ready for the trip. Try to include your child in all activities in preparation for your trip and start a countdown every ten or five minutes, thirty minutes in advance before you travel. With practice, you will learn what works best for your child.
Mountain of Messes
When traveling with children, it is inevitable that some kind of unexpected mess will occur. As a parent or child care provider, you’re probably already used to spilled cups of milk, clothing drenched in food, etc., so you’re typically prepared for anything. A trip on public transport is no exception, so remember to bring a spare outfit and extra diapers.
Badly Bored
Children have a shorter attention span than adults. This ability to stay focused strengthens as they get older. That is why as parents or guardians we can’t really expect children to entertain themselves all the time. Instead, doing enriching activities that allow for learning will make the trip a better experience. For example, a scavenger hunt or bingo with objects along your journey will be fun and a great brain exercise. Don’t forget to check out the sample trip activities I’ve provided at the end of this blog! Singing songs or reading books before, after, or during your trip is also a great option. Finally, although these activities undoubtedly help keep your little one entertained, remember that it is healthy to let your children explore the labyrinths of their own minds to strengthen their imagination.
As always, here are some cool books to read along on your next trip on the bus or the metro with your little ones:
Ya sea una visita a familiares o un viaje rápido para hacer un mandado, planeando una salida con niños tiende a ser un poco estresante para todos. Los niños por naturaleza aman descubrir cosas nuevas y la novedad de un ambiente nuevo aunque la jornada para llegar a esos momentos divertidos puede ser un poco difÃcil para ellos. Es tentadora la idea al plantarlos en frente de una pantalla para evitar berrinches y lloriqueos pero no temas, es totalmente posible tener un viaje contento sin incidente alguno. Aquà te comparto cinco tips para viajar en transporte público o en tu propio vehÃculo con tus niños.
Bastantes Bocadillos
Los bocadillos son la clave para mantener la paz en un viaje largo. Tener bocadillos saludables sin concentraciones grandes de azúcar a la mano ayudará a que tu y tu pequeño ambos tengan un viaje placentero. Bocadillos como nueces, galletas de sal, rajas de queso y fruta mantendrán a tu pequeño en un estado regulado emocionalmente en un ambiente ruidoso. Recuerda que los niños no siempre saben expresar sus necesidades fisiológicas, es por eso que es importante traer un bocadillo por lo menos por cada hora en el viaje.
Audifonos son tus Amigos
Invierte en unos audÃfonos con cancelación de ruido. Los niños, neurodivergente o no, se enfrentan a un desafÃo enorme al estar fÃsicamente en un ambiente nuevo y ruidoso. Un par de audÃfonos es una maravilla para que tu niño se mantenga regulado emocionalmente durante el viaje ya se sienta cansado y quiera bloquear el ruido para dormir o se sienta abrumado por los sonidos a su alrededor.
Todo con Tiempo
Los niños aprenden al transcurso de su vida el concepto del tiempo. Por ende, es tu responsabilidad como adulto recordar a tu niño lo que va transcurrir a lo largo del viaje y particularmente lo que tiene que ocurrir antes de viajar para evitar meltdowns. Por ejemplo, puedes comenzar a decirle un hora antes a donde planean ir y escoger un atuendo juntos para prepararse para viajar. Trata de incluir a tu niño en toda actividad en preparación para el viaje y empieza una cuenta regresiva cada diez y cinco minutos cuando falten treinta minutos antes de viajar.
Valentine’s Day is recognized in many countries. In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is known as the Day of Love and Friendship. As in Mexico, many people enjoy this special day with their loved ones. In recent years, due to the pandemic, it has been difficult to celebrate with our loved ones. For many of us this year is no different. In hard times like these, it is necessary to model resilience to children and show that despite the changes we can support our loved ones. The good thing is that technology has served us well by helping us keep in touch with our favorite people. Apps with video have been essential for us to communicate with one another during the pandemic.
Libraries have adapted to these changes by offering free virtual programs to our community as a great gesture of love.
From our library to you, I’d like to share 3 current virtual events to celebrate Valentine’s Day all month long:
1. Bilingual Storytime with Miss Gaby
Enjoy songs and stories with your little ones. Mondays from 6:30 to 7:00 pm.
2. Mother Goose on the Loose
Tuesdays at 10:15 am to listen to stories, sing songs, and recite classical rhymes for babies and their loved ones. This program is specially designed for the emotional and social development of your baby.
3. Lunch Storytime With Friends
On Wednesdays, join us virtually with your favorite lunch food, participate in activities and listen to stories in English.
Enjoy these 3 bilingual books with themes on friendship and love:
2. One of a kind like me = Unique Like Me by Laurin Mayeno
This is a sweet story about unconditional love and the beauty of individuality. It is a unique book that lifts up children who do not conform to gender stereotypes and reflects the power of a loving and supportive community.
3. Imagine = Imagine / John Lennon
Join this little dove on her journey around the world to spread a message of peace and friendship among birds all over the planet, of all sizes and colors. Set to the words of John Lennon’s immortal song and created in collaboration with Amnesty International, this moving book dares to imagine a world at peace.
Las bibliotecas no son la excepción y nos hemos adaptado al cambio ofreciendo programas virtuales gratis a nuestra comunidad como un gran gesto de amor. De nuestra biblioteca a Ustedes, aquà les comparto 3 eventos virtuales para celebrar el dia del Amor y la Amistad todo el mes:
3. Imagine = Imagina / John Lennon
Únete a esta palomita en su viaje por el mundo para difundir un mensaje de paz y amistad entre las aves de todo el planeta, de todos los tamaños y colores. Con la letra de la inmortal canción de John Lennon y creado en colaboración con AmnistÃa Internacional, este libro conmovedor se atreve a imaginar un mundo en paz.
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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
