Read from the Start – Current Month

by Brittany Hall

Read from the Start

Leer en español

 

Read from the Start – Quality Start LA has teamed up with the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) System, the LA County Library (LACL) System,  the Pasadena Public Library and Sesame Street in Communities to bring you “Read from the Start.”

Each month, QSLA and your local library systems will work together to develop a themed booklist, reading tips, and family activities all designed for families with children ages birth to five. Click on the Read from the Start booklists below to download a PDF of the list.

 

July 2022: Imagination and Play Booklist

Monthly Booklist: To print out and share!

Click on the the images below to download the PDF of the booklists, or scroll to the bottom of the page to find every book at your local Los Angeles Public, LA County Library, and Pasadena Public Library.

Monthly Activity: Dramatic Play

It’s possible to play without any toys at all! Children usually begin dramatic or fantasy play around age two. They may pretend that a block building is their house, or that the kitchen is their restaurant. Dramatic play helps kids exercise their imaginations and work on their creativity. Here are a few pretend scenes to play out:

  • Camping. Make a “tent” using a blanket and chairs, and say, “Let’s pretend to roast marshmallows!” Afterward, you can pretend to get into sleeping bag.
  • Outer Space. Take turns flying a space ship and walking on the moon. Ask kids to look out the window of their spaceship. Say, “What do you see in the sky?”
  • Restaurant. Work on memory skills as you take each other’s orders, and brainstorm delicious creations to cook. Ask kids, “What ingredients do we need? What tools can we use to cook?” Pretend to use pots, pans, and kitchen tools to create a special meal together.
  • Garden. Talk about the fruits and vegetables you want to plant. Then, pretend to dig up soil, sprinkle seeds, cover them, and water them. How tall will they grow?
  • Bath time. Pretend to wash a doll or stuffed animal. Label the body parts you’re washing and then dry off and dress the doll. Ask kids what else they might do to take care of a baby, and act it out!
This activity is inspired by Sesame Street in Communities’ activity, “Dramatic Play”

 

For more activities related to literacy, click on the links below to further engage children in stories and keep their little minds and bodies active.

25 Reading and Writing Activities

Click the links below for more books available for read aloud:

Reading is Fundamental: Some of your favorite stories available for children pre-k through 6th grade!

ASL(American Sign Language) Stories and Activities

Storyline Online: Watch as some of your favorite actors and actresses read their stories aloud to your little ones!

Read Conmigo: Free bilingual children’s books and literacy resources for children in preschool through fifth grade.

Monthly Family Reading Tip: Make Reading Fun

One of the best ways to spark imagination is by reading! By reading in new places, such as outdoors, or in an indoor blanket fort, or while wearing funny hats or costumes, you show your child that reading is fun and a positive experience for them! When reading is fun, they’ll want to do more of it!

Check these books out at your local library!

Find this month’s books available for digital download at your local library or for read-aloud on YouTube.

Access more Booklists from our Read from the Start Archive

Looking for more great resources?

Browse Quality Start LA’s collection of booklists, QSLA & LA libreria partner booklists, child-friendly activities, coronavirus resources, and holiday activities guides.