Our mission is not to teach reading but to help parents and children get ready to learn to read and write. Early literacy is what children know about reading and writing before they actually start formal instruction. It is the process and activities that build a foundation to help children get ready to learn to read.
Knowing how to hold a book, learning a new word, asking a question, scribbling, or remembering the sound of a letter are all early literacy activities. Parents can help their children's readiness to read with repeated language exploration and play. Having fun with books and language at a very early age is key to future learning success.
Outreach Services
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Growing Up With Books Introduces the six concepts of early literacy to parents and caregivers.Provides parents and caregivers with background on current research into early childhood development. |
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Stories To GoProvides early literacy and read-aloud programs to low income children with the help of trained volunteers.Prepares special storytime kits to enhance volunteers storytimes |
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Books To Grow OnLends reading focused kits to childcare and preschool facilities. Aims to provide library services to children in the community not currently being reached. |
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Reach Out and ReadProvides free books and information to families with children six-months to five during their child visits at county clinics.Find out what doctors say about early literacy. |
What is Early Literacy
In 1996 the Contra Costa County Library was named to receive the proceeds from the Storms Living Trust. Wilma and Russell Storms of Orinda left their estate to the library specifically to bring library services to children aged 0 to 5 years.
Helpful Links
- Birth to Six
Information about early literacy and the importance of reading to children. Includes literacy activities for parents and educators. - Reading is Fundamental
The oldest and largest children's literacy organization in the United States. - Zero to Three
A national nonprofit organization that supports the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. - Talaris Research Institute
Works to improve the social, emotional and cognitive development of children from the prenatal period through age five by providing parents with tools to raise their children effectively. - OCEB
An Oregon state initiative to increase public awareness of the importance of healthy brain development during the early years of life.
Office of Early Literacy
1750 Oak Park Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 927-3288
earlylit@ccclib.org