Early Learning with Families | A Resource for Libraries

The Early Learning with Families – ELF- initiative supports California libraries as they enhance early learning services for families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers and as centers of community activity, provide opportunities for the healthy development of young children. ELF libraries create engaging, interactive programs for young children with their parents and caregivers that support family strengths and respond to community needs.

More about ELF Mission

ELF Blog

Bessie Condos to Lead ELF Initiative

Posted in California State Library on September 18, 2008 - 2:16pm by ELF Staff

To: Public Library Directors

From: Susan Hildreth, State Librarian of California

It is my pleasure to announce that Bessie Condos, Library Programs Consultant, will return to Library Development Services (LDS) as the new lead for the Early Learning with Families (ELF) initiative. She has recently been working on the development of the Family Place project, which is an outgrowth of ELF. Given the scope of this project and it's potential for synergy with other ELF initiatives as well as the departure of Judy Klikun, a contractor serving as the ELF statewide coordinator, it seemed like the right time to have Bessie take the reins as the lead to develop a cohesive vision for supporting ELF. Her expertise in youth services and public libraries, and her passion for supporting families and their communities will be a great addition to LDS.

Bessie will continue to work on Library Bond Act projects that are her responsibility but as those projects move toward plans approval, construction and completion, Bessie's energies can be redirected to LDS. She will become an official member of the LDS team as of October 6, 2008.

When Bessie joined the California State Library (CSL), she worked in LDS and, for over the last 5 years, has been an important member of the Bond Administration Office. Please join me in wishing Bessie success in her return to her original CSL home.

Comments (0) Go To Blog

Did You Know?

Imitating Sounds

When parents imitate infant’s gurgles and use a playful loving voice, they are engaging their child. Have parents repeat sounds and words then listen for their infant’s response.

Routine for Infants and Toddlers

Create routines for infants and toddlers. It’s the way babies develop trust about their surroundings and a sense that they can count on predictable activities and responses.

Playing and Learning

A child’s job is to play. This is how they discover, experiment, explore and learn the essentials of navigating their world and develop the self-confidence to do it.

Developing Literacy Early

Talk, sing, rhyme and read to little ones beginning at birth. Invite infants and toddlers to be part of ELF activities. This interaction is essential and serves as a rich foundation in language and pre-literacy for future success in school.

Children Provide Direction

Take direction from the children. Rather than creating the direction, attend to their signals and respond to their cues. They know their own capacity and interests.

Everyday Literacy

Encourage families to take advantage of everyday activities like diaper changing and going to the store to talk to their child. Suggest that they make up nonsense rhyming words, read labels and share new vocabulary. Their little ones will learn language by hearing all kinds of sound.

Parent/Child Relationship

The relationship between the parent and child is the most critical aspect in promoting early learning. Provide opportunities for parents to interact with their infant and toddler so they can encourage engagement and promote learning.

Whole Child Development

It’s important that all aspects of a child - social, emotional, physical and cognitive – are stimulated and have an opportunity to develop. Provide opportunities for fun with sound and music, stories, play, engagement with parents, interaction with other children as well as movement and physical activity.

Fathers and Learning

Fathers have an important role in a child’s development and may be overlooked. Through their involvement, children tend to develop into better problem-solvers and to become more self-confident.

Join Your Child in Play

Encourage parents to join their child in play, have fun together and delight in their discoveries. It’s through these personal interactions that their curiosity and eagerness to learn is reinforced and becomes a lifelong quest.

Parents and Caregivers

The parent and caregiver know their child better than anyone. Let parents know the importance of this expertise by deferring to them and actively involving them in ELF activities.

Always Respond to Cries

Infants cannot be spoiled. They cry because they need attention. When the parent responds, the infant becomes more comfortable and knows that he has someone on which he can rely for care.

Teaching As Discipline

Discipline means, “to teach.” So rather than inflicting punishment, redirect the child’s attention and explain the reason why. Setting limits and being consistent is helpful to a child and the development of their self-control.

Next Tip

Concepts in Practice

Many California libraries have spent years dedicating resources and staff expertise to designing early learning services for families. It is through their work and the more recent efforts of the ELF initiative that promising practices have expanded.