There is substantial research showing how important literacy and exposure to language is during the first three years of a child’s life. This doesn’t mean two year olds should be expected to be reading Proust; instead, it means children should be read and spoken to often using an expansive vocabulary.
Each time a toddler hears a new word, they develop a new neural pathway and each time that word is repeated, it strengthens that pathway. There is a direct correlation to how many words a toddler is exposed to from zero to three years of age and how children perform academically later in life.
Nothing supports these measures more than community literacy programs. Before the age of three, children need direct interaction with people in order to develop these language skills, not screens, and there are a plethora of in-person literacy activities offered throughout Carson City for little story lovers.
Looking for the first installment in our mini-series this week? Check it out here:
Carson City Library
Storytimes
The Carson City Library offers several story times which are free to the public and require no registration to join! All of the library’s events are also on their calendar.
Storytime themes change each week, and are announced on the Carson City Library facebook page.
Themes have included dinosaurs, music, vikings, cowboys, the arctic, pets and more.
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., head down to the library for Baby Bookworms Storytime. This story time is meant for the smallest of future readers, for ages 0-24, but older siblings are welcome!
On Wednesday, Bedtime Bears Storytime is meant to help your child get their wiggles out before bed! Pajamas and stuffs are encouraged, and participants will be read stories, sing songs and engage in crafts to tire them out before bedtime. Join in every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
On Thursdays, head down from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. for Big Kid Butterflies Storytime, which is intended for children ages 1-5.
Participants can expect weekly stories with songs and crafts.
Teaching Time with Tofi
Every first and third Thursday of the month, Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Tofi stops by the Kennedy Children’s Corner to spend time with the littlest library patrons.
You can read Tofi books, teach her how to shop for groceries, sort blocks, ask her questions about what it’s like to be a dog, and so much more.
The program began in January 2024, and has become a hit with library patrons and I’m sure, Tofi herself.
Tofi has become a familiar figure to the children of Carson City, offering comfort wherever she goes.
At two years of age, the chocolate lab was purchased by the sheriff’s office from a kennel in Hungary in 2021. She originally was meant to become a drug-sniffing dog for the school district, but was quickly revealed to be far too mellow and far too interested in befriending the children.
After failing at her drug-sniffing job, she was then transferred to an even more important position: she became the first ever therapy dog for Juvenile Services.
Since entering into her new profession, Tofi has transformed the juvenile detention center, offering comfort to children and teens who are often fearful or angry when they arrive to detention.
Tofi has also accompanied the children on the detention center’s 10-week wilderness program, met with children at the Boys and Girls Club, stopped by nonprofits around town and more!
There is no registration required and kids of all ages are welcome. She will be available at the library from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. so stop by and have a chat and give her a good girl pat.
Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada offers a storytime recommended for toddlers ages one to six.
Each week has a new theme, which includes a story and an associated craft. Each week brings something new, including the medium: storytime can include everything from puppets, to music, art and more.
According to the Children’s Museum, at story time, we will explore a variety of themes and subjects through rich children’s literature, music, finger-plays, puppets, and art. It is my hope that not only will the children make new friends each week at story time, but that parents, grandparents, and nannies will receive encouragement, tips, and new friends, too.
The Children’s Museum is locate at 813 N. Carson Street.
While there, be sure to stop by the toddler and infant play area with a safe soft jungle gym, and on Tuesdays and Fridays, the museum also hosts toddler time! More on that here.
Nevada State Railroad Museum
Recently, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City began offering a new program to the community: Museum Storytime!
Every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., head down to the Nevada State Railroad Museum at 2180 South Carson Street for their weekly storytime.
Admission for adults to the museum is $10, or free for museum members. Admission for children ages 17 and under is always free.
We will update with additional information on the storytime including what it includes when we hear back from the coordinators.
Other resources:
Looking to increase literacy for your little one at home? Now you can, for free! Did you know that for the past 30 years, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been sending free books once a month to children from birth to age five? Nearly 3.2 million children have been registered since the program began, with over 270 million books gifted! Learn more here.
Looking for Arts and Music programming? See our first series installment here:
Stay tuned tomorrow for the next installments in our Carson City Early Education and Toddler activity series, where we’ll look at sports, outdoor programming and more!
Looking for more? Check out the current Carson City Activity Guide for all winter activities in the capital city:
