Although librarians typically focus on language and literacy when planning children’s programs, research suggests that math skills are valuable too. Today, proficiency in math is an essential professional skill. Many careers involve math, and math classes act as gateways to attaining degrees in STEM fields.1 In our personal lives, math is used daily to manage household finances and make informed decisions about our health.2 Finally, math skills at school entry are strong predictors of later academic achievement in both math and reading.3 Therefore, math development should be considered an important part of children’s school readiness skills.

Children’s librarians and other staff who work in children’s and school library services have much professional development experience to both offer and receive at conferences.

Reports or presentations about the importance of early literacy or the value of libraries are most valuable when they give a context. For instance, making a point about service to a low-income population is most effective when accompanied by a statistic regarding the number of children in your state who live in poverty or whose parents lack secure employment.

We have all heard the phrase “play is a child’s work” but how can we convince parents that play should be a meaningful part of their child’s routine?Play, with its inclusion as one of the critical early literacy practices advocated by the Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) initiative, may be the hardest sell of the five practices to parents, educators, and even administrators. It may be seen as optional or extra, something to be done after the child has spent time “learning” if there is time.

Here are some free resources for children’s librarians who like to browse through research on topics related to our work with children.