Early Literacy Activities Calendar for October

Thanks to the wonderful folks in the Youth Services Department of the West Chicago Public Library for sharing their Early Literacy Activities Calendar with us each month. Here's a bunch of easy, creative ideas for how during the month of October you can encourage an early love of reading in your child. If you'd like a printable version of this calendar to hang up at home, just head to our Flickr album.

Photo by catd_mitchell on Flickr.Oct. 1: After reading a book together, talk about what the characters did in the story.

Oct. 2: Take a walk and point out letters on signs and in the neighborhood.

Oct. 3: Have a TV Turnoff Day .. read and play games together instead.

Oct. 4: Sing "Old MacDonald" together and make the sounds of the animals.

Oct. 5: Look through magazines together and name the things you see.

Oct. 6: At bath time, provide cups and bowls for measuring and pouring.

Oct. 7: Read a favorite book today.

Oct. 8: Ask your child to point out where the title of the book is shown.

Oct. 9: Identify items in your kitchen and talk about how you use them.

Oct. 10: Put on some music and sing and dance together.

Oct. 11: Make up a story about one of your child's toys.

Oct. 12: How many circles can you spot today? 

Oct. 13: Tell your child about your day.

Oct. 14: How many orange things can you spot today?

Oct. 15: Read a rhyming book together. Make up more rhyming words.

Oct. 16: Clap out syllables of silly words.

Oct. 17: Look for shapes in your house or backyard.

Oct. 18: Create "instructions" for brushing your teeth.

Oct. 19: Attend "Patty Cake Place" at the West Chicago Public Library today, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Oct. 20: Bake some cookies today and let your child frost them.

Oct. 21: Using blocks or cell phones, pretend to have a conversation together.

Oct. 22: Attend a library storytime today.

Oct. 23: Draw a picture of your family together.

Oct. 24: As you read a story together, run your finger over the print.

Oct. 25: Read a Halloween story together. 

Oct. 26: Encourage your child to "read"his or her favorite book to you.

Oct. 27: Take a nature walk together, talking about what you see. 

Oct. 28: Play dress up together, talking about who/what you are.

Oct. 29: Draw some pumpkins for your child to color.

Oct. 30: Sing a scary song together.

Oct. 31: Happy Halloween!