6 By 6: Ready to Read
6 by 6, Ready to Read is Johnson County Library’s early literacy initiative. Based on recommendations from the Association for Library Service to Children, Public Library Association and National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the Library has identified six skills we believe all children should experience by their 6th birthday — six skills by six years -- to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
6 by 6 Skills
Six by Six History
The History of 6 by 6: Ready to Read
The Importance of Early Literacy
What is Early Literacy?
From the moment they’re born, babies are hard at work learning about the world around them. Every sound they hear, every object they reach for, helps form connections in the brain. Think back to high school biology. Remember hearing the word “synapse?” It’s ok if it’s fuzzy; we’ve got resources if you want to learn. These synapses form the foundation for all future learning.
Our role at the Library is to help children, and the adults who care about them, build this essential framework. Did you know that early literacy skills are actually meant for pre-readers (even infants!) to build skills that will help them learn to read later on? Talking to babies, pointing out shapes and naming what they see helps them recognize form and patterns. Later, that makes it easier for them to distinguish letters and words. How cool is that?
Why the Library
As a learning institution, the Library has a unique role in brain development, which is why we created an early literacy program designed to be applicable and approachable for everyone: 6 by 6 Ready to Read. The program focused on six pre-reading skills to help kids get ready for formal education. We don’t actually teach reading. Instead, we provide tools so learning to read is easier when the time comes. The 6 by 6 skills were developed based on "Every Child Ready to Read" principles.
Storytimes
More than 41,000 adults and children attended a Library Storytime last year. That’s a lot of rhythm and rhyme! Our Storytimes are based on 6 by 6: Ready to Read, and designed to meet the needs of specific ages, from birth to six, but you and your child can attend whichever one fits their needs, likes and schedule. Each Storytime leader will demonstrate pre-reading skills with songs, rhymes, movement activities, and of course, high-quality children’s books to engage your child in the love of reading. We hope these learning lessons can continue in the car and at home, because parents and caregivers truly have the most influence on their child’s learning. Us librarians just help kickstart the process!