What Is ELF?

The California State Library (CSL) launched the Early Learning with Families (ELF) initiative in the summer of 2006. Its purpose is to help further strengthen public libraries in their important role as community centers helping families, caregivers and childcare providers acquire the resources and skills necessary to support the healthy development of very young children. This LSTA (Library Science and Technology Act) supported initiative is intended to support public libraries efforts as they:

Serve families with young children from birth through five years of age,
Build on the most promising early learning research and practices,
Offer services developmentally appropriate and that foster early learning,
Support parents and caregivers in their parental role and as their children's first teacher,
Partner with local agencies to address family interests and needs, and
Strengthen the position of libraries as valuable community resources for families, caregivers, childcare providers and their young children.

ELF Services

ELF libraries have designed exciting and engaging family programs, as well as created interesting places for families to share time and learn together. ELF services reflect current early learning research, offering families opportunities to stimulate their infants and toddlers with rhyme, song and rich language, interspersed with movement and activity. The programs provide a chance for parents and caregivers to share focused, fun time with their little ones in Parent Child Workshops, play and learn activities and interactive storytimes.

Additionally, libraries have created physical spaces where caregivers and their children can play and pretend as they interact with the library's puppets, dolls, building blocks and toys and books. And there are quiet corners for cuddling and reading books together. ELF libraries are thoughtful of families needs. There's a spot for strollers as well as the necessary diaper-changing tables in restrooms. Books and playthings are stored in tubs and on low shelves for easy access by toddlers and young children. It is not surprising to find a child manipulating a "hob nob" or studying his reflection in a mirror positioned at his level at the library's service desk.

The family area not only contains children's resources, but also has books and resources for parents and caregivers. These are often conveniently located for ease of access and immediate reference. Copies of songs, rhymes, games and finger plays that support child development and literacy, are distributed to parents and encouraged as activities at home. Community resource pamphlets and information are displayed, as is information about the ELF community partners with whom the library is collaborating.

Spearheading these local partnerships are promising statewide collaborations that have developed and enriched local services. These include the California Department of Education's Child Development Division, the First 5 California Children and Families Commission, California Public Television, California Child Care Resources and Referral Network, California Association for the Education of Young Children as well as the western office of Zero to Three.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.