Pioneer Library System

Contents

What
Who
Why
Where
When
How

What?

GLAR or Growing Like a Read is a project of the Pioneer Library System that promotes brain development for literacy skills in children from birth through age 4 through reading, talking, playing and singing.  It is funded through a grant from the Inasmuch Foundation.

Who?

GLAR is intended for parents and caregivers and their children in Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties.  Day care providers receive special materials to work with groups.  Children’s librarians at each Home Town Library will model GLAR rhymes and activities in story times, toddler times, Rhythm Babies, Rhythm Toddlers, and Melody Hounds programs.  Local community partners provide funding for materials and awards.

Why?

Research shows that it’s the one-on-one interaction between parent and child that is critical for early learning.  Early reading has lifelong consequences.  Research shows that children who enter kindergarten unprepared cannot catch up.

Where?

GLAR activities are suggested for any place parents and their children can be together:  at home, on the go, at the library, in the store, at bedtime.

When?

Often!  Because repetition is the key.  The more often a beloved role model speaks, reads, or sings to a child, the stronger the neural pathways in the child’s brain become, the more words a child learns, the more sounds and rhythms of speech s/he can interpret, the more stories s/he understands and can tell, the more connections between words and print s/he can make, and the more s/he will be soothed and enchanted by books.

How?

Visit a Home Town Library and tell the Children’s Librarian you want to participate in Growing Like a Read.  S/he will ask you to complete a brief survey, then provide to each family:  a tote bag to carry library books, a stand-up book of rhymes, songs and finger plays, an activity log matched to the child’s age, a bookmark listing suitable books to read together, a copy of the PLS WORD Magazine explaining the program and the research behind it, and a piggy bank supplied by Tinker Federal Credit Union.  The piggy bank symbolizes the investment you are making in your children’s future.

You may enroll all your children under age 4.  You will receive additional activity logs matched to their ages.  After you complete a set of six activities, return to the library to receive a book (one per family) and to put your child’s name in for a drawing for a savings bond. 

The savings bonds are provided by local banks in each community, including Legacy Bank, Blanchard, BancFirst, McLoud, Exchange Bank, Moore, Sooner State Bank and Verdan Bank, Newcastle, McClain Bank, Noble, Arvest Bank, Norman, McClain Bank and 1st American Bank, Purcell, BancFirst, Tecumseh.

Each time you complete a set of six activities, you may put your child’s name in the drawing.  You will also receive a CD (one per family) of more rhymes and songs.

Day care providers receive a set of posters that correspond to the individual stand-up book.  Contact your Home Town Library for a set for your center. 

Special pre-literacy training is provided to day care providers by Pioneer Library System in cooperation with your county Health Department, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Success by Six, or other training partners.  Contact the PLS Center for Children’s Services at 405-701-1835 for more information, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Start today…and watch your children grow!