Early Childhood Updates
June 24, 2026 (issue #20)
Free Summer Meals for all children 18 and under!
Norwalk Public Library Summer Reading Program starts soon!
Summer Reading: Sunday, 6/28 - Saturday, 8/22
Follow the trail and color in the footprints for the days you read. Read at least 4 days in a week to earn a prize. Pick up prizes at the Main Library (1 Belden Avenue) or the SoNo Branch Library (10 Washington Street). See the back for challenges you can do to earn badges. Up to age 12!
Log sheets: You can come to the library to pick up a log sheet or print one below!
Log sheets will be available to print soon.
For students entering grades 6-12. Log your reading and write reviews to earn raffle tickets. Read 1 book or 10, but remember, the more you read, the better your chances of winning! We're raffling three prizes - a bluetooth speaker, digital camera, and mini-fridge - and you can choose where your tickets go. The game is online, and there's an app, too! If you have any questions, please email Lisa at estory@norwalkpl.org. Registration will be available soon.
Challenges
Challenge 1: Find the dinosaur hidden in the library each week!
Challenge 2: Write a book review (at least 5 sentences) or draw a picture of your favorite part of a book and show us your work.
Challenge 3: Answer the question of the week. You must come to either library to get the question.
Free, virtual workshop for teachers and parents! First 100 Words: Building a Strong Foundation for Language Development-June 25
First 100 Words: Building a Strong Foundation for Language Development
Facilitated by Ally Soule, MA CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Stepping Stones Museum for Children-Open Arms Neighbors Membership
Car Seat Clinic-July 9!
CT Infant Mental Health Summer Series-sign up by June 29!
Register for this low-cost/high-quality program for early childhood educators! August 10-13.
Simultaneous Spanish translation is available.
July Early Literacy Calendar
A parent or caregiver is a child’s first teacher and a great way to help your child learn and grow is to sing, talk, read, write, play, count, and move with them!
Daily activities that are both enjoyable and educational are a great way to build early literacy skills. This calendar has:
§ Activities requiring no supplies or those that are commonly found at home
§ Lists of books to read with your child
§ Tips for grownups
§ Information on statewide services and organizations serving young children and families
“Play” is a child’s “work” so simply playing with your child using the daily activities is the goal!
Hank Goes Honk by Maudie Powell-Tuck
Hank Goes Honk by
Hank Goes Honk is a lively story about Hank, a young duck learning about the sounds around him and discovering his own unique “honk.” Through playful adventures, Hank experiments with noises, interacts with friends, and learns that making his own sound is fun and important. The book encourages children to explore, experiment, and express themselves confidently.
Talk, Sing and Point: Play a “sound matching” game: make a sound (quack, honk, clap, stomp) and have children take turns repeating it.
Maximize Love, Manage Stress: Sit in a circle with the children and give each child a warm, encouraging greeting and compliment, emphasizing that everyone is special and valued. Ask them each to give a compliment to the friend sitting next to them.
Here's how to contact us:
Carol Carrozelli, Early Start CT Director, Norwalk Public Schools
203-854-4114, carrozellic@norwalkps.org
Follow us on Instagram for all the latest happenings: norwalkecp_lgp
Mary Oster, Early Childhood Coordinator, City of Norwalk
203-854-4148, moster@norwalkct.gov