Early Literacy Trails

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

From March 15, 2021 through November 19, 2021, Chesterfield County Public Library developed 21 outdoor early literacy trails at libraries and county parks. Residents were invited to explore these outdoor experiences curated specifically for families and young children during the widespread disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Librarians worked across branches and county departments to create a variety of unique experiences, each grounded in one of the five Basics, or five ways to help children under five to thrive and grow. Trails encouraged parents to read picture book stories which unfolded sign by sign, to seek fairy houses while counting items they found, to spy a variety of natural phenomenon and discuss the environment around them, and even explore fire safety tips through a combined effort with the Chesterfield County Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.