Early literacy refers to the pre-reading and pre-writing skills a child should know before starting kindergarten. Every Child Ready to Read has defined 5 early literacy practices to help parents and caregivers nurture early literacy anytime, anywhere.
The 5 practices are:
Talk, Read, Sing, Write, Play
· Talk about the activity or book you are sharing with your child.
· Sing or make up songs while doing chores, building blocks, etc.
· Read books, magazines, road signs, and more with your child.
· Write the letters of the alphabet, create a story, or draw shapes.
· Play with words, books, or toys to reinforce your child’s early literacy skills.
What is S.T.E.A.M. or S.T.E.M. learning?
The acronym refers to 5 educational disciplines that children should experience:
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Art (not a part of STEM learning)
• Mathematics
Why is it important?
Not only do children need early literacy skills to prepare them for future learning, they also need basic S.T.E.A.M. concepts to help them excel in school.
Basic S.T.E.A.M. concepts include, but are not limited to:
• Shapes
• Counting
• Using crayons, pencils, and markers
• Building with blocks
• Listening to music
• Talking about the weather
• Cooking
• And MUCH more
Visit Every Child Ready to Read, or click here for more early literacy resources.
25mar11:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.Read, Rhyme, & Romp
Event Details
Please note: There will be no session on March 11. Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from
Event Details
Please note: There will be no session on March 11.
Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 10:30-11:00AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and fingerplays! No registration is needed.
Story Time for ages 2-6 will immediately follow from 11:00-11:30AM. We offer a condensed version of both (Family Storytime)–great for busy families–on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:00PM for ages 0-6. (Stories and rhymes repeat Monday/Tuesday.)
Time
March 25, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
25mar11:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.Storytime
Event Details
Storytime for ages 2-6 will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs! No registration is
Event Details
Storytime for ages 2-6 will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs! No registration is needed. Please note: There will be no session on March 11.
Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers age 0-2 will take place immediately before, from 10:30-11:00AM. We offer a condensed version of both (Family Storytime)–great for busy families–on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:00PM for ages 0-6. (Stories and rhymes repeat Monday/Tuesday.)
Time
March 25, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
25mar4:00 p.m.5:00 p.m.Lego Club at JML
Event Details
Come build with us! Lego Club will take place at Johnson Memorial Library from 4:00-5:00PM on the last Tuesday of each month. No registration needed! Geared to ages 7-12.
Event Details
Come build with us! Lego Club will take place at Johnson Memorial Library from 4:00-5:00PM on the last Tuesday of each month. No registration needed! Geared to ages 7-12.
Time
March 25, 2025 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Organizer
27mar4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Family Storytime Tribe
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared to ages 0-6, but all are welcome. No registration is needed.
Our friends from the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities will join us Feb. 20, March 20, and April 17 for special, Inclusive Storytime sessions!
Time
March 27, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
31mar5:30 p.m.6:00 p.m.Family Storytime
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library every Monday from 5:30-6:00PM from January 27-March 31 for Family Storytime, a condensed version of Tuesday’s Read, Rhyme, and Romp & Storytime sessions, perfect
Event Details
Join us at Defiance Public Library every Monday from 5:30-6:00PM from January 27-March 31 for Family Storytime, a condensed version of Tuesday’s Read, Rhyme, and Romp & Storytime sessions, perfect for busy families! Enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays and more for ages 0-6 in a convenient half-hour session. (Stories/songs/rhymes will repeat Monday & Tuesday.) No registration is needed.
Children’s Department: 1/27, 2/24, 3/24
Reading Room: 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/31
Time
March 31, 2025 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
01apr11:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.Read, Rhyme, & Romp
Event Details
Please note: There will be no session on March 11. Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from
Event Details
Please note: There will be no session on March 11.
Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers (ages 0-2) will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 10:30-11:00AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and fingerplays! No registration is needed.
Story Time for ages 2-6 will immediately follow from 11:00-11:30AM. We offer a condensed version of both (Family Storytime)–great for busy families–on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:00PM for ages 0-6. (Stories and rhymes repeat Monday/Tuesday.)
Time
April 1, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
01apr11:00 a.m.11:30 a.m.Storytime
Event Details
Storytime for ages 2-6 will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs! No registration is
Event Details
Storytime for ages 2-6 will take place at Defiance Public Library every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30AM from January 28-April 1, 2025. Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs! No registration is needed. Please note: There will be no session on March 11.
Read, Rhyme, and Romp for babies and toddlers age 0-2 will take place immediately before, from 10:30-11:00AM. We offer a condensed version of both (Family Storytime)–great for busy families–on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:00PM for ages 0-6. (Stories and rhymes repeat Monday/Tuesday.)
Time
April 1, 2025 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
03apr4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Family Storytime Tribe
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared to ages 0-6, but all are welcome. No registration is needed.
Our friends from the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities will join us Feb. 20, March 20, and April 17 for special, Inclusive Storytime sessions!
Time
April 3, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
07apr5:00 p.m.Can You Hide a Caterpillar?
Event Details
Come visit Johnson Memorial Library on April 7 at 5:00PM to learn how caterpillars hide from predators using camouflage, then create your own to hide! Color your caterpillar to blend
Event Details
Come visit Johnson Memorial Library on April 7 at 5:00PM to learn how caterpillars hide from predators using camouflage, then create your own to hide! Color your caterpillar to blend in as you pick a spot to hide it in the library from a very hungry bird. Geared to school-aged children. No registration is needed.
Time
April 7, 2025 5:00 p.m.
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Organizer
07apr6:00 p.m.Toledo Opera on Wheels presents: Beauty and the Beast
Event Details
The Toledo Opera on Wheels will pay a special visit to Defiance Public Library on April 7 at 6PM to present ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Based on the original French fairytale
Event Details
The Toledo Opera on Wheels will pay a special visit to Defiance Public Library on April 7 at 6PM to present ‘Beauty and the Beast.’
Based on the original French fairytale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont and featuring music inspired by the operas of André Ernest Modeste Grétry, this adaptation of Beauty and the Beast promises to captivate audiences of all ages. The story underscores the timeless message that true beauty often lies within, challenging our perceptions and encouraging a deeper understanding of others. Join us for this wonderful cultural experience!
No registration is needed. Sponsored by the Friends of Defiance Public Library.
Time
April 7, 2025 6:00 p.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
10apr4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Family Storytime Tribe
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared to ages 0-6, but all are welcome. No registration is needed.
Our friends from the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities will join us Feb. 20, March 20, and April 17 for special, Inclusive Storytime sessions!
Time
April 10, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
15apr10:30 a.m.Storyshare with Defiance Co. Board of DD
Event Details
Children and families are invited to Defiance Public Library on April 15 at 10:30AM for a special Storyshare session with Alexa from the Defiance Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities. She’ll
Event Details
Children and families are invited to Defiance Public Library on April 15 at 10:30AM for a special Storyshare session with Alexa from the Defiance Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities.
She’ll share a story called “The Boy with Big, Big Feelings,” by Britney Winn Lee, about a little boy with big emotions. Attendees will receive their own copy of the book, while supplies last.
Following the story, Alexa will share some information about all the services the Board of DD has to offer, including early intervention and more. No registration is needed.
Time
April 15, 2025 10:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
15apr4:00 p.m.6:00 p.m.Lego Fun
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun from 4:00-6:00 PM on the following dates (3rd Tuesday of each month):November 19 December 17 January 21February 18March 18April 15May 20All
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun from 4:00-6:00 PM on the following dates (3rd Tuesday of each month):
November 19
December 17
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
All ages welcome. No registration needed.
Time
April 15, 2025 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
17apr10:30 a.m.Being Healthy is Fun! (ages 3-6)
Event Details
Space is limited for this 3-class series and registration is required. Register just once for all 3 sessions using the form on this page, or by calling 419-782-1456. (For party
Event Details
Space is limited for this 3-class series and registration is required. Register just once for all 3 sessions using the form on this page, or by calling 419-782-1456. (For party size, only include the number of children attending.) The deadline to register is 5PM on April 14.
What is MyPlate? How many food groups are there? We need how much time for active play?
Join us as we learn the basics of healthy eating, the importance of play, and learn about kitchen safety while we make a healthy snack! Annie Crowder Reynolds from Defiance County SNAP-Ed will be here to lead a 3-part series for our youngest patrons – and their grown-ups. We’ll make healthy eating so much fun even the pickiest eaters will want to join in – and grown-ups will learn how to encourage eating adventures.
Time
April 17, 2025 10:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Future Event Times in this Repeating Event Series
Organizer
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17apr4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Family Storytime Tribe
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared
Event Details
Join Sherwood Branch Library every Thursday at 4:30PM from Feb. 6 to April 24 for Family Storytime Tribe in the Community Room! We’ll enjoy reading, singing, dancing, and more! Geared to ages 0-6, but all are welcome. No registration is needed.
Our friends from the Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities will join us Feb. 20, March 20, and April 17 for special, Inclusive Storytime sessions!
Time
April 17, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
01may10:30 a.m.Being Healthy is Fun! (ages 3-6)
Event Details
Space is limited for this 3-class series and registration is required. Register just once for all 3 sessions using the form on this page, or by calling 419-782-1456. (For party
Event Details
Space is limited for this 3-class series and registration is required. Register just once for all 3 sessions using the form on this page, or by calling 419-782-1456. (For party size, only include the number of children attending.) The deadline to register is 5PM on April 14.
What is MyPlate? How many food groups are there? We need how much time for active play?
Join us as we learn the basics of healthy eating, the importance of play, and learn about kitchen safety while we make a healthy snack! Annie Crowder Reynolds from Defiance County SNAP-Ed will be here to lead a 3-part series for our youngest patrons – and their grown-ups. We’ll make healthy eating so much fun even the pickiest eaters will want to join in – and grown-ups will learn how to encourage eating adventures.
Time
May 1, 2025 10:30 a.m.
Location
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Organizer
RSVP to This Event
Make sure to RSVP to this amazing event!
Please let us know if you can make it to the event.
RSVP Now
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15 Spots remaining
Can not make it to this event?Change my RSVP
05may4:30 p.m.5:30 p.m.Storywalk Storytime
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library for Storywalk Storytime on May 5 from 4:30-5:30PM at Bronson Park, Defiance. During this interactive event, we’ll walk along the Storywalk and read a book together.
Event Details
Join Defiance Public Library for Storywalk Storytime on May 5 from 4:30-5:30PM at Bronson Park, Defiance. During this interactive event, we’ll walk along the Storywalk and read a book together. Activities and crafts will be available afterwards in the park pavilion, while supplies last.
Be sure to bring sunscreen, umbrellas, or hats if desired, as the Storywalk is in direct sunlight!
This program is geared to ages 2-6. No registration is needed.
**Rain date will be May 12 from 4:30-5:30PM**
Time
May 5, 2025 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location
Bronson Park
2104 Power Dam Road
Organizer
10may10:30 a.m.Perler Bead with Me
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required! Register beginning April 11 on this page, or by calling 419-542-6200. The deadline to register is 5PM on May 1. (For party size,
Event Details
Space is limited and registration is required! Register beginning April 11 on this page, or by calling 419-542-6200. The deadline to register is 5PM on May 1. (For party size, include both adults and children attending, as you’ll be doing the craft together!)
In celebration of Mother’s Day, bring your mom (or another relative) to Johnson Memorial Library on May 10 at 10:30AM to plant a succulent and create a perler bead frog that will hang onto your planter.
Time
May 10, 2025 10:30 a.m.
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio
Organizer
20may4:00 p.m.6:00 p.m.Lego Fun
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun from 4:00-6:00 PM on the following dates (3rd Tuesday of each month):November 19 December 17 January 21February 18March 18April 15May 20All
Event Details
Join us at Sherwood Branch Library for Lego Fun from 4:00-6:00 PM on the following dates (3rd Tuesday of each month):
November 19
December 17
January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
All ages welcome. No registration needed.
Time
May 20, 2025 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
24may10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.PlayDough Party
Event Details
Come and create your masterpieces with PlayDough! PlayDough Party is taking place on the fourth Saturday of each month (Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28, Jan. 25, Feb. 22, March
Event Details
Come and create your masterpieces with PlayDough! PlayDough Party is taking place on the fourth Saturday of each month (Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 28, Jan. 25, Feb. 22, March 22, April 26, May 24) from 10AM-noon at Sherwood Branch Library. Open to all ages that love to squish and sculpt with dough! No registration needed.
Time
May 24, 2025 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location
Sherwood Branch Library
117 N. Harrison Street
Organizer
27may4:00 p.m.5:00 p.m.Lego Club at JML
Event Details
Come build with us! Lego Club will take place at Johnson Memorial Library from 4:00-5:00PM on the last Tuesday of each month. No registration needed! Geared to ages 7-12.
Event Details
Come build with us! Lego Club will take place at Johnson Memorial Library from 4:00-5:00PM on the last Tuesday of each month. No registration needed! Geared to ages 7-12.
Time
May 27, 2025 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location
Johnson Memorial Library
116 W. High St., Hicksville, Ohio