STARS Training
The Spokane County Library District offers free STARS classes for childcare providers, teachers, and parents. All our classes are certified through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Even if you don’t need STARS credit, you can come to the monthly classes that interest you for new ideas to engage the kids in your life.
Registration is required. Registration opens 4 weeks before the scheduled class.
Upcoming STARS Classes
Best Picture Books of 2024
Registration is required. Sign up starting Dec 28 on the library’s event calendar.
Every year many new books are published, and it can be hard to find the best of the bunch. We share our favorite new books from 2024 for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our favorites are not only fun but also help to develop early literacy, language, and STEM skills. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the selected books and discuss with other participants how they would use the books in their classrooms. 2 STARS credits
MORAN PRAIRIE LIBRARY
Saturday, Jan 25, 10am–12pm
Previous STARS Classes
Art & Early Literacy
Explore the benefits of creating art with children. We share how to help develop visual intelligence, the educational reasons for including art in your daily activities, and the difference between crafts and process art. You get to dive into some hands-on art activities that you can do with the children in your care. This workshop is geared towards working with preschoolers. 2 STARS credits
Babies, Books & Bounces
Brain development, social development, and early literacy grow most rapidly in baby’s first 5 years. We’ll explore nursery rhymes, stories, and songs designed to introduce baby to the rhythm and beauty of language, along with activities to build baby’s physical and cognitive skills. This program is designed specifically for individuals working with infants and young toddlers (ages 0–18 months). 2 STARS credits
Best Picture Books of the Year
Every year many new books are published, and it can be hard to find the best of the bunch. We share our favorite new books and accompanying activities for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our favorites are not only fun but also help to develop early literacy, language, and STEM skills. After you register, we will send an assignment to you via email to be completed before the training session. 2.5 STARS credits
Block Play
Come learn about our block program called Family Construction Zone. Learn how blocks are a great tool for teaching math and engineering skills. You’ll also get a chance to play with the blocks too. 2 STARS credits
Engaging Families with Literacy Activities
Learn how to design a family engagement program based around literacy activities that are sure to encourage all your families to attend. 2 STARS credits
Engineering & Early Learning for Preschoolers
Kids are natural engineers. Blocks and building toys can help children, from a young age, develop fine motor skills, cognitive, math, and literacy skills. These skills are all important for kindergarten readiness. We’ll learn more about the connection between blocks and early learning and share a variety of engineering activities you can use with the preschoolers in your life. 2 STARS credits
Every Child Ready to Read
Early literacy begins with the primary adults in a child’s life. Learn about the five practices to do with children so that they are ready to read when they start kindergarten and how to share these practices with families. 2 STARS credits
Felt Stories
Bring stories to life with felt pieces. We share how felt stories develop early literacy and early math skills. Learn how to make easy felt stories and leave with two felt stories ready to use. The last hour of this training is a chance to use our die-cut machines to make additional felt pieces for your classrooms. We supply the felt and patterns. Please bring your own fabric scissors. 4 STARS credits
Felt Stories & Early Literacy
Bring stories to life with felt pieces. We share how felt stories develop early literacy and early math skills. You’ll learn how to make easy felt stories and leave with one felt story ready to use. We supply felt and patterns. 3 STARS credits
Flannel Stories
Bring stories to life with flannel pieces. You’ll learn how to make easy flannels and leave with two flannel stories ready for use. During this training, you will have a chance to use our die-cut machines to make additional flannel pieces for classrooms and activities. We will supply the felt and patterns. Please bring your own scissors. 4 STARS credits
Get Up & Go: Movement Activities
Movement stimulates brain development in young children. Learn how to incorporate movement into your daily indoor and outdoor routines throughout the year to promote learning and early literacy skills in young children. We’ll be going outside, so dress for the weather. 2 STARS credits
I See Me Multicultural Stories
Young children love seeing themselves in books. We look at stories that encompass different cultures and find the best books to share with children. 2 STARS credits
Just the Facts: Nonfiction Books for Preschoolers
An important part of children’s reading comprehension is knowing about their world. We discuss which nonfiction books are best for preschoolers. Learn how to pair favorite picture books with informational books, and get ideas for hands-on activities to build background knowledge. 2 STARS credits
Leap into Science: Light & Shadow
Learn about the science of light and shadow. Participants will receive the curriculum and training to hold three different STEM programs: for ages 3–5, for ages 6–10, and for families with children of all ages. Leap into Science is a nationwide program that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages 3–10 and their families. 4 STARS credits
Math: More Than Counting
Early math for toddlers and preschoolers is more than just counting. We explore how young children learn about math using the Learning Pathways in Numeracy. With an in-depth look at the Learning Pathways, we discuss ways to incorporate hands-on activities for early math learning. We also investigate how to use picture books to teach math concepts in developmentally appropriate ways. 3 STARS credits
Math: More Than Counting 2
This companion training to Math: More than Counting, in which we focused on the Learning Pathways in Numeracy, also works as a stand-alone, hands-on training, featuring math activities for toddlers and preschoolers. You’ll have the chance to play with the activities and discuss how they will work for the children in your care. Come prepared to participate and delve into fun, engaging math activities that you can recreate in your learning spaces. 2 STARS credits
More than Counting: Math & Early Literacy
Early math for toddlers and preschoolers is more than just counting. We explore how young children learn about math using the Learning Pathways to Numeracy and how to use picture books to teach math concepts in developmentally appropriate ways. 2 STARS credits
Movement Activities for Winter
Movement stimulates brain development in young children. Learn how to incorporate movement into your daily routine to promote children’s learning and early literacy skills. We’ll explore both indoor and outdoor activities to do during the winter months. 2 STARS credits
Music & Early Learning
Music and reading play well together! Learn how music and singing help young children develop early literacy skills, such as phonological awareness and vocabulary. We will talk about the connections between music and math, explore musical books, and share songs that get kids singing, moving, and learning! 2 STARS credits
Nature Play & Early Learning
Being outdoors and discovering the world is fascinating for young children. Spending time in nature also encourages physical health and development and fosters STEM skills. Learn how using books about nature can build early literacy skills and get children interested in nature and reading. 2 STARS credits
New Picture Books
Every year many new books are published and it can be hard to find the best of the bunch. We share our favorite new books to use with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our favorites are not only fun but also help develop early literacy, language, and STEM skills. 2 STARS credits
Ready for School with STEM
We cover why STEM is important for preschoolers, what preschoolers need to be ready for kindergarten, and how to get comfortable doing STEM activities with the children in your care. Try out some STEM activities, learn how to put together a STEM lesson, explore the STEM kits available for check out at the library, and discover how to provide STEM family engagement programs for your childcare. 4 STARS credits
Science & Literacy
Early literacy and early science skills go hand in hand. Find out how to use stories, songs, books, and activities to build both skill sets at once. We will talk about the five practices of early literacy and how they work well with introducing science concepts to children ages 2–5 years old. 2 STARS credits
Sensory Play: Messy Learning & Fun
Social emotional skills are an important part of being ready to start kindergarten. Learn how you can use books to teach kids skills such as sharing, impulse control, and taking turns. You’ll also come away with ideas and resources for helping kids de-stress and control their emotions. 2 STARS credits
Sing Into Reading
Learn how singing and reading go together. We’ll be learning how to incorporate singing into your daily routine and for family engagement activities. 2 STARS credits
Social emotional skills are an important part of being ready to start kindergarten. Learn how you can use books to teach kids skills such as sharing, impulse control, and taking turns. You’ll also come away with ideas and resources for helping kids de-stress and control their emotions. 2 STARS credits
Storytelling Fun with Preschoolers
Storytelling has been a tradition in many cultures and is fun to share with children. Learn how to incorporate storytelling into your daily routine and emphasize early literacy skills. 2 STARS credits
Storytime Boot Camp
Learn how to put a storytime together for toddlers and preschoolers that includes not only books but fingerplays, songs, and movement activities. Plus learn how to share the five practices of early literacy from the Public Library Association’s program “Every Child Ready to Read” with the parents of the children in your care. 2 STARS credits
Toddler Math & Literacy
Toddlers learn through play, including early math and literacy skills. We’ll explore the ways toddlers learn math through play, including counting, number sense, patterns, and spatial relationships. And we’ll look at how these early experiences build a strong foundation for learning. This program is designed specifically for individuals working with toddlers (ages 18–36 months). 2 STARS credits
