Library will offer Spanish-language literacy parties

An eight-week series of early literacy parties in Spanish will begin this week at the Vashon Library.

An eight-week series of early literacy parties in Spanish will begin this week at the Vashon Library.

At the free workshops, Spanish-speaking parents of children up to five years old will learn how to promote literacy in their young ones through games, lessons and crafts. There will also be time for snacks and socialization, and participants will receive Spanish children’s books.

Teresa Luengo-Cid, coordinator of the parties, said early reading skills often aren’t promoted in Hispanic cultures, and Spanish-speaking children are sometimes behind their peers when they enter kindergarten.

She said the workshops aren’t meant to promote English skills, but to give parents tools to teach their young children letters and expose them to words and books in English or Spanish.

“So when the kids reach school age they are really ready and have been exposed to learning opportunities by their parents, who are the first teachers of the kids,” said Luengo-Cid.

The parties will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Fridays through May 27. Children are welcome to participate, but parents may attend without them.