- Heather M.
- Tuesday, October 17, 2023
First Steps to the Library highlights the skills young children need to be ready for school and helps caregivers understand how they can grow these skills.
![Three characters sleep on a purple background on the cover of the book My Nap = Mi Siesta. A cockroach in western wear--including a white cowboy hat and matching boots, sleeps in the crook of a light purple donkey's arm. The donkey has an ear of corn on his head and his tail is wrapped around a flowering Nopal cactus in a pot.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/My%20Nap%20Mi%20Siesta.jpg)
I'm Hungry! I'm Sleepy! I Need to Go Potty!
School Readiness Skill: Children develop an awareness of their needs and the ability to communicate their needs.
It's important for your child to recognize their needs and communicate them--whether it's being hungry or needing to use the potty. That process begins with you. Picking up on your child's nonverbal cues and responding to them is meaningful and makes your little one feel cared for and heard. You can also give them words:
- "You're yawning. It looks like you're ready for your nap."
- "You're pulling at your diaper. Do you need to go potty?"
- "I heard your tummy growl. You must be hungry. Let's get something to eat."
Helping your little one associate the physical feeling in their body with the words is a valuable step that will grow this skill. Best of all, you can start as soon as they're born.
Find more information about helping your child recognize and communicate their needs from our friends at Richland First Steps.
First Steps to the Library is a partnership between Richland Library and Richland First Steps.
![The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Dinner](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9780593384121/MC.jpg&oclc=1325725536&upc=&client=richlandlib)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Dinner
![I Want That!](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781665911993/MC.jpg&oclc=&upc=&client=richlandlib)
I Want That!
![Will Ladybug Hug?](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781338215601/MC.jpg&oclc=&upc=&client=richlandlib)
![I Feel!](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9780358621249/MC.jpg&oclc=1338025835&upc=&client=richlandlib)
I Feel!
![Potty = Bacinica](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9780763687779/MC.jpg&oclc=914581017&upc=&client=richlandlib)
![Babies Around the World Eating](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781728279473/MC.jpg&oclc=1377283698&upc=&client=richlandlib)
Babies Around the World Eating
![My Nap = Mi Siesta](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9780358394730/MC.jpg&oclc=1308983612&upc=&client=richlandlib)
My Nap = Mi Siesta
![¡Muy Verde! = Too Green!](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781646869947/MC.jpg&oclc=1382780936&upc=&client=richlandlib)
¡Muy Verde! = Too Green!
![Undies Please!](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781646863570/MC.jpg&oclc=1248688393&upc=&client=richlandlib)
Undies Please!
![Counting Ovejas](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=0689867506/MC.jpg&oclc=56387044&upc=&client=richlandlib)
Counting Ovejas
![Baby Food = Comiendo Con Bebé](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.php?isbn=9781782857389/MC.jpg&oclc=1060183270&upc=&client=richlandlib)