Articles written by Becky Iwen


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 9 of 9

  • New parent texting tool helps prepare kids for kindergarten

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Dec 7, 2016

    By BECKY IWEN Sweetwater County Library System Raising a young child can be one of the most trying and enjoyable jobs many parents and caregivers face today. The Sweetwater County Library would like to help you share a love of reading and books with a variety of early literacy tools. A new, free text service is available to parents in Sweetwater County and across Wyoming. Called Ready4K, parents can subscribe to the service to receive fun tips and facts on how to boost children’s learning and prepare them for kindergarten. The tips and facts wi...

  • Library hosts reading program

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Jun 1, 2016

    On your Mark, Get Set, Read! Summer is here and we are ready at the Sweetwater County Library to beat the summer slide. The Summer Reading Program is designed to keep kids reading throughout the summer and to help avoid the summer slide, which is the loss of academic knowledge over the summer break. Along with tracking their reading, the libraries also have educational and fun programs throughout the summer. Youth finishing fourth grade and younger are invited to sign-up for the Youth Summer Reading Program at all the Sweetwater County Library...

  • Celebrating Dr. Seuss

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Feb 10, 2016

    Each year, communities across America celebrate with the National Education Association’s signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Working with libraries, schools and community organizations this program focuses on motivating children and teens to read by hosting events that celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. But why celebrate on just one day when we could celebrate more? Encouraging a lifelong joy of reading is part of the library’s mission: The Sweetwater County Library System improve...

  • Small steps have a big impact on early literacy

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Nov 11, 2015

    According to the American Library Association, in the past 20 years, numerous studies have exposed a startling truth: by the time children from low-income families reach the age four, they will have heard 30 million fewer words than their more advantaged peers. This word gap has a profound influence on a child’s ability to succeed in school and later in life. The Sweetwater County Library is joining libraries and partner organizations across the country to help bridge this word gap with a new initiative: Babies Need Words Every Day: Talk, R...

  • Fall fills with fun youth activities at the library

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Aug 12, 2015

    With the end of summer reading fast approaching the library has been overrun with excited youth turning in their reading logs for books and prizes. Many of them have the $100 cash drawing is sight and are working hard to reach the 2,000 minutes needed to enter. The reading program will end on Aug. 15, so there is still time to turn in those reading logs! With the change of seasons on the horizon we have turned our attentions to the fall. This year we are offering Story Time and STEM Story Time for ages three to five, Toddler Time for newborns...

  • Library system host programs for all ages

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Jun 10, 2015

    We’re having fun this summer at the library. The Summer Reading Program is for every person in Sweetwater County. Everyone from newborns to adults can stop in, sign up, log their reading and win prizes. The library system’s Summer Reading Programs are made possible by the Sweetwater County Library Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a foundation of lifelong learning. This year the staff in Youth Services has been working hard on developing programs for children of every age. Tuesdays at 11 a.m. we’re in the library for St...

  • Discussing the power of play

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Mar 11, 2015

    Curiosity drives learning, and one of the most effective ways for children to explore new ideas and concepts is through play. At the library we believe in encouraging a lifelong joy of reading and learning for all, especially children. We strive to inspire children to explore the world around them. The need that children have to discover is an important step on the journey to higher-level learning. Because children learn through play and discovery we are excited to help by fostering an early learning environment here at the Sweetwater County...

  • Celebrate Dr. Seuss at your local libraries

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Feb 11, 2015

    Each year, communities across America celebrate with the National Education Association’s signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Working with libraries, schools and community organizations, this program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events that celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. This year, the staff at the Sweetwater County Library are proud to present a special Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Party. We will be filling the library with more Seuss than you might think...

  • How much time is too much screen time?

    Becky Iwen, Sweetwater County Library System|Jan 7, 2015

    While celebrating Christmas, I reflected on what it means to be a parent in this ever-changing world. Computers were a fairly new thing when I was a child and having a single family computer was exciting. Now many households have smartphones and tablets far more powerful than computers from even five years ago. The question of what type of screen time and how much, including TV, gaming systems, computers, iPads, and more can be a question that may weigh heavily on parents minds. The real question for myself is how do I teach my children that...