Topic outline

  • Welcome and Introduction

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    Cover of the Youth Services Basics workbook.

    Welcome to the Youth Services Early Childhood Course. 

    This course is designed to build upon the Youth Services Overview course, and give more information on how to specifically support young children and their families. This course will help you understand why library service to young children is important, how to collect appropriate materials, the types of services and programs you can provide to your patrons, and the importance of outreach services. Please see the accompanying workbook for more information as it is referenced in this course. Workbook completion is not required, but is recommended.

    This Youth Services: Early Childhood course is part of a larger Youth Services Curriculum. You can also take courses focused on the following age groups: 

    • School-Age Children
    • Tweens and Teens 

    Once these courses are available, you will be able to self-enroll and progress at your own pace.


    • resource icon
      Youth Services Basics Workbook File

      Youth Services Basics Workbook coverPlease download this PDF workbook that is designed to accompany the course. This workbook contains additional questions, resources, and information that can help you further your understanding of the topics covered in the all of the Youth Services courses. Completion of the workbook is optional, but recommended.

      This workbook is meant to serve as a learning supplement to the material in this course, and will further your understanding and knowledge of youth services concepts. We recommend that you use this workbook as you work through each section of this course. This workbook is a fillable PDF, which means that you can download and save a copy to your computer, and fill in the blanks using a keyboard, or you may choose to print it out and write your notes. No matter how you use it, it is designed for you to refer back to as needed.


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      Course Information and Navigation Page
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      Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive 1 hour of CE credit in Library Services to the Public.

      Course created on August 1, 2023.


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      Course Acknowledgements Page
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      Thank you to all the people who helped work on this course! 

  • Developmental Information

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      Developmental Milestones and Changes Book
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      Please read this book to learn about the major developmental milestones and changes in early childhood development. This book will cover the following topics:

      • Overview
      • Learning Begins at Birth
      • Brain Development
      • Every Child Ready 2 Read Early Literacy Framework
      • Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play

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      Developmental Milestones and Changes Reflection Quiz
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      You will need to complete two short reflection questions before progressing onto the next section.

      Each response must include a minimum of 20 words.

  • Collection Development

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      Collection Development Book
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      This provides a brief overview of the types of materials you can recommend to your young patrons and their families. There is additional information in the Workbook, as well as in the Collection Development section in the Youth Services Overview course.

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      Collection Development Reflection Quiz
      View Make attempts: 1
      You will need to complete two short reflection questions before progressing onto the next section.

      Each response must include a minimum of 20 words.

  • Early Childhood Spaces

  • Programming for Early Childhood

  • Community Engagement

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      Community Engagement Book
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      Please read this book to learn more about community engagement with early childhood services. This section will cover:

      • Overview of Early Childhood Community Engagement
      • Serving Parents and Childcare Providers
      • Partnerships
      • Outreach

    • quiz icon
      Community Engagement Reflection Quiz
      View Make attempts: 1
      You will need to complete two short reflection questions before progressing onto the next section.

      Each response must include a minimum of 20 words.

  • Ready 2 Read: Montana State Library's Early Literacy Initiative

  • Conclusion

    • Thank you for completing the Youth Services Early Childhood Course, an introduction to library services for public library staff working with young children aged 0 - 5.  You are welcome to refer back to these materials whenever you would like, and we encourage you to review the Youth Services Basics Workbook for further reflection and brainstorming. 


  • Course Wrap-Up