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midaycare 04:32 AM 09-03-2015
I have a pretty big kids library. Last count was over 1200. I have about 500 books available to the kids at all times, and the rest are out of reach. Out of the 500, dck's usually pull out about 50 a day.

I let them have free reign over the books. I work with a reading specialist and she says this is the best way to promote early literacy. It's worked well until now.

Lately I've noticed that books are getting destroyed. I'm not sure who it is, or if it is several dck's. I removed our "book boxes" so I have more control over the books, but I don't really like this. It hasn't helped the problem though. I'm losing about two per week.

It's not a matter of using board books - those get destroyed too, believe it or not.

I don't want to reduce library privileges any further, but I'm not sure what to do. What would you guys do?
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daycarediva 04:47 AM 09-03-2015
Ouch. Can you have a sit down about the books? How old are your kids. I have a book/toy hospital. When a book or toy is broken or damaged, it goes in there. The child who puts it in there must tell me, and we talk about it. It's non punitive if they fess up, put the book in the hospital. At the end of the day I go through the bin if there's anything in there, tape or repair anything I can.
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midaycare 05:09 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
Ouch. Can you have a sit down about the books? How old are your kids. I have a book/toy hospital. When a book or toy is broken or damaged, it goes in there. The child who puts it in there must tell me, and we talk about it. It's non punitive if they fess up, put the book in the hospital. At the end of the day I go through the bin if there's anything in there, tape or repair anything I can.
They are 3 are under. It's hard for the 2's to get it. Some of them, anyway.
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childcaremom 05:22 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by midaycare:
They are 3 are under. It's hard for the 2's to get it. Some of them, anyway.
Maybe cut way down on the books that they have access to. Model (a lot) how to handle the books and put them away and gradually increase the number out. Catch the gentle hands, etc.

I let mine have free access to a select few that I've purchased at garage sales, etc (so not new at all) and then if they do get ruined, it isn't as big a deal. The nicer ones stay up until they are older. (disclaimer: my group is young 1s and a 3yo who has not had much access to books).

I like the idea of a book hospital, too.
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Blackcat31 05:25 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by midaycare:
I have a pretty big kids library. Last count was over 1200. I have about 500 books available to the kids at all times, and the rest are out of reach. Out of the 500, dck's usually pull out about 50 a day.

I let them have free reign over the books. I work with a reading specialist and she says this is the best way to promote early literacy. It's worked well until now.

Lately I've noticed that books are getting destroyed. I'm not sure who it is, or if it is several dck's. I removed our "book boxes" so I have more control over the books, but I don't really like this. It hasn't helped the problem though. I'm losing about two per week.

It's not a matter of using board books - those get destroyed too, believe it or not.

I don't want to reduce library privileges any further, but I'm not sure what to do. What would you guys do?
Honestly, part of it is just part of the job.

I feel like I am fixing or tossing out at least 2-3 books weekly sometimes.

I too, have a ginormous library and have parents donating books regularly but there are times in which I feel I can't keep up with the losses.....

What I have been doing is not allowing them 100% free reign. I allow them to look at books whenever they want but they aren't allowed to take out more than one at a time and they are required to sit when looking.

My kids will "police" each other so whenever someone breaks a rule (tears a book or has more than one at a time) the others will start squawking like pigeons in the McDonalds parking lot.

I also know the kids well enough to know who did what. Some kids are really genuinely into reading/looking at the books while others just want to chew on them or tear them up. It doesn't take long to figure out who those ones are and then I just stay on them pretty closely until they've learned not to treat the books in ways that damage them.

I've also put damaged and torn books in a crate and only allowed the kids access to those books for the day as a lesson in "this is what everyone will get if we don't treat our books nicely". That seems to really drive the point home and they really appreciate the good ones' once they've earned their rights back to them.
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Heidi 05:36 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by midaycare:
I have a pretty big kids library. Last count was over 1200. I have about 500 books available to the kids at all times, and the rest are out of reach. Out of the 500, dck's usually pull out about 50 a day.

I let them have free reign over the books. I work with a reading specialist and she says this is the best way to promote early literacy. It's worked well until now.

Lately I've noticed that books are getting destroyed. I'm not sure who it is, or if it is several dck's. I removed our "book boxes" so I have more control over the books, but I don't really like this. It hasn't helped the problem though. I'm losing about two per week.

It's not a matter of using board books - those get destroyed too, believe it or not.

I don't want to reduce library privileges any further, but I'm not sure what to do. What would you guys do?
I'd say that since the reading specialist isn't buying all those books, you have to do what's best for your business. Kids destroying $20-50 worth of books a week is not her problem.

I also have a lot of books. I have a rack that has maybe 15 at a time (and that's been recent..before that it was 5-8). I have another basket of about 5-6 books in my second room by a bench and small chair. I rotate every week or two, or when I notice people getting bored. My oldest here is 2 1/2, so they like repetition at this age.

If I see a book on the floor, I point at it and say "Alert! Alert! book on the floor!"

Cracks me up when I hear the kids do it, too.

Honestly, access to books is great for them. But, I don't think they need 50 at the same time.
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Play Care 05:46 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Honestly, part of it is just part of the job.

I feel like I am fixing or tossing out at least 2-3 books weekly sometimes.

I too, have a ginormous library and have parents donating books regularly but there are times in which I feel I can't keep up with the losses.....

What I have been doing is not allowing them 100% free reign. I allow them to look at books whenever they want but they aren't allowed to take out more than one at a time and they are required to sit when looking.

My kids will "police" each other so whenever someone breaks a rule (tears a book or has more than one at a time) the others will start squawking like pigeons in the McDonalds parking lot.

I also know the kids well enough to know who did what. Some kids are really genuinely into reading/looking at the books while others just want to chew on them or tear them up. It doesn't take long to figure out who those ones are and then I just stay on them pretty closely until they've learned not to treat the books in ways that damage them.

I've also put damaged and torn books in a crate and only allowed the kids access to those books for the day as a lesson in "this is what everyone will get if we don't treat our books nicely". That seems to really drive the point home and they really appreciate the good ones' once they've earned their rights back to them.
This.
I only allow a small amount of board books out. I only allow regular books out when I can directly supervise. I realize this isn't current "best praaaaaaaactice" (sorry, I despise that phrase ) but with a diverse, mixed age group, this has worked the best.
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BabyMonkeys 06:29 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
My kids will "police" each other so whenever someone breaks a rule (tears a book or has more than one at a time) the others will start squawking like pigeons in the McDonalds parking lot.
I literally laughed at loud at that one. Mine are all under 2, so all of my books are board books. They LOVE their books though
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Leigh 06:44 AM 09-03-2015
I put 3M Book Tape on all of my books (as soon as they come in the house-before they are broken). It has REALLY cut down on the destruction!

Here's a link to what I use: http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/scotc...eNYaAgw98P8HAQ
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midaycare 07:17 AM 09-03-2015
All good insight. Haha to the best practice comment . And BC, lol at the pigeons comment. That is an awesome visual and very true for how dck's can sound sometimes!

I will need to think on this for a day or two.
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Annalee 07:28 AM 09-03-2015
A long time ago, I had a teacher parent that told me she tells her students that books are "treasures". Since then I have used that wording with my daycare kids. Also, I have 2 book holders that each hold about 12 books each in my reading area. I change out my themes monthly and only have books out pertaining to the 3 or 4 themes I use. I also place 2-4 books in each center on the shelf pertaining to that area. I do not let the kids get into my large selection. The kids are contained to books that are what ms.xxx says are available for the month.
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Play Care 09:57 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Leigh:
I put 3M Book Tape on all of my books (as soon as they come in the house-before they are broken). It has REALLY cut down on the destruction!

Here's a link to what I use: http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/scotc...eNYaAgw98P8HAQ
This is so embarrassing. I volunteer in a library. Part of my duties is to use book tape to reinforce kids books, paperbacks, etc.

Never even thought to use it on my books

Now I wonder if they'll even allow me back...NO BOOKS FOR YOU!!!
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renodeb 10:09 AM 09-03-2015
I have a young group to. (oldest just turned 3) The babies chew on the corners of the board books (nothing much I can do about that) When I get down to far on books I replace them, garage sales are a great way to replace without having to buy new. I agree with others, cut down on the books, maybe rotate book boxes? Kids are hard on toys!
Deb
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Laurel 10:11 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Heidi:
I'd say that since the reading specialist isn't buying all those books, you have to do what's best for your business. Kids destroying $20-50 worth of books a week is not her problem.

I also have a lot of books. I have a rack that has maybe 15 at a time (and that's been recent..before that it was 5-8). I have another basket of about 5-6 books in my second room by a bench and small chair. I rotate every week or two, or when I notice people getting bored. My oldest here is 2 1/2, so they like repetition at this age.

If I see a book on the floor, I point at it and say "Alert! Alert! book on the floor!"

Cracks me up when I hear the kids do it, too.

Honestly, access to books is great for them. But, I don't think they need 50 at the same time.


I used to put out 2 books times the number of children I had. So if there were 4 children I'd put out 8 total. Then I'd switch them out when they got tired of them. If I noticed that they really didn't pick up certain books much then I'd swap just those out.

This worked out so much better than when I used to put out more.

Laurel
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renodeb 10:12 AM 09-03-2015
Thanks Leigh, next time I'm out I'm gonna pick up a roll. I hope they sell it in stores? I love this site. So many good ideas.
Deb
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midaycare 11:16 AM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Play Care:
This is so embarrassing. I volunteer in a library. Part of my duties is to use book tape to reinforce kids books, paperbacks, etc.

Never even thought to use it on my books

Now I wonder if they'll even allow me back...NO BOOKS FOR YOU!!!
Haha!
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Leigh 12:07 PM 09-03-2015
Originally Posted by Play Care:
This is so embarrassing. I volunteer in a library. Part of my duties is to use book tape to reinforce kids books, paperbacks, etc.

Never even thought to use it on my books

Now I wonder if they'll even allow me back...NO BOOKS FOR YOU!!!
TOO funny! Remember the teachers that used to preach that "the answer is right in front of you!"? LOL
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Controlled Chaos 12:25 PM 09-03-2015
I rotate my books out monthly. I keep between 25 and 30 in our little book shelf.

No real suggestions, I just thought of you all as I taped Brown Bear Brown Bear back together this morning
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mommiebookworm 01:03 PM 09-03-2015
I need some of that tape too! 3 out of 4 books I read before naptime need to be taped back together.
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spud912 02:27 PM 09-03-2015
My children were pretty bad about books, but after a discussion with the children about how to use books nicely, it really helped. I really need to use some of the suggestions here though! I have one floating shelf above our couch where I store the books. I rotate the books out weekly based on the theme, but there are usually only about 10-15 out at a time. I end up taping about 4-5 books a week, especially those from the library.

BC: your "squawking like a pigeon" cracked me up .

Heidi: I will definitely have to use your "Alert! Alert! Book on the Floor!"

Midaycare: 1200 books??!?! I wish I had that many! After reading this thread, I got curious and counted what I could. I estimate I have in the ballpark of 600 books and I thought I had a TON, but 1200....wow! I usually have to supplement what I have with selections from the library. I'm so jealous!
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midaycare 03:49 AM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by spud912:
My children were pretty bad about books, but after a discussion with the children about how to use books nicely, it really helped. I really need to use some of the suggestions here though! I have one floating shelf above our couch where I store the books. I rotate the books out weekly based on the theme, but there are usually only about 10-15 out at a time. I end up taping about 4-5 books a week, especially those from the library.

BC: your "squawking like a pigeon" cracked me up .

Heidi: I will definitely have to use your "Alert! Alert! Book on the Floor!"

Midaycare: 1200 books??!?! I wish I had that many! After reading this thread, I got curious and counted what I could. I estimate I have in the ballpark of 600 books and I thought I had a TON, but 1200....wow! I usually have to supplement what I have with selections from the library. I'm so jealous!
Craigslist and garage sales! Oh, and flea markets. I buy books for $.25 or less. I'm also a book geek. I read all the time. So I'm really up on kids books and try to buy 1-2 really good ones per month.
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Annalee 07:56 AM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by midaycare:
Craigslist and garage sales! Oh, and flea markets. I buy books for $.25 or less. I'm also a book geek. I read all the time. So I'm really up on kids books and try to buy 1-2 really good ones per month.
The ice bins from walmart are great to place books in separated by theme. Some of my books are stored this way. It makes monthly change-out easy.
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Leigh 08:13 AM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by spud912:
My children were pretty bad about books, but after a discussion with the children about how to use books nicely, it really helped. I really need to use some of the suggestions here though! I have one floating shelf above our couch where I store the books. I rotate the books out weekly based on the theme, but there are usually only about 10-15 out at a time. I end up taping about 4-5 books a week, especially those from the library.

BC: your "squawking like a pigeon" cracked me up .

Heidi: I will definitely have to use your "Alert! Alert! Book on the Floor!"

Midaycare: 1200 books??!?! I wish I had that many! After reading this thread, I got curious and counted what I could. I estimate I have in the ballpark of 600 books and I thought I had a TON, but 1200....wow! I usually have to supplement what I have with selections from the library. I'm so jealous!
I started selling Scholastic books-I buy all my books from them now. Super cheap, and the kids love them. If you are interested, I can give you a referral.
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daycare 09:13 AM 09-04-2015
we sing songs about books
here is my favorite.

we sing it each day before book time

tune is high ho the dairy-0

hold up a book and point to each part of the book as you sing

these are the main words:

this is the front of the book, this is the front of the book high-ho-library-o this is the front of the book.

then sing the same words and change it from front :to back of the book,
spine, of the book.



sign main words and fill in: the illustrator draws (point with your finger and draw in the air)
the author writes the book, (pint with finger to other palm of hand like you are writing in a book)

the copyright tells us when the copy right tells us when, (point to your watch) high-ho-library-o, the copy right tells us when.

We sing this before book time each and every day.

I only bring the books out when I can offer up 100% supervision. we have rules about our books

always gentle hands
books are for reading, not building or seats or ________________
we sit criss cross applesauce and hold it in our lap.

###I found that most of the kids would place them on the floor and lean on them, which would cause the spine to rip/tear.

lastly, one book out at a time. you come back give it to me and I show you how to put it away.

once you show me you can care properly for our books, I will be a little more flexible. our preschool kids have their own book area they can use at any time they would like. But this is something that is earned.

I see it as any other toy/item. they have to be shown how to respect them and how to properly use them. unfortunately, I think that most kids do not get the opportunity to learn about proper book respect because they are only shown at school.
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daycare 09:14 AM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by Annalee:
The ice bins from walmart are great to place books in separated by theme. Some of my books are stored this way. It makes monthly change-out easy.
what are ice bins?
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Annalee 10:18 AM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by daycare:
what are ice bins?
rectangular things I found in housewares for 1.26 a piece...It was labeled as ice bins...I assume for ice makers in the fridge
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spud912 01:48 PM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by Leigh:
I started selling Scholastic books-I buy all my books from them now. Super cheap, and the kids love them. If you are interested, I can give you a referral.
I started the reading club on Scholastic this month. Go figure not one parent bought a book .... not even the dollar books. Next time they start asking me about their child's progress in preschool activities, I'm going to tell the parents how they need to do their part at home by reading to their kids. They can't hope for their kid to be the next Einstein by passively hoping everyone else does all the work .

Regardless, I will be ordering a ton of books this time around, which means more points and more books . I really needed books with CD's so we are stocking up.
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Thriftylady 01:59 PM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by daycare:
what are ice bins?
I'm really glad someone asked that question. I was scratching my head.
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Thriftylady 02:01 PM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by spud912:
I started the reading club on Scholastic this month. Go figure not one parent bought a book .... not even the dollar books. Next time they start asking me about their child's progress in preschool activities, I'm going to tell the parents how they need to do their part at home by reading to their kids. They can't hope for their kid to be the next Einstein by passively hoping everyone else does all the work .

Regardless, I will be ordering a ton of books this time around, which means more points and more books . I really needed books with CD's so we are stocking up.
I have thought about doing this. But every parent I get gripes about even paying for DC so I am figuring no one would buy them but I like your approach!
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Baby Beluga 02:04 PM 09-04-2015
Out of curiosity, what is involved in the Scholastic reading program? I have heard about it - but wondered if it would even benefit my families since most of them are teachers and I am sure have access to scholastic through their schools.
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spud912 02:31 PM 09-04-2015
Originally Posted by Baby Beluga:
Out of curiosity, what is involved in the Scholastic reading program? I have heard about it - but wondered if it would even benefit my families since most of them are teachers and I am sure have access to scholastic through their schools.
It may not benefit them but it definitely benefits you! The prices of the books are already low (for the most part), but then you earn points for each book you purchase. You can use those points for more books .
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