Get Back-to-School Ready

 

Support your child’s school journey with Essex Libraries, online and in person.

 

 

 

Rhymetime & Storytime sessions

 

Build confidence for the first day with stories and rhymes at your library. These sessions can:

 

• Build listening, attention and language skills needed in the classroom
• Help children get used to sitting in a group and following instructions
• Introduce routines similar to school settings

 

Search our events site to find a session near you.

 

 

 

Books! For children and parents

 

Explore our wide range of picture books, early readers, and children’s fiction to help support reading confidence and early literacy before term starts.

 

Picking out their own books can help children with independence and create a positive routine around reading.

 

If your child is worried about the transition or has struggles at school, explore children’s and adult books, eBooks, and eMagazines with guidance on:

 

• Starting school, or preparing your child for school
• Making friends
• Managing worries and big feelings
• Managing routines and transitions
• Supporting reading at home

 

Explore our range of books by searching the catalogue or check out your local library!

 

 

 

Summer Reading Challenge

 

Prevent the summer learning dip with our annual reading challenge! Encouraging children to read over summer helps to:

 

• Keep reading skills sharp ready for September
• Build confidence
• Create enthusiasm for books

 

This year's theme, Read to the Beat, also helps to encourage creativity and imagination by exploring the connection between stories and music.

 

 

 

eBooks & eAudiobooks

 

Maintain good reading habits with children’s eBooks and audiobooks on BorrowBox. The app-based format supports flexibility for busy families and travelling, plus listening to audiobooks can help listening and comprehension skills.

 

 

 

Online learning resources

 

Support skills in research, curiosity, and learning through our access to online educational platforms.

 

• Access educational films and TV shows on Kanopy or Kanopy Kids. For younger viewers, discover classic stories and rhymes, cartoons, and language shows. For older children, explore cultural, educational, and emotional topics through documentaries, coming of age films, independent movies, and world cinema.
• Prepare older children for new topics or ‘big school’ skills on LinkedIn learning.  
• Learn or practice another language with child-friendly courses on Transparent Language.
• Encourage research and general knowledge for older children with historical, biographical, and academic services such as Ancestry, online newspaper archives, biographies of people from the past, Access to Research, and online dictionaries.

 

Explore our full collection of online resources.

 

 

 

Homework support: Space and resources

 

Ease back into learning routines and enjoy quiet, focused environments in our libraries, with free access to:

 

• Study space
• Books and information
• Digital resources

 

Find out what's available at your local library.

 

 

Reading and Writing Clubs

 

Support creativity and good reading habits throughout the summer with Creative Writing clubs and Book Groups just for kids or teens. Also a great opportunity to meet other like-minded young people in your area.