One of my favorite activities is going to the library with my kids. The one in our neighborhood is nothing fancy and pretty small; we see Cheryl the security guard at the door and Trevor the librarian each week we go. It makes me forget that we live in a big city walking through the doors. My 5 yo lights up when she gets to play on the computers and find out what books we’re bringing home next.
I want my kids to love the library and not feel like there are a ton of rules when we go. I don’t want them to associate one of our favorite activities with getting yelled at for being loud or running in the halls. AND I don’t want them to do those behaviors when they’re there. I want them to be respectful of the other patrons reading and studying.
Here are three tips I’ve used to help make sure our library trips are enjoyable for everyone!
- Prepare & practice with your child before you go
Children learn best from repetition and clearly communicated expectations of their behavior before they are in a new environment. Children can become overstimulated and excited when they are out of their typical routines and in a new place, which can make teaching appropriate etiquette in the midst of a new experience very challenging.
It can be hard to remember to practice with our kids when we are on the go all the time. That’s why I wrote The Peaceful Library, a picture book to help prepare little ones for how to behave in a library. The parenting guide in the back is a tool you can use to help review your expectations with your child.
- Make it Exciting
Do you remember getting your first library card? I do! Many libraries offer little ones the opportunity to get their own and the librarian will link their cards to your account. Let your children know they can pick out any book and use their card to take it out all by themselves. They will be shocked and so excited!
- A note on consequences
Whatever your parenting style is, if you are going to let your child know they will have a consequence for their behavior, don’t say, “if you keep doing xxx, we aren’t getting any books.” Or “if you don’t do x, we are leaving right now.” Unless you are 100% prepared to walk out the door without taking out any books. So maybe they earn stickers for good behavior, or can’t have a treat after dinner. Whatever it is, make sure you can actually enforce it.
Behavior Books 