The Marathon County Public Library unveiled its new Early Literacy Center, a special section in the children’s area of its Wausau Headquarters designed especially for children age five and under. The opening of the center was commemorated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

Early literacy is a term used to describe what children know about language before learning how to read. This includes knowing what letters look and sound like, understanding words that rhyme, and learning how a book works and that printed text has meaning. These concepts are taught to children through talking, singing, reading, writing and playing with a caregiver.

MCPL’s new Early Literacy Center will have a direct focus on these practices and skills compared to the play area that previously occupied the space in the children’s area. The center will also offer rotating themes and specialized activities to better help parents guide their child and bring awareness to parents about these brain-building skills.

With its fun, whimsical décor, the Early Literacy Center also offers a cozy reading nook where adults and children can share books together. The area also features wall manipulatives and puzzles that will help little hands develop fine motor skills, which are a precursor to writing. There is also a magnetic wall where children can build words with different letters and a flannel wall where little minds can retell a story or make up their own.

The new Early Literacy Center would not be possible without the following generous donors: the Marathon County Public Library Foundation, the Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club and the Community Foundation of Northcentral Wisconsin.

For more information, please visit the children’s area at MCPL’s Wausau Headquarters to see this investment in the youngest generation of lifelong learners.