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Library gets children moving
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Melissa Miner held her son Jack as they enjoyed games and songs during Austintown library’s “Gotta Move: Dreams and Wishes” program July 2.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Colleen Sullivan took advantage of play time during Austintown library’s “Gotta Move : Dreams and Wishes” program for all ages July 2.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Children of a variety of ages all played their way into literacy during Austintown library’s event “Gotta Move: Dreams and Wishes July 2.
“Its truly about literacy. Play is such an important part of it. What we’re trying to do is develop pre-literacy skills with songs, play and rhyme. They all funnel into getting kids prepared for school. They get used to hearing words over again and repetition is good at this age. It also gives them socialization skills that they can carry thorough their lives, said Children’s librarian Kathy Orr.
Learning a variety of new skills, such as, number and letter identification and parts of the body, participants never had a dull moment. Parents even joined in with their children singing and dancing alongside them throughout the event.
“I think it would be a good social event for kids. I don’t think there’s a better place than the library,” said Kalah Ragan.
Kids almost forgot they were learning as they jumped and crawled around the meeting room of the library. Although the event was for children, Orr was just as excited to join in on the festivities with her young audience.
“They’re wonderful. They keep you young and sometimes you get a hug and it’s just wonderful. We have a really nice following here. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love the children,” Orr said.