Library focuses on Babies and Books

Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Grandma Anna Smail (back) helped her granddaughter Matea Ronyak (front) acclimate to the feel of a book in her hands by reading a story with the 2-year-old.

Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Library guest Jackie Wang (back) sang songs with her son Benjamin Lu (front) during the Canfield library's Dec. 12 Babies and Books story time.
By SARAH FOOR
A small, but friendly, group of toddlers visited the Canfield library on Dec. 12 for a “Time for Babies and Books” story time.
The relaxed, informative event focused on teaching parents to encourage narrative skills as their babies develop literacy. Tips on a handout offered at the story time suggested that parents talk to their kids about what they are doing, ask their toddlers to tell them about things and have the kids help tell the story when reading a book.
“I think that Christmas is a wonderful time to share stories, so that is our focus today. Storytelling helps babies develop comprehension skills. We’re focusing on making sure that the kids understand the beginning, middle and end of stories during today’s event,” shared Canfield librarian Jane Adams.
Adams taught the importance of storytelling through short songs that included a plot. Babies bounced on their parent’s or grandparent’s knees during “The Riding Game,” while the words shared how different people ride horses. “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” told the familiar story of the persistent climbing spider and holiday favorite “Jingle Bells” painted a portrait of a fun sleigh ride.
Adams shared two short peek-a-boo books and then let the babies shake noisemakers and play with toys.
“The end of our story time is also a great time for the babies to socialize and learn to play with one another,” Adams pointed out.