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Babies sing their way to literacy at library event
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Neighbors| Eartha Terrell.Landon Fox (left) and Colt Gary played a few games together while they listened to songs during the Baby Brilliant event at the Poland library June 13.
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Parents and grandparents were thrilled to spend time with their children helping them read and understand language during the Baby Brilliant event June 13.
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Tim Bauman (left) held his daughter Emily as they read books with Leigh Devine (center) and her daughter Jordin during the Baby Brilliant event at the Poland Library June 13.
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Lily Mincks smiled for a photo as she enjoyed looking through books full of pictures during the Baby Brilliant event at the Poland library June 13.
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Parents, grandparents and children mingled amongst each other during the Baby Brilliant event at the Poland library June 13.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Babies 6-23 months proved you can never be too young to learn how to read as they sang their way to literacy during the Baby Brilliant event at the Poland library June 14.
“Every week at the library in Poland we start with a program of rhymes, songs and books. It’s a part of our early literacy program. We expose them [babies] to language, which helps them become better readers,” said Poland library assistant supervisor Linda Kucalaba.
The event consisted of singing songs, reading books to children and getting children involved in all the activities. Although reading is important at any age, it is particularly important for young children whose minds are developing. The Baby Brilliant initiative was created not only to entertain babies, but also to increase babies’ exposure to more vocabulary.
According to Kucalaba, children may not be able to comprehend exactly what is being said, but by hearing new diction through song lyrics and their parents reading to them, they can significantly improve their overall reading capabilities when they are older. The goals of the program include increasing community awareness of the importance of reading, preparing developmentally adequate collections for early literacy efforts, training parents and caregivers different techniques to strengthen reading abilities and increasing partnership with other community organizations.
Some parents not only brought their children to learn, but also to meet new playmates.
“We sang songs and listened to a few songs. I like that she socializes with other babies her age. She definitely loves playing with other children and she’s very happy to be here,” said parent Julie Mincks.