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Library wraps up summer reading
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Olivia Garland, from Boardman, poses with her chalk drawing of Tinker Bell. Drawing with chalk is one of the ways that was discussed during the Family Story Time event to encourage children to learn and be creative at the same time.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Owen Weimer, from Boardman, poses with the book he checked out of the library after story time. The story time was part of the summer reading program hosted by the Boardman library to encourage an interest in reading.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Grace (right) and Jacob Bodine (left), from Austintown, blew bubbles outside the Boardman library just after the Family Story Time event on Aug. 29.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Kennedy Carpenter (left) and Jordan Smith (right), from Youngstown, play with chalk outside Boardman library. The Family Story Time event that completed the summer reading program focused on drawing with chalk as one of the many ways to encourage creativity within children.
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Neighbors | Alisa Manna.Children's Librarian, John Yingling, read "A Piece of Chalk" by Jennifer A. Ericsson to children at the Boardman library for the end of their summer reading program on Aug. 29.
By ALISA MANNA
The Boardman library ended its summer reading program on Aug. 29 with a chalk-themed story time.
Children’s Librarian John Yingling began by reading “A Piece of Chalk” by Jennifer A. Ericsson. He then proceeded with the theme by telling a story about a little girl, illustrating with chalk.
“It’s a chalk story, which is perfect for the theme,” Yingling said. “But it’s also about color recognition for the little ones.”
Yingling said the illustrations encourage children to participate and demonstrate different ways to tell a story.
“A lot of people think we just read a book, but there are several ways to tell a story,” he said. “You can draw, use finger plays or magnetic pieces.”
After story time, Yingling set up different activity stations outside the library for the children. One activity was a drawn line the children had to walk on to test for a sense of balance and following directions. He also had the kids practice their hand-eye coordination by throwing toy horseshoes at poles. And, of course, there was chalk for the children to draw with.
The librarian said if parents allow their children to be creative, whether it’s with drawing or music, their children are using both sides of their brain.
“It’s helping the little ones’ brains develop by drawing,” Yingling said. “They’re not goofing around; they’re actually learning by drawing and being creative.”
Yingling also stressed the importance of socialization skills between the children and their peers. He noticed the children were curious about each other and would often walk up to someone they didn’t know and talk.
Both Sheree Nemenz, from Springfield, and Becky Clinesmith, from Berlin Center, brought their children to the library because the program offered literacy skills as well as social interaction.
“It’s a great way to get my daughter interested in reading and to socialize with other kids,” Clinesmith said.
Laney Pinaciaro, from Boardman, is the mother of a 2, 5 and 7-year-old who brought her children to the library because story time was “fun and perfect” for all their ages.
Though the summer reading program is done for the year, Yingling and his coworkers hope the parents and children continue to visit throughout the school year.
The Boardman library offers toddler and preschool story times every week and baby story time once a month.