43
Boardman library hosts Baby Brilliant program
Photo
Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Youth services librarian Allison Graf got some help in leading the children in a song during the Baby Brilliant event at the Boardman library.
Photo
Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.A mother and her daughters watched intently as Allison Graf read from the book "Curious Chick" during the Baby Brilliant event at the Boardman library.
Photo
Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.A young boy enthusiastically watched and listened during the reading of a book during the Baby Brilliant event at the Boardman library.
Photo
Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.The children and parents sang along during the song "Up, Down, Turn Around" during the Baby Brilliant event at the Boardman library.
Photo
Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.The children paid close attention as Allison Graf showed them the book "Curious Chick" during the Baby Brilliant event at the Boardman library.
By TIM CLEVELAND
As it has for many years, the Boardman library hosted a Baby Brilliant story time for children ages 6-23 months on Nov. 7, giving them a head start on learning early literacy skills.
The 6- 23 month-old story time alternates every Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m., with the 2-3 year-old Wednesday at 10 a.m. and the 4-5 year-old Tuesday at 10 a.m.
“It’s very important for parents and caregivers to expose their children to early literacy concepts, and those are things your baby can learn about reading before they actually start to read,” Boardman library youth services librarian Allison Graf said. “The window of time between 6 months and 23 months is really important to get them exposed to the kind of skills we’re going to do here.”
Graf led the children in songs such as “The More We Get Together,” “Up, Down, Turn Around” and “Old King Cole,” and read the books “Curious Chick,” “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” and “Peek-a-Boo!”
The 30-minute program attracted seven children and five adults.
Graf said parents who bring their children to the story times will be helping them learn skills they will need when they begin attending school.
“Today’s focus is going to be on discovering books, so we’re finding books that speak to our children’s interests and sharing them often,” she said. “Babies like repetition, so if they have a book that they really enjoy don’t worry about repeating it a lot. That’s actually good for their brains.”