PlayHooray: Fun for Little Ones at the Library

PlayHooray brought its fun-filled music and movement program to on Friday morning. The program, led by Patty Tomaselli, encourages parents and caretakers to get on their feet and play with their children.

“It’s a back to basics approach,” said Patty Tomaselli when describing the program. “We want to take thirty minutes to have fun and play with your baby.”

While PlayHooray appeals to a variety of ages, entertaining newborns to kindergardeners, this program was specifically for children from nine to 18 months old.

The program is more than just a good time for parents and children. It provides an opportunity for socialization while introducing children to nursery rhymes, books and finger play.

Martha Aguero, East Meadow resident, has been bringing her 15 month old son, Erick, to the PlayHooray program since he was six months old.

“He definitely enjoys the singing and the dancing,” said Aguero. “We come to every one of these programs because of it.”

Aguero enjoys that the classes incorporate books and encourage reading. Additionally, the hand games begin to develop the children’s motor skills.

“We’re just having fun, with loose learning themes,” explains Patty Tomaselli.

The class is founded largely on music and movement, two of PlayHooray’s core principles. The musical selection ranges from the traditional nursery rhymes to contemporary and pop music, which helps to get parents moving with their children.

But, sometimes, classic children’s songs can’t be beat. Audrey, 15 months old, loves to sing along with her favorite song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Her parents Karen and King Ang have been to the PlayHooray program once before, and brought her back because of the fun she had singing last class.

Patty Tomaselli, and her two partners, Laura LaMarita and Gail Yamada, acknowledge that music plays an important role in early childhood development. The music and movement incorporated into these play sessions encourages creative expression and intellectual growth.

PlayHooray returns to the East Meadow Public Library next Friday with PlayHooray Kids, for caregivers and children between 18 months to 5 years old.