Arts & Entertainment
It's Storytime!
The Central Library of Arlington Public Libraries offers a special program for children in the Ballston and Virginia Square area. Storytime gives youth the opportunity to connect with books.
"Early literacy is not about teaching kids to read, but allowing them to get positive interactions with books," said Patricia Loverich, the youth services technology librarian of Arlington Public Library.
Loverich has worked with the library for more than 10 years. Her big suggestion to parents is get kids associated with book early. Though you "can't expect [a baby] not to put a book in their mouth," Loverich said even this positive association with books is advantageous to a child's future literacy.
Storytime at the Central Library, a branch of the Arlington Public Library System, began on Sept. 13. It has been a successful program for the library with parents rushing to the library each week.
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"In May, we did 75 preschool Storytime programs throughout the system, Central and the six branches, for 3,365 participants," Loverich said. "That number includes children and their parents or caregivers. That is pretty typical."
Loverich strongly advises parents to arrive early to their program of interest because space is limited and seats are available first come first serve.
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The Storytime program is broken down into four different groups with separate objectives. Under 2's will see singing dancing and hear simple stories. Over 2's will be introduced to picture books and the library as a whole. Stop in for Stories was created for all pre-school aged children to learn and appreciate reading and listening. Cuentos Para Niños is a Spanish story time with songs and crafts for children of all ages.
"We can't keep up with demand," Loverich said. "One program turned into two. Two turned into four."
For parents that are trying to introduce their children to books at home, the library has set up a simple coding system for young children's books. Red books are easy readers, yellow books are medium, green books are just before a child would start reading books in the juvenile section.
Loverich suggests keeping up with their blog, www.fromtotstotweens.blogspot.com for more information on youth programs.
