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Children's programs continue at Westchester Public Library

August 30, 2010

Westchester Public Library will continue with several popular children’s programs this fall and winter. These programs are for different ages and are held at different times to meet the needs of families with young children.  Programs are held at Thomas Library, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton, and Hageman Library, 100 Francis Street, Porter. Children’s programs begin the week of September 7. 

Play Date is an unstructured playtime for babies newborn to 12 months old (siblings welcome) and their parent or caregiver. Play Date takes place at Hageman Library on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m.

Tickle Tales is a creative, hands-on introduction to books and the library for children ages 9-24 months and their parent or caregiver. Tickle Tales is held on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. at Hageman Library and at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Thomas Library. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required at the library where the child will attend Tickle Tales. Read more about Tickle Tales here.

Toddler Time is a special story time for children two-three years of age and their parent or caregiver. Thomas Library sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday mornings at 10 a.m. and at Hageman Library on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. Toddler Time is an informal introduction to books and the library.

Stepping Stone 3's is story time for three year olds who are independent of their parent but not ready for a longer story time. Stepping Stone 3’s will take place at Hageman Library on Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time is for children four to six years of age and not yet in kindergarten. Sessions will be held at Thomas Library on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Story Time at Hageman will be held on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Programs last approximately one-half hour and are available on a drop-in basis.

Sleepytime Stories is an evening story time of quiet bedtime stories and songs for the family. Set aside Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and join other families for Sleepytime at Thomas Library.

Library story time programs are exciting and fun-filled, yet also provide important learning experiences for young children. In addition to listening to stories, sessions also include music, finger plays and stories told in a variety of formats. Programs are built around weekly themes that enlarge children’s knowledge of life and expand their vocabulary.

Listening to stories and learning to follow directions help to build positive attitudes toward books. They also help children develop valuable pre-reading skills. In addition, talking with the storyteller helps children increase their creativity and their ability to comprehend languages and express ideas.

Please call Thomas Library at 926-7696 or Hageman Library at 926-9080 for more information.