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CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT NEWS
December 2011
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| Frederick County Public Libraries |
Greetings!
When the weather turns dreary, there's nothing like a warm reading lamp to whisk you away to brighter places. In any season, Frederick County Public Libraries is a warm, welcoming environment where you can expand your horizons and learn more about your own community and beyond. We invite you to a variety of programs throughout the winter to keep kids of all ages engaged in learning. If the weather prevents you from traveling to our locations, don't forget our busiest branch is online at www.fcpl.org. You'll find a wealth of information as well as fun, educational e-books for kids. In the event that this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to continue to receive information about library programs, services, and events, we invite you to sign up here for our email newsletter. Best wishes for the holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you soon! Sincerely,
Darrell Batson, Director
Frederick County Public Libraries |
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STORYTIME
SHOW
with Ms. JENNI | |
December
Toys and Tunes
Toys and tunes of the holiday season. See a special Santa puppet play and other
musical fun.
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CELEBRATING WINTER, LIBRARY STYLE!
With the onset of winter just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about indoor activities for kids! The weather may be restrictive but that doesn't mean early literacy activities need to be sacrificed. Now would be a great time to create a Kids Art Corner in your home. Providing children with writing supplies (notecards, envelopes, alphabet stamps, colored pencils, junk mail) encourages valuable literacy experiences.
Winter is the perfect time to take advantage of the free programs at your local library. On Tuesday, December 20, at 11 am Middletown Library is offering a "Welcome Winter Party" with snow stories, songs, frosty fingerplays, and a chilly craft that will surely warm up your morning! These library events reinforce what you, as parents, are doing at home with your children: modeling literate behavior in an exciting and engaging way.
On Tuesday, January 24, at 11 am, children are invited to tickle their funny bones on "Global Belly Laugh Day" at the Middletown Library. One of the early literacy skills is phonological awareness: appreciating sounds and meanings of words. Silly stories and songs, jovial jokes, and ridiculous riddles are entertaining ways your child can participate in having fun playing with words! So bundle up and head for the library!
Submitted by Teresa Perper
Middletown Library |
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT THE LIBRARY
'Tis the season! Frederick County Public Libraries are kicking off the holidays with programs that are sure to get you in a festive mood! From caroling to holiday crafts and more, you are invited to celebrate the joys of the season with us! Here are a few highlights of our 'Holiday Happenings":
The C. Burr Artz Library is participating in Museums by Candlelight all day on December 10th. Share in the holiday tradition of mask making for Belsnickling at 11 am and then wear the mask while caroling around downtown Frederick with our famous Belsnickler, Mr. Jon! Upon returning to the library enjoy a sweet snack while watching Dance Unlimited's Danztastix performers present a fun holiday dance. The Maryland Room will feature an exhibit of collectible board games for children and adults while toy trains will be operating in the C. Burr Artz Trust Room for the day. Holiday music on the harp and flugelhorn will be performed at 12 noon. You can also enjoy whimsical and holiday inspired art entries on display for the Children's Holiday Art Show at the C. Burr Artz Library from December 5th-30th in the children's department.
More gingerbread fun can be found at the Walkersville Library for their Gingerbread House making program on December 10th at 11 am. Bring a candy to share and join us at the library to make your very own gingerbread house! Registration is required - visit here for more information.
Looking for something fun to do during Winter break? Brunswick Library will host Make & Take days December 27th - 29th where families can make & take a project each day.
For a complete list of holiday programs, please visit our website here.
Submitted by Robyn Monaco
Urbana Regional Library |
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IT'S WINTER...TIME TO GET MOVING!
The children's librarians at Frederick County Public Libraries always have a theme for the Summer Reading Club, but this year they've developed a winter-time theme as well.
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Tots 'n Tunes |
"We are very excited this year at FCPL to hone in more on early literacy skills and getting kids ready to read-and excited to read," explains Janet Vogel, Children's Services Supervisor at Thurmont Regional Library. "People might not realize, however, that not all early literacy skills come from sitting and listening to a story. The ability to follow directions when we dance to a song or the social skills built while waiting your turn or sharing can have a big impact on school readiness."
Vogel and her colleagues think that winter is the perfect time to highlight both the movement activities in regular FCPL programs, as well as new programs and special events. "When everyone is tired of being stuck inside, why not dance and move at the library?" she asks. "On top of all of the learning we sneak in during these fun programs, it's good to keep kids active during the winter when we often want to huddle up and eat baked goods!" Children and parents who enjoy moving at the library will likely be inspired to do similar activities at home.
Check the program listings for movement-filled storytimes and events, including Tots 'n Tunes, Kids in Motion, Wiggle Giggle Storytime, Yoga Storytime, and more.
The Facts about Movement and Music
* Moving to music, dancing, swaying, and jumping helps young children feel rhythm and begin to understand how their bodies work. It also helps them gain muscle control and balance, all of which contributes to a child's gross motor development.
* Through something as simple as forming a circle or standing in a line, children become aware of patterns and shapes. Physically "acting out" shapes increases children's understanding of those words.
* Musical rhythms and rhymes encourage spontaneous movement that strengthens young bodies and helps to develop sensory control.
* Activities with scarves, beanbags, and similar objects that cross the midline (center of the body) help form stronger connections in both sides of the brain, which helps children develop their minds.
-excerpted from The Early Literacy Kit -A Handbook and Tip Cards by Betsy Diamant-Cohen and Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting
Submitted by Marlene England
England Creative |
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SPOTLIGHT ON EARLY READER BOOK CLUBS
Do you ever wonder how to make reading fun for your child? Some kids love to read, while others need a little more encouragement. Either way, you can help your child learn to enjoy reading by bringing him or her to one of these book clubs for younger readers. Most of the clubs don't require reading ahead, but they include book discussion, related activities, and lots of enthusiasm for reading. Try one out this month!
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GRADES K-2:
Bookworms: A fun book club with theme-related activities. Choices include picture, beginning-to-read, short chapter and non-fiction books. Children do not have to be independent readers.
Brunswick: 1st Wednesday @ 4:30 pm
Remarkable Readers: Just beginning to read, or moved on to early chapter books? Either way, this is the group for you! Listen to a story or two and enjoy a craft.
C. Burr Artz: 2nd Thursday @ 4 pm
Magic Tree House: Do you have a favorite Magic Tree House Book? Join us for some hands-on activities celebrating this popular series.
Brunswick: 4th Monday @ 4:30 pm
GRADES 2-4
First Read: Be the first to see new books! Join us as we read some of the newest books in the library. We'll give them a review and a star rating. Thurmont: 2nd Wednesda y @ 4 pm
Adventure Book Club: Adventures begin in books. Join us as we read, share, and discuss what we've read, with lots of fun and games, too. Call or stop by to find out what the next theme is. Walkersville: 2nd Wednesday @ 5:15 pm
Submitted by Tara Lebherz Brunswick Public Library |
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THE LIBRARY FOR A NEW YEAR AND NEW YOU!
Tick, tock, tick, tock. Do you hear that? It's the sound of 2011 coming to an end and the New Year quickly approaching. And you know what that means! It's time to start thinking about your New Year's resolutions. This year, look to the library for inspiration.
Learn Something New
Whether you and your child want to learn how to say "Hello" in seven different languages, play a new sport, or bake an apple pie, the library is a great source for learning materials.
Organize a Family Fun Night
Between work, school, sports, and video games, many of us don't get a chance to see our loved ones as much as we would like. Organize a weekly or monthly Family Fun Night to bring everyone back together. Bring your family to the library to borrow one of our many family friendly DVDs! Prefer a more interactive activity? Pick up a craft or cook book. The possibilities are endless!
Attend One Storytime or Program a Month at Your Local Library
The weather outside may be frightful, but visiting the library is certainly delightful! We have storytimes, book clubs, and other special programs for all ages. Looking for a family program? Join us for Starlight Family Storytime! For more information about library programming, visit our website and view our Events Calendar.
Attempt to Break a World Record
Did you know that John Muller holds the world record for eating the most M&Ms in one minute using chopsticks? He ate 27! Think you can do better? Give it a try! The library owns many copies of the Guinness Book of World Records. Take it home tonight and find a record to beat. Even if you don't become the world record holder, you can have fun trying!
Read with Your Child Every Day
Did you know that reading aloud to your child increases their attention span, improves their listening skills and helps to develop their vocabulary? It is never too early to begin reading with your child. Even young infants can benefit from exposure to books and reading! So set aside a few minutes every day to read together.
Submitted by Carly Schilling
C. Burr Artz Public Library |
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If you would like to receive updates from time to time about events at your library, make sure to subscribe to this email newsletter.
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