Baby steps toward reading

Posted 9/26/19

Some can only crawl. Others toddle, just getting sure of being on their feet, and still others have mastered running. They are all two years and under and they are all being introduced to books. The Warwick Public Library's Babies and Books has been a

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Baby steps toward reading

A SCENE FROM THE FARM: Andrea Hutnak, one of the regular leaders at Babies and Books, has a handful of stuffed animals as she leads the group in singing “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”

NOT JUST FOR KIDS: Adults follow along with hand gestures to the songs and readings.

SHE’S STARTING TO ADJUST: Dennis Giansanti has found with each visit to Babies and Books that his 16-month granddaughter, Vivianna Lourenco, is becoming more adjusted to being around other children.

TOY TIME: At the conclusion of reading and singing, a bin filled with toys is brought into the center of the room and it’s playtime.

Posted Thursday, September 26, 2019 1:51 pm

Some can only crawl. Others toddle, just getting sure of being on their feet, and still others have mastered running. They are all two years and under and they are all being introduced to books.

The Warwick Public Library’s Babies and Books has been a part of the children’s library program for as long as director Ellen O’Brien can remember. It’s been long enough for former participants to return with their kids.

Held twice weekly, Babies and Books runs an hour during which time one of several directors engage the children and their parent or guardian in finger plays, singing and sharing stories.

O’Brien said the children are introduced to early literacy skills, becoming familiar with the alphabet that hangs in a banner against the wall. Moreover, the children get to play and socialize. The adults get to interact. Babies and Books is not childcare and their adult companion cannot drop off their charge and hope to wander the library or run errands. Older siblings are permitted to sit in.

Babies and Books runs year round with the exception of short breaks around Christmas and again in June. On average, 20 kids attend the program held Monday and Tuesdays staring at 10:45 a.m.

O’Brien finds the program helps children build a relationship with the library. While there is no formal graduation the kids move on from baby time to exploring the universe of the children’s library, being a part of story time and one day taking home their very own book to read. (Text and photos by John Howell)