By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Casey Cardinia Libraries are resuming their regular program with children this February.
At Hampton Park Library there will be toddler story time on Tuesdays, baby storytimes on Wednesdays and preschool storytime on Thursdays.
Each storytime starts at 11am.
At Bunjil Place Library, preschool storytime is on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 11.45am.
Baby storytime goes for 35 minutes, starting at 2.15pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and 10am on Wednesdays.
Toddler storytime is on Tuesdays at 10.30am and Wednesdays at 2.15pm for 30 minutes.
Involvement in story time forms a crucial part in children’s language development according to Hampton Park Library youth services librarian Ann Delahoy.
“They interact with the adults and other children,” Ms Delahoy said.
“It’s good to get them out of the house after Covid-19 – it’s been really nice to get them back on board and they enjoy the variety of being in a new space.
“There are hundreds and hundreds of books they can borrow and take home so it’s very good for their development.”
The sessions for 0-1 year-olds are sensory focussed: “it involves touching books and getting [the kids] used to the concept of a book and turning the pages over so that’s where it’s really important that they come and borrow the books and take them home.”
The toddlers and preschoolers participate in singing songs and rhymes and listening to books being read.
During the sessions she ran in January, Ms Delahoy noticed the enjoyment the children got from storytime after constant cancellations in the last two years due to Covid-19.
“They all seemed to be relieved to be back, they didn’t want to leave they wanted to sit there and be entertained. After I finished my session they were still sitting there so I grabbed another book then another book. We wanted to be in the space together again and enjoy the whole feel of storytime.”
For bookings and more information, visit: events.ccl.vic.gov.au/?fbclid=IwAR2SCinlYBrKeAckuvel3P-gIiVY_TYkRfUffOjWWVNYhv-dUSuvTR3Fyn0
Similar programs are also run at nearby libraries in Pakenham, Endeavour Hills, Cranbourne, Doveton and Emerald.
All sessions are run in a Covid-safe manner.
