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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Between feedings, naps, and diaper changes, babies need enriching and engaging activities. While they aren’t yet ready to check out books and start reading, the Medfield Public Library welcomes the youngest and tiniest infants to join the library community to enjoy age-appropriate programs. One of the programs is Pattycake Place, a fifteen-minute drop-in program for babies zero to 24 months and their caregivers.
Leading the weekly class is Children’s Librarian Bernadette Foley. Bernadette reads picture books to the babies, sings upbeat and classic songs, and brings interactive activities to the Children’s Program Room. Using the large television screen in the room to play songs and videos, Bernadette and the caregivers sing to the babies as the older ones bop to the beat.
The babies at Medfield Library’s Pattycake Place played on the rug of the Children’s Program Room while listening to stories and songs.
As they sing “Old MacDonald,” the babies at the Medfield Library’s Pattycake Place play with stuffed animals.
Bernadette reads the book, “I Am a Baby,” which features pictures of everyday baby essentials, like cribs, high chairs, and bibs. As some of the babies practice their newly acquired crawling and walking skills by moving around the room, others contently remain in their caregivers’ laps as Bernadette prepares for another song. She hands out all different kinds of stuffed animals as they sing “Old MacDonald.”
After the song, Bernadette has more fun activities planned for the babies. She distributes handheld musical instruments and colorful scarves to toss in the air as “Under the Sea” plays in the background. As some of the babies sit up to listen to the song, they are enchanted by the bright colors of the scarves raining down on them and the sounds of the instruments filling the room.
Once the song ends and Bernadette collects the items, the caregivers laugh as two babies toppl over each other, not quite masters of their little legs yet. But since the babies are all smiles, Bernadette continues with “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and the adults join her in singing and doing the song’s corresponding hand movements.
Before ending the program, Bernadette plays the longtime favorite children’s song: “The Wheels on the Bus.” With each of the verses calling for different lyrics and hand movements, the babies grin and enthusiastically engage.
Although only fifteen minutes long, the program delivers quality moments between the babies and their caregivers, enriching songs and stories, a way for the infants and adults to socialize with others, and the opportunity for babies to have their first of many enjoyable experiences at the library.
