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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
In the past year, the Medfield Public Library staff has been hard at work to introduce new and exciting programs to the community. Even in just the last few months, the library held a grand opening of the STEAM room, also known as the Makerspace, celebrated its centennial, and featured new craft programs for adults and teens.
However, there are still many tried-and-true programs that the library will continue hosting, like “Toddler Time.”
Bernadette Foley, Head of Children’s Services, holds the program twice a week for toddlers ages 18 to 36 months to enjoy with their caregivers. Because “Toddler Time” is only 15 minutes long, Bernadette didn’t waste any time before beginning the program with a story.
To get the little ones moving and singing, the group sang “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” the toddlers practicing their balance as their hands tapped from head to feet. One of toddlers participated in pajamas, having just attended pajama day at school. Next, the caregivers joined in to sing “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around” as the tots stretched and jumped.
A toddler at the Medfield Public Library’s ‘Toddler Time’ takes a bell to shake during one of the program’s songs.
Bernadette brought out a bin full of fluffy stuffed animals for the children to choose from as they prepared to sing “Old MacDonald.” With a meow-meow here, and a woof-woof there, the toddlers giggled as Bernadette and their caregivers made donkey sounds for a part of the song.
Although some of the children reluctantly returned the stuffed animals at the end of the song, Bernadette promised more fun activities for the toddlers. She brought another bin to the center of the rug, only this one jingled as Bernadette carried it. The children looked curiously to their librarian, but she didn’t keep them wondering about its contents for very long.
Head of Children’s Services Bernadette Foley gives a toddler a stuffed animal rabbit to hold onto while the group sings ‘Old MacDonald.’
Before playing an instrumental version of “Rockin’ Robin,” Bernadette ensured that each child had a bell to shake and play with during the song. The toddlers jumped up and down with their bells, grinning as their caregivers threw colorful scarves into the air.
Although the program goes by quickly, the positive energy and the wealth of activities Bernadette brings to “Toddler Time” guarantees an enjoyable time for all of the toddlers in attendance.
