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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Kids learned while having fun as they sang songs, played games and listened to stories at the Westwood Library last Tuesday morning.
The Wiggle and Giggle Storytime had the little ones learning about different animals, words, and numbers - not to mention dancing like airplanes and singing a fun song about bananas, for that matter.
The interactive learning experience had toddlers jumping around, dancing, and tossing colorful scarves in the air.
Young members of the audience fly around like airplanes, helping the storytime take off. Photos by Daniel Curtin
Children's Department Assistant Librarian Suzie Canale made sure all the kids could see the different pictures while reading to them.
“Everyone is welcome at all stages of the game,” Canale said. “Our job is to not only help support literacy, but also to get kids used to being able to sit for five minutes. Even if you think your child can sit for a minute, come on in and have fun, because they get better and better at it.”
Librarians create each storytime using their own unique style to keep the event fresh every time. The stories help teach listening skills for toddlers, all while introducing them to the different books available at the library.
“It is honestly one of the most popular ones around, and the one that does the most around the surrounding towns we visited,” said Danielle Fuller, who had brought her children. “This is our favorite.”
Assistant Librarian Danielle Fuller got the kids involved by having them play a guessing game as she read. Photos by Daniel Curtin
“Sometimes they get bored at home, so this is the best way to keep them entertained,” said Yasmin Rodriguez, an au pair who had brought her charges along for the fun. “It is dynamic and it is different every time. It’s really cool that they can do different stuff and they learn.”
Assistant Librarian Suzie Canale knows that parents and adults in attendance enjoy the event, as well. “It’s nice to be part of this group. A lot of parents meet each other, and it’s also a social gathering, too,” Canale said.
There will be a small break before the next storytime, which will be happening in September.
More information on library programming can be found at http://www.westwoodlibrary.org.
