BABYGARTEN!

 

We are very excited to introduce Babygarten, a fun and exciting program for children ages 0 to 2 and their caregivers! 

Babygarten will run in multiple 6-week sessions during the year, and will require registration for each session. The first 3 days of registration are for Coventry residents only, then registration opens up to everyone. Space is limited! Families who attend at least 4 of the 6 dates in each session will receive a library tote bag.

• The first 6-week session begins at 10:15 AM on Tuesday, Oct. 12 - the dates are as follows: Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, and 16. Registration begins on Sept. 28. Call the library at 746-7606 or register online.

• The second 6-week session begins on Tuesday, Dec. 7 - the dates are as follows: Dec. 7, 14, 21, Jan. 4, 11, and 18. Registration begins Nov. 30. Call the library at 746-7606 or register online.

What is Babygarten?

• Infants and their caregivers will share nursery rhymes, songs and books, but also get a chance to make fun projects that demonstrate the children's developmental milestones - usually a homemade toy or a baby book item.
• Many projects and activities will emphasize the importance of reading to babies and parents will learn how to do this most effectively.
• The class concludes with a free play period.

The program includes:

Nursery Rhymes and Songs – Infants in the womb are soothed by the ever-present beat of a mother’s heartbeat. Babies of all ages still respond to a steady beat no matter what form it takes – rhymes, music, windshield wipers, dishwashers, etc. Rhymes also provide interesting repetition of the sounds we use in everyday language. Using familiar rhymes on a regular basis encourages your child to make sounds and eventually form first words.

Book Sharing – We’ll read books in unison (yes, the same ones over and over!) and the librarian may recommend books that are most popular with babies. For infants, a book represents the closeness of being held and the soft sounds that come from a familiar person. Eventually, they will understand how a book “works” and that the black squiggles somehow correspond with the sounds the reader makes. These are all pre-literacy skills that better prepare your child for a lifetime of learning.

Parenting Information – Questions about infant development and parenting often arise during the Babygarten program. We welcome your questions and will do everything we can to help you find answers. Sometimes the best source is the person sitting next to you on the floor!

Handmade Toys and Mementos – The playthings that babies enjoy most are always the least expensive ones. You’ll have the opportunity to construct simple, effective toys from items we all have around the house. Also, to help you remember the fleeting moments of your child’s babyhood, we’ll make some items that are perfect for grandparent gifts or the baby book.

Free Play Period – At the end of each session, we’ll do what we THINK comes naturally to all caregivers. Playing is how babies learn and your involvement can enhance their enjoyment and enlightenment. It’s fun to see how other people play and how babies respond to each other. This is where some of your best discoveries will originate – either through observation or conversation (with babies and adults!).

***BABYGARTEN made possible by funding from the 2010 Book Sale.***