Programs
The information listed is the current offerings for early learners in June at Caille Library. My reflections are below the listings.
Crafternoon Storytime
Stories, songs, and a craft for families with children ages 2 - 6.
Sundays, June 10, 17, 24, 2-2:30 p.m.
Preschool for Parents
Make a take-home activity to help develop your prescholler's early learning, while your child enjoys guided playtime. This month's activity is funny face story stones. Parent registration is required.
Wednesday, June 27 10-11 a.m.
Preschool Storytime
Encourage a love of reading and develop your preschooler's early learning through stories, rhymes, songs, and movement. For children ages 3 - 5.
Tuesdays, June 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 - 11 a.m.
Toddler Storytime
Nurture your toddler's love of books through music, movement, and stories, while developing language motor, and social skills. For 2-year-olds and caregivers.
Thursdays, June 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30-10:55 a.m.
Wee Read and Explore
Engage your child in early learning games and activities inspired by books. For ages 3 - 6 and caregivers.
Wednesday, June 13 10:30 - 11 a.m.
Reflections
Caille library has several great program offerings which include three consistent weekly storytimes. I appreciate that they show focus on the Wee Read and Play skills. There is also a very educational approach even to the description of these programs for parents. It is clear that these programs are as much for them as they are for children. When looking at statistics for their storytimes throughout the spring attendance numbers ranged from 10 - 20 for most programs. This past week their preschool storytime had over 35 children, which is their largest storytime ever. Staff expect summer to continue to show increased trends.
In most of their early learning programs there is one staff member leading a storytime or activity. Volunteers are not able to run programs, but they do assist with shelving, which frees up staff time to do program planning. It is unfortunate that there is no lapsit storytime. It does not appear that there is any programming made for anyone under the age of 2 years. I think this is a missed opportunity. After speaking with staff they mentioned that numbers for that type of programming had been down and with minimal staff it was removed from their services. Increased staff and staff interest may eventually bring this programming back.
I also appreciate that there is Crafternoon Storytime. This sounds like a fun laid back activity that gets the entire family involved. The Preschool for Parents is a wonderful opportunity for parents to learn how to best interact and educate their children in these early learning years. Overall there are some quality programs, but I think new ideas that are outside the traditional approach are needed at this location.