Have you heard of Storytime at the library? If you haven’t- this is your sign to check it out!
Every week there are tons of options at all of the St. Clair County Library System branches to check out. The storytime hours for the Main Library in Port Huron are every Wednesday and Friday morning from 10:00-11:30, but other branches offer their own times! Check out the BlueWaterParent.com Events Calendar or the library website for more information on locations and times.
What to expect:
Even though the name is Storytime- the majority of the time is spent singing, dancing, and interacting with the librarian. Wednesdays are with Miss Jenna, and Fridays are with Miss Annabelle. Both of them are WONDERFUL and the children adore them.
There are a handful of songs that get repeated every week so the kids can pick up on the movements and words through repetition. Here is a video of the “shake” song that is played almost every week with the kids’ favorite instrument- shaky eggs.
Songs, Games, Stories
In between the songs, there are short games and stories that are told on a large felt board. “Little Mouse Little Mouse” and “Brown Bear Brown Bear” are two favorites. The children are encouraged to sit on floor cushions and participate, but there is no pressure if they aren’t quite ready for that. Blurting out, getting up to go play with toys, and jumping around are all completely accepted. They’re young kids just learning how to operate in a group setting and the teachers are all very understanding.
Story and Craft
After all the games and songs, there is a story read aloud and then a craft or activity to accompany it. This particular week the story was all about baby animals, and the craft was a puzzle activity matching up the photo with the name of the animal. If the environment is too loud or busy- the library allows you to take the craft home and complete it with your child in a quieter atmosphere. This is the craft we took home.
Play Centers
The next part is a favorite. The library staff opens the room across the hall where there are free play centers open for the kids to use. Bubbles, tunnels, sensory bins, stepping stones, puppets, painting, the list goes on! The activities change week by week but there is always guaranteed to be something your little one will enjoy.
Fun for Parents, too
Not only is Storytime a great opportunity for the children to make new friends and learn new social skills- it’s a great opportunity for parents as well! The first time I attended I did not know any of the other parents. Now- I walk in and recognize so many familiar faces! I’ve met so many wonderful friends with children the same ages as my girls. Being a stay-at-home mom can feel isolating at times, and the library has given me the chance to socialize and make new friends. A friendly smile, and a “your child is so sweet! How old are they?” goes a long way.
Check out the Playgroup Guide for a list of Storytimes and Playgroups near you.
Story, photo, and video by Alyssa Dock for BlueWaterParent.com.
