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Infant & toddler program joins children's storytimes

By Debbie Gardner

PRIME Editor



HAMPDEN According to Christina Fairman, youth services librarian for The Hampden Free Public Library, February will be a fun time at the library for children of all ages.

"We will have our regular storytime for children ages three through eight, but I'm also starting up a new infant and toddler program [for ages newborn through age three]," Fairman told Reminder Publications.



New infant & toddler program

Fairman said she offered several infant and toddler sessions in the summer and recently received request that she bring the special storytimes back

The free 20-minute program, which will meet Wednesdays at 11 a.m. beginning Feb. 13, will introduce very young children to sights and the sounds of words though the use of board books, pictures, puppets and songs.

"When I say newborns, some parents are surprised," Fairman said. "But you can never start too early to [introduce] colors, shapes and sounds . It's never too early to bring them in."

Fairman said she has received training through the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (C/WMARS) in a program called "Every Child Ready to Read," which illustrates how to introduce reading skills from birth.

"I do incorporate those skills into our reading times," she said, adding that she has C/WMARS-roduced handouts on these skills that she shares with parents from time to time.

And though she is asking for registrations for this first session, Fairman said parents do not need to feel they must attend these storytimes every week.

"People can drop in . you can come whenever you are available," she said.

She also said parents and infants need not be residents of Hampden to attend these special storytimes.



Hearts and Polar Bears, oh my!

Fairmont said the Library's regular, every-other-Thursday storytimes for children ages three through eight will also continue in February with two special story-and-craft presentations.

"The kids love it and the parents love it because it's an opportunity for them to get together with other parents and connect," she said.

On Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m., she said the Library will offer a special Valentine's Day stories and crafts program to celebrate the magic of Valentine's Day. During the free 45-minute program, children will listen to Fairman read "No More Kissing" by Emma Chichester Clark, "I Love You So Much" by Carl Norac and "Never Too Little to Love" by Jeanne Willis. Everyone will then be invited to make a simple craft to show their friends and family how much they love them.

At the next storytime on Feb. 28, again at 3:30 p.m., the Library will celebrate Polar Bear Day. Fairmont will read "Ice Cream Larry" by Daniel Pinkwater and "Polar Star" by Sally Grindley. Then everyone will be invited to make a simple polar bear craft to take home to show everyone the beauty of these amazing animals. This free program will also run approximately 45 minutes.

Registration is requested for all programs at the Hampden Free Public Library, but drop-ins are always welcome. Call 566-3047 to reserve a place for your child.

For more information on these programs, call 566-3047, or go to www.hampden-library.org.