Do you go to your local library or attend information sessions? Going to story hour at the library was a major event when I was growing up and raising my daughter. I don’t hear much about story hour at the library from parents anymore. Did you know that there
I have wonderful memories of spending time at the library during the summer when I was growing up. We spent time having stories read to us, checking out books, and becoming responsible by returning them on time. We have moved into a technological world, and it seems that most books are downloaded these days. As a result, taking kids to the library has become a lost art.
I must admit I like the convenience of being able to download books in the comfort of my home, but also like knowing that the children and I are still picking up a good old fashion book at times. I started a home library for both Xavier and Zarriah.
We added shelves in Zarriah’s room to house her books and Xavier has a book case. Zarriah loves for me to read to her. I think all children should experience visiting a library. Knowledge is power, and we must empower our children.
I have decided to have the children attend a few activities at our local library. I have subscribed to our library’s newsletter so I can keep up with activities that will be offered this summer. Our local library offers activities during the day and evenings. I’m thinking this will be a constructive and educational means of occupying some of their time rather than play video games. A few other benefits of visiting the library:
- Teaches consideration for others – Children will learn to keep their voices down.
- Provides an opportunity to see others reading – Children need examples, seeing others read will encourage them to read as well.
- Story Hour provides an opportunity for group interaction – Children will learn to sit in a group and participate in a group activity.
- Teaches listening skills – Listening to the person who is reading will enhance your child’s listening skills.
- Enhances social skills – Becoming involved in activities at the library will help children learn or enhance skills. Participating in story hour provides an opportunity to meet other children that they may not encounter in their neighborhood or school.
One program in particular caught my eye, science. They plan to hatch eggs, perform experiments and have the children build structures. I have also found events that will be beneficial to me. For example, I will be attending a session on Traveling Abroad On A Budget. I hope to start traveling internationally within the next year.
Make a trip to the library and get your children involved in their activities.
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We are avid user of our Public Library. We have our weekly visit on Wednesday. And we also attend may programs at the library during the year and the summer. During there year there are programs specifically geared toward homeschool families. They have had science themes, crafts, etc.. In the Summer months that when they bring the Zoo Mobile, Fire Department, and GA Tech Biobus. As a large family and a homeschooling family we appreciate the free programs that are offered by our local library. We also support the library book sales cause a lot of times that is how that particular branch gets the funding to put on the programs. The state only gives them so much to go on. The rest is up to the Friends of the Library group which is a Library Patron ran group. They organize all sorts of stuff. We also used the library for meeting space for our COOP one year. It was free for patrons. My current county charges a fee though.