Rhymers are readers at the library

YOUNG families are invited to the Bannockburn Library for mornings of learning and connection.

Library coordinator Laura Pugliese said the early literacy sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, their parents, and carers run throughout the week, in an environment that encourages strong bonding.

“Toddler Time is broad, based around dancing, shared reading, songs and rhymes, because we know that rhymers are readers, and Preschool Story Time is about modelling behaviour for parents, and three or four year olds, preparing them for listening and sitting at school,” she said.

“Baby Time is about the parent and child engaging with one another, with songs, rhymes, and finger rhymes. Babies are learning to watch their parents’ fingers and grab things.

“Parents are their child’s first teacher, but you don’t get a guidebook when you become a parent. If you stumble, that’s okay, but seeing others model it can be a great support.”

Ms Pugliese said heading to the safe and calm library each week encourages positive life-long reading habits in early learners, and is an ideal space for new parents to gently build their own community.

“There’s a lot of new people, especially young families, moving to Bannockburn. Lots of them wouldn’t have had much interaction after having a baby, or over the last two years with the pandemic, so this is a great way for them to interact in a non-confrontational space,” she said.

“We encourage them to stay behind after the sessions, and they will often create their own social network, hang out in our garden area, or take themselves over the road for a coffee.

“Building community and reengaging young parents is also a big part of the early literacy program.”

Toddler Time runs on Tuesdays at 10.30am and Preschool Story Time runs on Thursdays at 10.30am, both during school terms. Baby Time runs on Thursdays at 11.30am throughout the year, including school holidays.