New Children's Music & More

We've been able to add a few new CDs to our children's music collection recently and I grabbed some to listen to in the car. Two of my favorites were Rockin' the Uke by Cathy Fink and Marcy Maxer and Live in Lexington: Under the Copper Beech by Ben Rudnick & Friends. Rockin' the Uke had a really nice, bouncy, happy sound to it that had me smiling and humming along. Listening was just delightful! And Live in Lexington had a nice country/rock flavor to it that I think people will really like.

We have a Christmas storytime and craft coming up at 11 a.m. on December 22 for kids ages 3+. We will make Santa beards, Christmas cards, and hear Christmas stories. Please sign up in advance, as space is limited!

Also, I've started putting together weekly tips for getting kids ready to read in the toddler & preschool years for the parents in my weekly Baby & Toddler Lap Time (Tuesdays at 9:30! Lots of fun!). I thought I'd share them here on the blog with you, too. Here's the first one:

The American Library Association suggests five things parents and caregivers can do with children to get them ready to read: talking, singing, playing, reading, and writing. These activities will help kids start learning about books and reading before they start school. In upcoming weeks I will give you more information about these five activities.

Children learn best when they are calm, relaxed, and happy. Loving physical contact (hugs, kisses, being held in your lap) makes the brain release serotonin, which is a chemical that helps learning and memory formation. You know your child best, so you can pick the best times to read and work on these pre-literacy skills. If your child isn’t responding or is fussy, it’s best to put a book or activity aside and look at it again later.