My friend, Patty, has encouraged me to start a blog on all the local events/programs that I know about and participate in with my son. Although being a homemaker involves a big portion of my time at home with my son and husband, there is always time for enjoying the wonderful educational and family building events that our area provides. Our area provides many exceptional free programs. We are grateful for the many resources and programs. This area is a great place to raise a family. Please read on and find something your family will enjoy doing together.
Anyone who knows me knows that I really like reading. My Mother passed on her joy of reading to me. As a child, I would devour book after book. My Mom said I read at 4 and I never stopped reading Many times my Dad would ask "Where is Melinda?" and my Mom would reply "She is upstairs reading.". My son, Nehemiah also loves reading. Many times, I pick out five books for bedtime reading and Nehemiah picks out about fifteen more. We read in the morning, at meals or after meals, at snuggle time, nap time, bed time and throughout the day.
My son and I find many activities we can do once we read a book. Sometimes, we get the playdough out and make figures to go with the ones in the story we just read. Other times, we make paper puppets to put on a puppet show. I have also heard of story rocks and occassionally we try to paint a scene on a rock from our story. We take chalk (inside on chalk board and outside on sidewalk) and draw scenes from a book. We sometimes do experiments from a Curious George book. We paint and draw pictures of what we heard. We ask questions and make up our own stories based on stories we read. Once after reading Moses and the buring bush, we blew paint with a straw to make it look like a bush on fire. We make gingerbread cookies after we read Gingerbread Baby or Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett. We have mittens we put on when we read the Mitten by Jan Brett. We act and sing songs based on our books. These are just some of the ideas we came up with but the options are endless. Using legos or blocks to build roads, scenes or animals from a book is another option. We also cook recipes based on certain books we read. (Hopefully in the future, I will list the books and provide the craft/activity we do. I also hope to provide a reading list.)
The reason, I am writing about reading is that our Tri-Cities area is great at promoting literacy with our little ones. I would like to share some of the reading programs we are involved in as a family. Each of our libraries offers something unique (read below under libraries to find out more). The List of Reading Programs below is just a quick inventory but as you continue to read the blog, you will find more information on each program and links for calendars, tally sheets and other information.
List of Reading Programs in the Binghamton, New York Area:
1. Cuddle Up and Read Program - January 15, 2012 to March 31, 2012. Read 100 or more books and your child will be entered to win prizes. All show up at the Broome County Public Library on March 31, 2012 for a room full of hands on activities to participate with your child. Go to this link http://www.uwbroome.org/ for a tally sheet or pick one up at the Broome County Public Library. We attended this last year and Nehemiah enjoyed all the sensory and educational activities. (This program occurs once a year)
2. BOOKS Reading Program - earn prizes and gift certificates just by reading to your child.
http://www.booksprogram.com/events.asp (This program occurs throughout the year. Visit the website for the form or to sign up).
3. LETS READ - a new community initiative as part of the Day of Caring. Sponsors have started a lending library where you pick up a Lets Read Blue bag and can sign out books at places such as Discovery Center, Mall (outside of JC Penny) and other locations throughout Binghamton. You can return the books to any site.
4. Library Summer Reading Programs - starts usually around first week of July and ends second week in August. Each member of the family earns a free book and a ticket to a METS game. (This program is once a year in the Summer).
5. Discovery Center - Tunes and Tales every Tuesday at 11 am.m. They also have a book program each around around November. In the summer, the outside story garden is loaded with books in each nook and cranny from mailboxes to houses and caves. Find a great place and read to your child.
6. Family Reading Partnership of Owego-Apalachin 1st Annual Kids' Book Fest took place on November 19, 2011. Special guest included authors Suzanne Bloom, Katrina Morse and musician Johnny Only. The zoomobile was present. Children were able to participate in hands on activities from 10:00 to 4:00 such as finger painting, sponge painting, making homemake books, origami, puppets to go with certain books,puzzles, games, play with Melissa and Doug educational toys. Children were given many free coloring books, educational sheets, apples and much more. (I hope this program will occur next year).
lollowm@binghamtonschools.org to request a Reading Challenge Tally Sheet to track the number of books read, or get one online at
http://www.uwbroome.org/.http://www.booksprogram.com/events.asp
One of the greatest parts of our library system is that Books may be returned to ANY Four County Library System Librar which includes: Broome County Public Library (Binghamton), Deposit, Endicott, Fenton, Johnson City, Lisle, Nineveh, Vestal, Whitney Point. We do this often as a family as we travel to different programs at different libraries.
Get out a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle with your family and enjoy passing on the joy of reading.
7. The Broome County Public Library has Lapsit Story time, Preschool Story time, and Family Story time. Nehemiah always enjoyed dancing to the songs and listening to the stories. A new program started which includes craft time on Third Thursday of the month.
8. Vestal Library has a Lapsit story time and craft and a preschool story time and craft. This requires registration.
9. George F. Johnson Library has a toddler story time that includes stories, songs and crafts. The preschool story time includes stories, songs and puppets. They also have a special Mother Goose time from children age birth to two that is only twenty minutes long followed by juice/cookies and social time.
10. Finch Hollow Nature Center has programs for a $1 a person. Many of their programs involve a book, craft and fun activities. On March 8, 2012 there will be Jan Brett stories and a craft.
10. Finch Hollow Nature Center has programs for a $1 a person. Many of their programs involve a book, craft and fun activities. On March 8, 2012 there will be Jan Brett stories and a craft.
CUDDLE UP AND READ PROGRAM
The "Cuddle Up and Read" program started January 15, 2012. You can go to the link in the below article to obtain the tally sheet. The Broome County Library also has sheets in their childrens' section. I encourage you to participate and enjoy these snuggle times with your children. Books promote creativity, imagination, and critical thinking skills in addition to learning to read at a young age.
The “Cuddle Up and Read” Early Learning Reading Challenge encourages parents and caregivers to read with their children daily. It is sponsored by Building Brighter Futures for Broome, a coalition of over 30 early childhood providers that promotes healthy children, effective parenting, and quality child care and education
http://www.uwbroome.org/.http://www.booksprogram.com/events.asp
A Challenge Celebration for the “Cuddle Up and Read” program will be held on Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Broome County Library, 185 Court Street, in Binghamton. Participants in the program through age 5 who have read 100 or more books will be entered into drawings for prizes related to reading and literacy. There will also be “hands-on” activities for young children.
Contact Mary Ellen Lollie at 762-8197 or
For children to become strong readers, they need a literacy-rich environment which includes parents and caregivers who surround them at early age with books and read to them daily. This sets the stage for school readiness and successful future learning.
For children to become strong readers, they need a literacy-rich environment which includes parents and caregivers who surround them at early age with books and read to them daily. This sets the stage for school readiness and successful future learning.
FREE PROGRAMS AT OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES
When I was growing up, the nearest library was 2 towns away. It was a very small library. I don't think they had any free programs either. I was grateful for it but we sure are blessed in this Tri-Cities area to have four libraries. In addition to these four main libraries, there are many other areas in our surrounding towns.
Broome County Public Library
My sons' favorite parts of this library are friendly staff, many puzzles, computers with many educational games, the penny machine, and play mats and blocks. There are also many nooks you can just sit and have snuggle time with your child. They just started a new craft program on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Check out the link above to read about the following programs or to see updates:
Lapsit Story Time - Nursery rhymes and knee-bouncing songs are done and a story is read. Then it's play time! This provides a chance for children and caregivers to connect with one another. For children ages 0 to 3. Check the Library Calendar for dates.
Family Story Time - Bring the the whole family to enjoy this evening story time! For children ages birth through 6 years old. Check the Library Calendar for dates.
Preschool Story Time - Come enjoy some fun stories and songs! For children ages 4 to 6. Check the Library Calendar for dates.
BARK-9 - The "Books and Reading Canine" program helps to improve children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method--reading to a dog. BARK-9 uses
Here is the January Broome County Library Calandar: http://www.gobroomecounty.com/deptcalendar/library
There is also a Summer Reading Program that starts around the first week of July every summer. This last year's theme was One World, Many Stories. We have participated as a family in this program since my son was born (three years in all). This program consists of:
1) Fun family events each week like zoo mobile, wacky chad, bubble extraordinare man, steel drum bands, bugs/stories/songs.
2) Reading books
3) Activities to learn and do with your children
In addition to all of the above fun for the Summer Reading Program, you earn free tickets for every member of your family to a METS baseball game. Each member of your family also chooses a book from their collection to keep. Our children can also earn prizes for certain activities.
Vestal
Preschool Story Time and Craft Program:
* Children must be born before January 24, 2009.
* Story times begin January 24, 2012 and end March 16, 2012.
* Each child registered must have a parent with a 4CLS library card.
* There will be no story time if the Vestal Schools are closed due to inclement weather.
* Adults are not permitted to attend story time sessions.
* Choose One Session:
* Tuesdays at 10:30 am.
* Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
* Fridays at 1:30 pm.
Lapsit Story Time and Craft Program: Fridays from 10:30-11:00 am.
* Children ages 2 are eligible.
* Story times begin January 27, 2012 and end March 16, 2012.
* Each child registered must have a parent with a 4CLS library card.
* There will be no story time if the Vestal Schools are closed due to inclement weather.
* Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
You can visit the above link to see activities at the Vestal Library. They have a nice craft/storytime program. My son loves the big bed like platform loaded with stuff animals. We sit or lie down on the platform and read book after book. Sometimes, we just sit and look at all the stuffed animals. This library is quiet and very conducive to one on one snuggle time with your child.
The Vestal Library is unique in that it has play bags loaded with educational toys you can sign out and take home to enjoy.
George F. Johnson
Toddler Story Time: Mondays @ 9:30am, 10:30am & 11:30am (1/16-3/12)Children 2 to 3 1/2 years of age and their caregivers are invited to join us for programs that will include stories, songs, and crafts. Registration is required. Call or visit the library on or after Tuesday, January 3 to register.
Preschool Story Time:Tuesdays @ 10:30am & 1:00 pm (1/17-3/13)
Children 3 1/2 to 5 years of age and their caregivers are invited to join us for programs that will include stories, songs and puppets. Registration is required. Call or visit the library on or after Tuesday, January 3rd to register.
Children 3 1/2 to 5 years of age and their caregivers are invited to join us for programs that will include stories, songs and puppets. Registration is required. Call or visit the library on or after Tuesday, January 3rd to register.
Mother Goose Story Time: Wednesdays @ 10:00 am & 11 am
This program is from birth to two years old and their caregivers. This program includes a story, songs and finger puppets. This program only lasts for 20 minutes followed by a juice/cookie social time.
My son loves this library because they have small round tables with stamp pads and stamps on them. You can also sign out great games to play at the tables.
Your Home Public Library
This Library does not have any childrens' programs as far as I know but it is an adorable, quaint library to visit.
One of the greatest parts of our library system is that Books may be returned to ANY Four County Library System Librar which includes: Broome County Public Library (Binghamton), Deposit, Endicott, Fenton, Johnson City, Lisle, Nineveh, Vestal, Whitney Point. We do this often as a family as we travel to different programs at different libraries.
Get out a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle with your family and enjoy passing on the joy of reading.
BOOKS Reading Program
Earn great pirizes just by reading to your children.
