Are you a new parent with a newborn baby and not sure what to do with the child when they’re not crying or sleeping? The Children’s department at the New Westminster Public Library can help you entertain your child and help develop early literacy skills for your newborn.
Babies under one year of age are sponges for learning. They listen to everything you say and it’s important for them to hear different words, songs and rhymes to help develop their language skills.
Babytime will return to the library’s main branch from July 8 through Aug. 19, on Friday mornings from 10:30 to 11 a.m. This is a special storytime for children aged 0 to 23 months that includes songs, stories and rhymes and it’s also a chance for parents to learn how to interact with their little ones.
Parents with newborns can also take advantage of the library’s newborn baby kits. Each kit has a music CD, a board book and some literature to guide parents of new babies in sharing books with their infants and toddlers. Stop by and ask about one!
Babies also need touch and movement. They need an opportunity to play with their fingers, move their arms and legs, and cuddle. Our children’s librarians can help you choose the right book or CD for your baby, even your newborns. Look for books or songs that encourage any interaction between the parent or caregiver and the baby, such as cuddling or pointing to body parts.
The book Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox is a great read for babies; it has rhymes, different ethnicities, repetition and an opportunity for parents to play with their own babies and their little fingers and toes.
If you’re just home from the hospital and wondering what to do with your little bundle of joy, visit the New Westminster Public Library, and let us help you become your child’s first teacher and entertainer.
