Regularly held storytimes are back at Clallam County public libraries.
The free storytimes at the libraries overseen by the North Olympic Library System introduce children to reading and provide parents and caregivers with ideas on ways to help bolster early literacy development, program organizers said.
Weekly storytimes are at Sequim and Port Angeles libraries through May, and the Forks Library through June. There is a break in all storytimes for the winter holiday season at the end of December and the beginning of January.
For more information about storytimes and other programs for youth, call 360-417-8500, email youth@nols.org or visit www.nols.org.
The schedule is as follows:
• Baby Storytime, for ages zero to 24 months; Fridays at 11:15 a.m., last Friday through May 15 (no storytime Nov. 29) at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
Reading, singing and talking with infants and toddlers introduces new vocabulary, gives children a sense of security and helps them develop a reading habit, organizers said.
Baby Storytime features songs, rhymes, movement and books for babies up to 24 months old and their caregivers. After each session, parents and caregivers are welcome to linger, visit and connect.
• Wiggly Storytime, for ages 1-3 years; Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave. Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., last Thursday through May 14 (except Oct. 10, Nov. 28); Port Angeles Library, Fridays at 10:15 a.m., last Friday through May 15 (except Nov. 29).
Wiggly Storytime highlights early literacy practices through an interactive storytime full of movement, songs and books. Each storytime is planned with the dynamic nature of toddlers and waddlers in mind.
• Preschool Storytime, for ages 3-6 years; Sequim Library, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., last Wednesday through May 13; Port Angeles Library, Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., last Tuesday through May 12.
Participants talk, sing, read, write and play together in an interactive storytime specially designed for preschoolers. Preschool Storytime is designed to help caregivers and parents develop tools to help the children in their lives build early literacy skills and to better prepare for kindergarten.
• Family Storytime, for the whole family, Fridays at 10:30 a.m., last Friday through June 12 at the Forks Library, 171 Forks Ave.
Activities such as talking, reading, playing and singing play important roles in early childhood development, organizers said.
After each session, parents and caregivers will have an opportunity to visit and swap information about parenting resources in the community.
• Evening Storytime, for the whole family, Tuesdays at 6 p.m., today through June 9 at the Forks Library.
This is a chance for busy families to unwind together. It features stories, songs and movement activities that support early literacy skills and help foster a love of books and reading.
• Cuentos y Canciones, for the whole family Saturdays at 1 p.m., this past Saturday through June 13 (except Nov. 30) at the Forks Library.
This is an opportunity for Spanish-speaking families to share stories, songs and craft activities that help develop language and reading skills.
