Movie Magic will continue this new year, on Thursdays at 10 a.m.  Ages 3 and up and a parent or caregiver are welcome to watch beloved picture books come alive on the big screen.  Just drop-in!

January 7

Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

January 14

Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin

The Foolish Frog by Pete Seeger

January 21

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

January 28

Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

Miss Claire will be excited to see you at the Darien Activities Senior Center on

Wednesday, December 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Ages 3 to 5 with a parent, caregiver, or grandparent.

Librarians and Grandparents will host this new monthly storytime.

Books, some songs, but with a twist...it's at the Senior Center on 30 Edgerton Street.  Just drop-in!

Did you know that literacy skills develop in the first five years of your child's life? Our storytimes are classes designed and conducted to teach you how you can make literacy readiness a part of your everyday life!  Based on the feedback you gave us, our winter storytimes series will be broken up into two six-week sessions:

Winter 1 

 Register:  Monday, January 11 – Monday, January 25

Session:  Monday, February 1 – Friday, March 12

 Winter 2

Register:  Monday, March 1 – Monday, March 15

Session:  Monday, March 22 – Friday, April 30

Storytime brochures are available in the library.

Important Enrollment Information -

• Registration is a lottery and participants will be contacted by Saturday January 30th, 2010 for Winter Session 1 placement.
• Registered Storytimes are for children whose parents are Darien residents, employed in Darien full-time, or contributors to the Darien Library Annual Campaign at the $300 level.

Storytimes are for babies, toddlers and children up to age 6. The library offers a variety of other programs for children up to age 12.  

These programs are developmentally appropriate for the stated ages, though we offer a two week grace period for children on the cusp. Parents and caregivers can register infants and 1-year-olds based on their ability to walk. For two-year-olds and up, please register children based on their age at the start of the storytime session.

We've been in the NEW Library for almost a year!  What has your program experience been for children in their first five years?

Here's a small survey to determine what days and times are preferable, and other questions to help us tweak and improve.

Thank you so, so much!

Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m.  Just drop-in!

Ages 3 and up and caregiver

Join us in welcoming the Darien Nature Center and some of their animal friends to the Darien Library.

picutres by flickr users peppergrasss and susteph

Now that we're moved in, and you've attended some children's programs...what do you think? 

Which programs would you like to continue?

In the new Library, what has your program experience been for children in their First Five Years?

In our First Five (F5) collection, a great section to look for books for your babies in is the Rhymes & Songs glade (dark blue labels).

Before babies can understand our spoken words, nursery rhymes help demonstrate the rhythms, patterns and sounds of our speech to them.  By sharing nursery rhymes with your baby, you will be helping them build pre-literacy skills.  As they grow, learning the rhymes themselves will help them expand their vocabuary, learn number skills and give them confidence to express themselves through speech.

Another benefit to using nursery rhymes are that the books and stanzas are short so you can share them in bits and pieces. That will come especially in handy when your baby becomes a toddler and can't sit still for very long! 

Some of my favorites from this section are:

	If You're Happy and You Know It by Jane Cabrera
	Knock At The Door And Other Baby Action Rhymes by Kay Chorao
	Here Comes Mother Goose by Iona Archibald Opie
	Tomie DePaola's Mother Goose by Tomi DePaola

Babies learn through their senses. Ever wonder how a baby can be so fascinated with an object? They are exploring the texture, color, shape and even taste of the things they come in contact with.  Just like with words (the more you expose them to, the more they absorb) play is an essential part of your child's development. They don't just learn about the objects however. They are learning important concepts like cause and effect; when they touch the rattle, it makes a noise.  And boy do they like to move!  Just watch this short video of a baby at play (note: the adults were edited out of the video for streamlined baby adorableness).

Interested in learning more?  Talk to a Librarian and check out some of the great books we have in our Parents Section (F5 Parents) in the Children's Library:

	Baby Steps: A Guide to Your Child's Social, Physical, Mental and emotional Development in the First Two Years by Claire Kopp
	Baby Minds: Brain Building Games Your Baby Will Love by Linda Acredolo, PhD and Susan Goodwyn, PhD
	Games to Play with Babies by Jackie Silberg
	125 Brain Games for Babies: Simple Games to Promote Early Brain Development by Jackie Silberg

Have fun playing with your baby!

photo courtesy of Flickr user Inferis

Parents know the magic that a simple coloring book and a pack of crayons can work on a screaming toddler.  But did you know that those random-looking scribbles are an important developmental step along your child's path to reading and writing?  As early as 15 months, children enter the first of what's called the 5 Stages of Scribbling.

Here's the basic breakdown (and please note: every child grows and develops at their own pace.  Ages ranges are general approximations only.)

STAGE 1: RANDOM SCRIBBLING (15 months to 2 1/2 years)

At this early age, children are delighted to figure out how to hold a crayon (those extra jumbo crayons are super handy).  Babies and toddlers will usually hold the crayons in a tight fist and use large motions from their shoulders to produce scribbles.  During this stage, they make the exciting discovery that the object in their hand is producing lines on the paper (and hopefully, not the walls). 

Babies are most interested in the sensory nature of art at this point; the texture of the crayon, it's unique smell.  This is also a great time to introduce young toddlers to clay, play-dough, or finger paint.  [check out this recipe for homemade, non-toxic play-dough]  The different sensations produced by using each medium stimulates their senses and engages their developing minds. 

Helpful Hint: It might help to tape down a large piece of paper for babies and toddlers.  This will prevent the paper from moving or tearing as they draw.

STAGE 2: CONTROLLED SCRIBLLING (2 years to 3 years)

During this stage, children will often transition to holding the crayon between their thumb and pointer finger.  Their scribbles may show more repeated marks or patterns- such as spirals, open circles, curved lines, and straight lines.  As their muscle control develops, toddlers will enjoy experimenting with using a paintbrush, or working with model clay. 

Helpful Hint: Use regular household objects to create art- like using Q-Tips, cotton balls, or old wine corks as applicators.  Use chalk on a sidewalk, or washable paints in the bathtub.

STAGE 3:  LINES AND PATTERNS (2 1/2 years to 3 1/2 years)

At this stage, children begin to understand that writing consists of special lines and curves that repeat in certain patterns.  Very often, children will pretend to write.  While their scribbling may not have any actual letters, you may see some early components that make up the alphabet- such as "S"-like curves, small circles, and sharp lines. 

What is so magical about this stage is that toddlers are beginning to understand that those scribbles can convey meaning!  That when Mommy or Daddy is scribbling, it is a list of what food to buy at the grocery store.  This understanding is a big step on their way towards writing and reading on their own. 

Helpful Hint: Encourage your child's "pretend" writing- and take it seriously!  Ask them to "read" what they've written.  This will teach them the importance and value of words. 

STAGE 4:  PICTURES OF OBJECTS OR PEOPLE (3 years to 5 years)

At some point, your child may hand you a page of scribbles and declare, "It's Grandma!"  At the beginning of this stage, children will often produce unplanned artwork and decide what it is after they are finished. 

Eventually, you may notice your child thinking about what she will draw before committing crayon to paper.  This is an important developmental milestone.  She is now engaged in symbolic thinking!  She understands that her artwork can symbolize objects, people, or events. 

Not long after, children will begin to understand the difference between pictures and writing.  This is particularly important as they get ready to enter preschool and begin to work on letter awareness. 

Helpful Hint: As your child begins to draw pictures, use open, non-judgemental questions to discuss the final product, such as: "Can you tell me about your picture?"  Encourage your child to tell you the "story" of the picture(s).  This story-telling is also an important skill for literacy!

STAGE 5:  LETTER AND WORD PRACTICE (3 to 5 years)

By this stage, children may begin writing "real" letters on their own.  Children usually begin with letters that are familiar to them- such as the first letter of their name.  Children also begin to understand that letters fit together in special ways to make words.  While they may not be able to write words on their own, they do understand that some words are short and some are long.  This may be reflected in their "pretend" writing.  One day, all this pretend practice will morph into the understanding and production of real letters and words!

Helpful Hint:  It's okay that their letters are not technically correct.  It's the process, not the product, that matters.

For more information about the 5 Stages of Scribbling, check out zerotothree.org.

And for more art project ideas for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, check out our collection of Little Hands books.

We'd love to see you in your halloween costume this week!  We'll have stickers and treats (no tricks!)  Here's a little tune to march to on your trick-or-treat route...

Halloween is Here and Now!

(Sing to "farmer in the dell." March and jump as you please!)

Halloween is here and now, Halloween is here and now, We'll all have lots of fun, Oh Halloween is here and now

We'll all give a cheer, wow! We'll all give a cheer, wow! We'll all have lots of fun, Oh Halloween is here and now