Archive for the ‘parenting’ Category
BABIES…BABIES…BABIES
Posted on: February 22, 2011
- In: authors | baby | books | child development | early literacy | emergent literacy | kids events | Literacy | newborn | parenting | read alouds | reading | storytime | Uncategorized | west palm beach public library
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Reading books to babies just sounds like a crazy idea, doesn’t it?
Think again!
Some mothers-to-be even read to their baby before it’s even born! If that sounds silly to you, think again. There are many reasons to read to a baby. For one thing, hearing words helps to build a big network of words in a baby’s brain. By reading to a baby, we can increase their language as they grow and develop.
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When we hold a baby close to us and read, it creates a special bond between the baby and the adult. Not only does he learn the sound of words and see new pictures of the world, he becomes a good listener in the process. It’s especially nice if you read some stories to your baby before bedtime. It’s a very calming experience once they get used to the idea. It also helps create a routine, which is so important when it’s time to get the baby to bed and to sleep for the night.
Babies watch everything we do. When you read to a baby, he watches you turn the pages. It’s a basic concept that he is learning about a book. Then he’s old enough, he can begin to turn the pages as you read. You will also catch him playing with a book and turning the pages as he pretends to read.
Babies learn by touching, too. Babies like to teethe on books to find out what they’re all about. Cloth and vinyl books are great for babies. Vinyl ones can even go in the bathtub. Who says you have to sit in a chair to read a book?
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There are wonderful board books at our library for you to enjoy with your baby. We even have Bumbo seats to hold up the babies that can’t sit up by themselves yet.
Babies are not born loving books. It’s something we teach them. Bring your baby to the library for a new experience. Sit in a Bumbo seat and read a board book together.
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Visit a baby storytime on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. You’ll experience singing, dancing, books, and lots of movement. It’s fun for babies and you! Call 868-7703 to reserve a spot for you and your baby today.
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Judy
Nature’s Playground
Posted on: February 3, 2011
- In: authors | books | educational | events | family_fun | kids events | organic | parenting | reading | tv_turnoff | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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Since I moved into a house with a yard, on the weekends I find myself puttering about outdoors. When we first moved in May, we pulled out about 150 non-native plants. After a bit of research and multiple visits to the Mounts Botanical Gardens, we put in a few native vines and trees.
I have taken an interest in hydroponic gardening, too. To date, we have built two hydroponic systems that hold about 50 plants total! I am growing various red and green leaf lettuces, tomatoes and of course collard greens and kale.
“Hydroponics.” World Book Online Reference Center. World Book, 2011. Web. 3 Feb. 2011.
Needless to say, I love being outside. In South Florida we can spend almost 365 days outside, how wonderful is that? We are surrounded by a wondrous expanse of land filled with adventures. Here are some places on my outside adventure list:
1.) Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
On Saturday, February 12 from 8am-4pm, the Refuge will be celebrating their 12th Annual Everglades Day with Foreverglades: A day celebrating and promoting awareness, appreciation, and
an understanding of the Everglades.
2.) Girls u Pick Strawberry Fields
I have soft spot for others trying hydroponics and I love strawberries. Pay attention to the plants at the top of the hydroponic systems, they plant various herbs. Grab a basket and scissors and you are ready to go.
3.) Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami-Dade
Years ago, when I lived in Tampa, I drove to the Ringling Museum once of month. Vizcaya reminds me of the Ringling and I enjoy walking around the gardens of both.
The Mounts Botanical Gardens is beautiful to stroll through. I just love checking out their vegetable garden. The vegetable garden would be great places to have the kids’ guess the plant and what vegetable will it produce. If you are interested in starting a garden with kids, check out the library’s books on gardening with children.
If you are having a hard time getting the kids away from their video games, check out the book by Fiona Banks, Nature’s playground : activities, crafts, and games to encourage children to get outdoors
What are some of your favorite outdoor places? Comment on our blog!
Happy New Year!
Posted on: January 5, 2011
Happy New Year!
There’s always something exciting about this time of year! It’s more than a slight chill in the air; the sense of possibilities for the upcoming year is palpable. It’s a great time to think about all the ways we want to grow this year. Here are a few of my resolutions for the upcoming year:
1. Learn about the world
My husband and I just took our honeymoon and rang in the New Year in France, but it’s easy to travel the world from the comfort of West Palm Beach. We loved looking through the book This is Paris by M. Sasek before we left!
2. Learn to Crochet
I’ve wanted to learn to knit or crochet for years, and this year I’m taking lessons at a local knitting shop! The library has lots of books full of super cute things I can make once I the hang of this! I love these flowers:
Do you want to learn how to knit? Stop by KidSpace every Wednesday between 3 and 4:30 for the knitting club!
3. Practice cooking and share what I know:
I get a kick out of Julia Child. This year I want to learn more about the ins and outs of why cooking works. There are even rumblings of a series of kids cooking classes here in KidSpace…stay tuned! In the meantime, check out these super fun books that inspire me to make new things:
and Cake Pops
Who else has New Years resolutions they’d like to share? We’d love to hear them here!
See you soon!
Ms. Kathy
- In: art | authors | books | book_awards | Literacy | parenting | preschool | read alouds | toddler | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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The New York Times Book Review has posted 10 picture book selections that a panel of judges selected as the best of 2010.
Check out the link, and check them out from us!
http://www.nytimes.com/gift-guide/holiday-2010/best-illustrated-childrens-books-2010/list.html
Here comes the garbage barge / written by Jonah Winter ; illustrated by Red Nose Studio.
Children make terrible pets / Peter Brown.
Seasons / Blexbolex ; [translated by Claudia Bedrick].
Big red lollipop / by Rukhsana Khan ; illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
Henry in love / Peter McCarty.
A sick day for Amos McGee / written by Philip C. Stead ; illustrated by Erin E. Stead.
Kids Compost!
Posted on: November 4, 2010
Did you miss out on our composting program Wednesday night?
Never fear, here are few links to get started with your family.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/kidscompost/compostingforkids.pdf
http://www.ehow.com/how_5741753_make-composting-fun-easy-kids.html
http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/episode4/kitchen-composting.html
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And remember to stop by on Saturday for a screening of the exciting new documentary, 2010: Year of the Everglades, which follows 11 brave canoeists as they follow the flow from Lake Okeechobee to West Palm Beach. Featuring a Q&A Panel Discussion with the Paddlers.
- In: authors | books | early literacy | educational | elementary | emergent literacy | environment | events | family_fun | holidays | kids events | language skills | Literacy | parenting | poems | Poetry | Poetry for children | Read Together Palm Beach County | reading | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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Happy International Literacy Day!
Although, here at the library, every day is a Literacy Day!
This Wednesday at 6pm will be our Families Reading Together event! We will have a special reading of I Love Our Earth by Bill Martin Jr. and a composting program for kids!
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In celebration of the Earth and Literacy, here are a few selections from the book, Earth Songs by Myra Cohn Livingston
Little O, small earth, spinning in space,
face covered with dizzy clouds, racing,
chasing sunlight through the Milky Way,
say your secr3ets, small earth, little O,
know where you lead, I follow. I go.
Patched together
With land and sea,
I am earth,
Great earth.
Come with me!
Tundra covers me; swamps sodden, dank,
Banked with moss, a soft, spongy morass.
Grassy bogs blanket my soaked crust here.
sere, barren plains slush through marshed found
mounded with sedge on wet, withered ground.
- In: authors | books | early literacy | elementary | emergent literacy | environment | language skills | Literacy | parenting | poems | Poetry | Poetry for children | read alouds | reading | school | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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The Sea is Our Mother
The sea is our mother
rocking,
rocking.
See how she fills
her blue arms
with gifts -
with slippery bits,
weed,
white
shells,
fish
as bright as
wisps
of moon.
Hear how her voice
lifts,
falls,
lifts
while she sings our
life.
~By Tony JohnstonFrom the Tree That Time Build: a celebration of nature, science, and imagination.
- In: books | early literacy | Literacy | parenting | poems | Poetry | Poetry for children | reading | school | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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Weclome back to school!
Teachers, parents, students, and the
West Palm Beach librarians are all gearing up for a great 2010-2011!
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The Palm Beach County School District has set up a site to answer all your questions about this school year. http://www.palmbeachschools.org/Community/PDFs/Back_to_School_2010-11.pdf
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Make sure you check out the library calendar for all of our events. Programs that are educational, just for fun, or both are happening starting in September.
space
In celebration of back to school, here are a few limericks to get you going!
From the book,
There Once Was a Very Odd School and other lunch-box limericks by Stephen Krensky
There once was a very odd school
That had only one little rule:
There was recess all day
To learn best how to play,
Which everyone thought was so cool.
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When making a class presentation,
I don’t get a standing ovation.
While I do all my talking,
My knees keep on knocking,
And after, I need a vacation.
Thomas the Train & Friends have been favorites for many years. Whether or not your kids are familiar with these characters, they will enjoy these transportation themed poems!
From Railway Rhymes original poems by R. Schuyler Hooke
Thomas
Thomas is a tank engine
Who’s small and short and blue.
He sometimes causes mischief, but
His heart is good and true.
“Engines don’t have hearts,” you say.
And that is very smart.
But Thomas’ good nature proves
He doesn’t need a heart.
For those with hearts are good and kind.
They help when times are tough-
They stick by friends and those in need
And cannot give enough.
They listen when they’re spoken to
And try to do their best.
They know there’s time to work real hard
And time to play and rest.
So Thomas doesn’t have a heart,
But he is all of these-
Good, hard-working, smart, and kind.
He always aims to please.
And on his Branch Line, back and forth,
He’s loyal to the end.
And with his boiler he is still
A Really Useful Friend.
Start the Week with Words: Food!
Posted on: August 2, 2010
- In: blogs | books | child development | cooking | early literacy | family_fun | language skills | Literacy | parenting | poems | Poetry | Poetry for children | read alouds | reading | Uncategorized | west palm beach | west palm beach public library
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Poetry can be found anywhere. Even in the kitchen! Share these ‘mealtime rhymes’ with your kids and encourage them to make up their own rhymes about everyday things.
Mix a Pancake
Mix a pancake,
Stir a pancake,
Pop it in the pan;
Fry the pancake,
Toss the pancake-
Catch it if you can.
By Christina Rosettispace
Send My Spinach
Send my spinach
Off to Spain.
Parcel post it
On a train.
Mail it,
Sail it
On a ship.
Just don’t let it
Touch my lip.
By Douglas Florianspace
Find these rhymes and more in Hot Potato: mealtime rhymes. Selected by Neil Philip.
