Interactive Musical Experiences Benefit Your Baby's Brain!

You may have noticed that we have lots of music programs here at the library.  In fact, this Thursday (September 26) at 3:00 p.m. we'll start a brand new one: Toddler Sing-Along!

There's a reason for this.  Infants and babies have tons of activity going on inside their brains.  They're starting from scratch and developing connections between brain cells.  They need to learn absolutely everything, from moving their own bodies to speech and communication.  Interaction with you and other people in their lives helps them make these neurological connections.

Music can be especially helpful in making these connections in baby's brains.  Studies have shown that babies who listen to music, specifically in an interactive way, end up developing their communication and social skills earlier than babies who don't participate in musical activities with a loving caregiver.  One of these studies was conducted by researchers at McMaster University in Canada.  Their findings are fascinating, and highlight how beneficial it is for you to sing, rhyme, and dance with your baby!  (*You can find out more about the study below.)

So what does this mean exactly?  It means that singing with your baby, rhyming with your baby, clapping your hands, and dancing are all wonderful for your baby's brain!  You're teaching them rhythm and musical knowledge, and it turns out those skills help with all sorts of other skills.

It also means that you should take advantage of some of the music programs we offer here at the library!  We've got tons of programs where you can practice musical interaction with your little one.  Be sure to check out:

• Story Time programs: We do these for various age groups up through preschool, and we always include lots of interactive rhymes and songs.
• Music with Ed Morgan: For ages 5 and under, the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m.
• Music with Matt Heaton: For ages 5 and under, the fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:15 a.m.
• Toddler Sing-Along: For walkers up through age 2, the fourth Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m.

You can find specific days and times in our online calendar.  We've also got lots of CDs and books that will help you learn more songs to sing with your child!  Stop in and speak with a librarian for suggestions.

See you at a music program!

*Here are a couple of places to find out more about McMaster University's 2012 study:

• McMaster University's website: http://www.mcmaster.ca/opr/html/opr/media/main/NewsReleases/Babiesbrainsbenefitfrommusiclessonsresearchersfind.htm
• Science Daily wrote a brief write-up about the study's results: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123653.htm

Take Our Makerspace Survey!

Do you want a Makerspace here in Watertown?  Do you know what a Makerspace is?

A Makerspace is a place where members of a community have the tools and space to make things!  It provides an opportunity for people to learn and practice lots of different hobbies that they don't have the room or equipment to do at home.  Makerspaces are popping up all over the country, especially in libraries.  And we are looking into the possibility of creating a Makerspace here in Watertown.

The definition above is pretty vague, but there's a reason for that.  The types of tools and materials available vary from Makerspace to Makerspace.  Some Makerspaces have 3D printers.  Some have sewing machines or tools for bike repair.  Some have audio visual equipment.  Some have woodworking tools.  The equipment provided varies based on the needs of the community.

And how do we figure out what our Makerspace would have?  That's where you come in!

We've put together a survey about what types of tools and equipment you, our community, would like to see in a possible Makerspace here in Watertown.  We're still in the information-gathering phase, so we aren't sure yet what we would end up being able to provide.  But we'd definitely like to know where your priorities lie!  So do us a big favor and take our survey to let us know what you would want!

Coming up in September...

Coming up in...

There's only one week left of Summer Vacation for most of you, and we're taking a short program break to gear up for the start of September. That means we won't be holding any of our usual story programs this week, but never fear, we'll dive back in right after Labor Day!

Make sure you check our online calendar of events to find out about all of our September programs. A few highlights include:

MONDAYS:
Preschool Story Time!
We've moved our story time for preschoolers to Mondays at 10:15 a.m.  It's geared toward ages 3-5, and we'll share stories, songs, rhymes and a craft activity! It'll start on Monday, September 9 (because the very first Monday in September is Labor Day).

TUESDAYS:
Nursery Rhyme Time
Just like we've been doing all year, we'll share rhymes, songs, fingerplays, a couple stories, and playtime with parents and babies who are not walking yet.  We do this program twice, at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Toddler Story Time
Throughout the summer, this program was opened up to all ages as Family Story Time.  But starting in September, it's back to being focused on one- and two-year-olds.  We'll do lots of singing and dancing, and we'll share wonderful, age-appropriate stories.

FRIDAYS:
On My Own Story Time
On Friday afternoons in September, four- and five-year-olds are invited to On My Own Story Time.  Kids will practice school readiness skills while sharing fun stories and activities, and they need to be comfortable separating from their caregiver.  This program does require registration, and you can register now for all four sessions (September 6, 13, 20 and 27).

And of course, many, many more!  Again, be sure to check our full calendar or stop in to pick up a calendar and find out more about what's going on for kids of all ages!  And check back here, as we'll continue to highlight programs here on the blog.

Enjoy this last bit of Summer Vacation!!

Congratulations Summer Readers!

What an excellent day! Today was the last day of Summer Reading, and we just finished our Wrap-Up Party!

First we were amazed by John and Rebecca, the Yo-Yo People! They did extraordinary yo-yo and hula hoop tricks. Above, they are using 4 yo-yos while balancing on each other!

Then, to celebrate our great success, we ate delicious cake! 

Amazing job, Watertown! 431 kids signed up for Summer Reading this year and, together, logged over 3374 hours of reading!

That means that, with all that reading, you generously donated tree saplings, honeybees, ducklings and a llama to Heifer International! You met all of our goals and read way past our grand total goal of 2500 hours. We are so proud of you, and we can't wait till next year's Summer Reading program!

Tomorrow's the Last Day of Summer Reading!

Our llamamometer is approaching the top, which means we're getting close to our goal of reading 2500 hours this summer! But we've only got one day left! So don't forget to come into the library and record your last few hours!

If we can make it to 2500 hours by tomorrow at 2:00pm, we will be able to donate a llama to Heifer International and help a family in need. You have already done an amazing job reading so far, and we've been able to donate tree saplings, honeybees, and ducklings. So keep up the good work!

Our dinosaurs are getting super packed on our program room walls! Each dinosaur symbolized one hour that a child in Watertown has spent reading.

As you can see, we've got a ton of dinosaurs!

But wait, you may say. Tomorrow's the last day? How will we find out if we've read enough to donate the llama?

Come to our Wrap-Up Party!

Tomorrow at 2:00pm, we'll have an amazing performance by the Yo-Yo People! The performance is geared towards children entering grades K-5 in the fall. John and Rebecca can do incredible tricks with yo-yos, and they even hold 3 Guinness World Records for their skills. You won't want to miss it!

Immediately following their performance, we'll begin our Wrap-Up Party, which is open for families with children of all ages. We'll find out our total reading hours and whether or not we've read enough to donate a llama. And of course, we'll celebrate our accomplishments with some delicious cake!

So be sure to come in and record your reading, and be sure to come to our Wrap-Up Party tomorrow at 2:00pm. We'll see you there!

There's Only One More Week Left in Summer Reading!

There's only one more week - that's right, seven days - left in our Summer Reading program!  We've reached our third goal of 1875 hours and we've donated a flock of ducklings to Heifer International.  But can we reach 2500 hours - the highest goal we've ever had - in just seven days?!

We can if you keep reading!  So read, read, read!  Come into the library anytime during our open hours over the next seven days to stamp your log and record your reading hours.

And don't forget about our Wrap Up Party!  On Wednesday, August 21 at 2:00 p.m. we'll have an awesome performance by The Yo-Yo People.  They're world yo-yo champions and they hold 3 Guinness World Records.  They'll perform amazing tricks using all sorts of yo-yos, including yo-yos attached to bouncy balls, yo-yos with 10-foot strings, and using multiple yo-yos while simultaneously riding a unicycle!  The show is aimed at kids entering grades K-5 with their families.

And as soon as the show is over, we'll start our Wrap-Up Party.  The Wrap-Up Party is for families with children of all ages.  We'll find out whether or not we've read enough to donate a llama, and we may even share a special treat.  You won't want to miss it!

Another Guessing Jar Winner!

Congratulations to Sofia, our most recent Guessing Jar winner!  Sofia had the closest guess as to how many pieces of sea glass were in the Guessing Jar.  She chose a play doh kit as her prize!

There is still a little bit of time left for you to have your chance to win!  This week we're guessing how many construction stickers are in our jar.  And next week (the very last week of Summer Reading!) we'll be "digging for compliments" by guessing how many compliments are on little strips of paper inside the jar.  So be sure to stop in and make your guess.  You just might win!