The multicolored quilts lining the floor offered the ideal setting for reading.
One by one, the young playmates were carried into the Children's Room at the Richland County Main Library on Tuesday to embrace the world of words and songs.
With parents, grandparents and other caregivers at their sides, the infants - ranging from several months to 1 year old - were being introduced to stories, rhymes and songs as part of the library's popular Mother Goose Storytime program.
Today's news video
"We're just trying to instill the love of learning and listening and books," children's room librarian Jenny Dilworth said of the gathering, part of a broader Storytime program to nurture young readers.
Library staff members said that long before they reach 12 months old, infants can begin developing the memory and comprehension skills that will benefit them in later years.
And experts note that by age 5, children have heard 90 percent of the words they'll ever learn.
"There are a lot of rich words in the books that we read," Dilworth said.
During the Mother Goose story times, library staff members alternate been reading books and leading some well known nursery rhymes, including "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "The Noble Duke of York" and "The Wheels on the Bus."
"A lot of times, some of the parents don't know the songs yet, so it's good for them too," Dilworth said.
During each gathering, there's also "tandem" reading time, when each parent or caregiver receives a copy of the same book and reads aloud together to their children.
Anita Brown, who came out for the first time Tuesday with her 2 1/2-month-old son, Evan, said she recalls similar interactions with her own mother when she was a child.
"My mother was an avid reader, and we always had books," Brown said. "I love to read, so I just want to introduce him to reading at an early age."
Laura Hess, who came to the library with her 9-month-old daughter, Olivia, is a believer in the benefits of the early exposure to books and singing.
Hess said she had brought her 2-year-old son, Ethan, in the past and has seen a significant impact on his attention span.
"He goes to his room and pulls out his books and sits and reads. That's why I brought her."
David Suarez, a librarian assistant who led Tuesday's story time, said the infants had been remarkably focused given their ages, adding that focus will only improve with time.
"They really seem to get it," Suarez said.
Get The State newspaper delivered to your home. Click here to subscribe.
We encourage an open – and civil – exchange of affirming and dissenting opinions on our stories. We invite you to respectfully comment on our content as part of our interactive community.
Click here to read our comment guidelines and learn about our commenting system. Report abuse by clicking the "Report Abuse" link.
E-Mail
Print
