PACKAGED BY ELLA SAMS – Broadcast Staff
Every Monday night at 7 p.m. the Athens-Clarke County Library holds Children’s Bedtime Stories in the storyroom. The program uses hands-on activities to engage children and build a foundation in learning. Here children are encouraged to use their different senses to discover the world of literature.
“For us (the bedtime stories) are really helping kids get excited about reading and helping them work on their literacy skills. Some of the songs we use over and over again so they can learn just through repetition. A lot of the songs they can practice their numbers, their letters and really just helping kids learn to read and get excited about reading,” assistant children’s librarian Keir Bridges said.
The children take a sense of confidence from the program, whether it be confidence in learning, speaking, or coming out of their comfort zone.
“They love to sing the songs, and they love reading the books because he gets to get different books than he has at home,” parent Lena Starr said.
However, children are not the only ones who take something from the event. Parents take advantage of the many benefits the Children’s Bedtime Stories has to offers.
“I think parents like that it’s a free program,” Bridges said. “It being Monday nights, it works for most working parents to be able to come to the program.”
Considering that the program is free of obligation, it fits in to the unique schedules of parents.
“This time works great because my husband actually works the night shift of the police department, so it gives us something to do at night to kill the hours that he’s away,” Starr said.
