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Babytime @ Whistler Public Library Do you have a baby 18 months old or younger? Then the library just might have a program for you. Starting Oct.

Babytime @ Whistler Public Library

Do you have a baby 18 months old or younger? Then the library just might have a program for you. Starting Oct. 3, and carrying on for nien consecutive weeks, the library will be offering a program especially designed for the infants, and their caregivers. These 45-minute sessions will take place at the Whistler Public Library every Friday from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and will introduce parents and caregivers to rhymes, songs and bounces for the little ones.

Why is this program beneficial for the caregivers? Because it helps parents to gain skills and confidence, which further enables them to create new and positive family patterns during their child’s early years. Baby time also introduces appropriate alternatives to strong physical control, while dealing with cranky, and fussy behaviour. The latest research in baby brain development underlines the importance of touch as well as early communication. Singing and talking to infants stimulates their physical, emotional and cognitive development. Infants respond to the rhythm and rhyme of songs, nursery rhymes, lullabies and most importantly, the sound of their parents’ voices. With time, ‘storytime’ children show an improvement in language and pre-literacy skills, elevation in self-esteem, and social skills.

Babytime program is an interactive group experience for both parents/caregivers and their babies. The ‘teaching’ is directed at the adults, because they are the ones using the rhymes and songs with their babies outside the library. Activities during the sessions focus on interactive rhymes, stories and songs, and everything is presented orally. The pace will be slow and relaxed, with lots of repetition of the newly introduced material.

At this time, Whistler Public Library will be offering two sessions of Babytime, one starting on Oct. 3 and ending on Nov. 28, 2003, and the other running from Jan. 30, 2004 to March 26, 2004. Registration is recommended, and will be starting mid-August, as spaces are limited. Anyone interested should contact Agnes Gorgon, Children’s Librarian, at the Whistler Public Library at 604-932-5564. See you in October!