Having Fun at the Library

Posted on August 19, 2008 in Fun-tivities by little mochi

I used to go to the library quite a bit growing up. Especially for school. I guess it is because not everyone had a computer at home then. Nowadays, you’re considered “weird” if you don’t have a computer at home. I loved the library. When I had to write a paper or had to study for an exam, that’s where you will find me. Sometimes, I’ll even visit the UCI library even though I was only a junior in high school. There’s just something about it. The smell. The quietness. The books. I felt like I was among the elite – the nerds of the world. And I loved it.

But that was over 10 years ago. I don’t think the word “library” even exists in the kid’s dictionary these days. In a world of computer games, who has time to go to the library, right? I think we as parents need to start exposing our kids to the library at a younger age.

This past Saturday, I brought Little Mochi to the Lakewood library for the very first time. He loved it. I let him run around the children’s section of the library. It’s got a colorful mat in the center where the librarians do their weekly reading program (they’ll read to the kids). Along one side of the wall, there is also a big shelf full of developmental toys. You can guess that is where Little Mochi headed! He grabbed a toy and ran all over the library, giggling and laughing. It was the cutest sight. Along another wall there are CD’s upon CD’s that we can borrow. Parenting CD’s, Lamaze CD’s, children’s CD’s from Einstein, Playskool, Sesame Street, and even good old Barney the Purple Dinosaur! I was amazed.

But it wasn’t as amazing as meeting this little girl who was about 10 years old. Little Mochi ran straight to her, stared at her for 30 seconds, and stuck his hand inside her bag to grab something. She had a few books, some toys, and some putty looking thing in small buckets. Little Mochi was holding one when I got to him (he runs around fast – it’s hard to keep up with him sometimes!). I apologized to the little girl and told Little Mochi to return the putty. He did, but the little girl said that Little Mochi could keep it because she has so many. I was touched. It’s great that she was so willing to share. Perhaps those reading programs teach your kids how to share?

But what strike me even more than her sharing characteristic is that she said she loves the library because there are so many things she can do there. I was darn impressed.

So parents, start bringing your kids to the library when they are young. There are many things your kids can do at the library. It’s especially nice if the kids are on summer break and have a little more time to enjoy their summer vacation. Here are 8 ideas to help get you started:

  1. What are other kids reading at school? Perhaps he can pick up that book too.
  2. Pick up his favorite magazine and curl up in a corner of the library.
  3. Look up new and unfamiliar places of the world with a map or encyclopedia.
  4. Find videos and music CD’s to borrow.
  5. Learn more about your favorite baseball player or animal.
  6. Do research for his homework with all the available resources.
  7. Become a better reader by joining their summer reading program.
  8. Listen to storytellers / authors read their books to other children.

I’m inspired. I am going to make sure we bring Little Mochi to the library more often now.



Comments

2 comments to “Having Fun at the Library”

  1. Heather on August 19th, 2008 10:49 pm

    Great advice and tips!

    I still remember visiting university libraries when I was in elementary school (mom brought me there all the time), and I would look up books on fishing (how to tie a hook, different fishing techniques, baits, etc.). It was my passion when I was young, and still is.

    There is just SO much things to learn in this world, and there is just somethings that the internet can’t do but a library can.

    Heck, even us adults need to visit the library more often!

  2. Julia on August 23rd, 2008 12:53 pm

    My daughter loves the library! She loves the reading programs because it’s mostly singing and dancing. She loves to pull books off the shelves and ask me to read to her. I only let her pull out 2 books at a time (1 for her and 1 for me) and I will ask her to put them back. She also adores the stuffed animals! I used to let her play with the puzzles and stuff. but since she likes the stuffed animals and she will get to play with puzzles at mommy-and-me class, i just let her play with the stuff animals only. she finished 2 summer reading programs because she loves to read at home: magazines, books, and even newspaper. she will ask my husband or me to read the newsarticles to her. she doesn’t understand what we are reading (because she only knows Cantonese) but she loves to listen and carry on conversations with us. it’s very, very awesome! i love the toddler age! they are so curious and innocent. they will describe things as-is.

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