On the second Monday of every month, we welcome therapy dogs to the Columbia Public Library for “Reading to Rover.” These trained and certified dogs listen happily as children Kindergarten age and older read books to them—and they might even roll over for tummy rubs! Dogs are very friendly listeners and never judge for mispronounced words.
If your child is working on English as a second language, this program is a great low-risk opportunity to practice reading aloud. It can even be a chance for kids who are nervous around dogs to meet calm dogs in a safe environment.
At “Reading to Rover,” we offer books for your children to choose from, and I like to select dog-themed books especially! Here’s a few of my favorite dog books that you might just see if you join us next time on May 14th, or any second Monday.
It’s finally spring! As warmer weather approaches, we can expect plenty of rain. Many people associate rain with long days stuck indoors, but encouraging kids to play out in the rain is a great way to keep them active and expand their imagination.
Are you looking to incorporate more STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) activities into your child’s life? Have them design and build boats out of aluminum foil, then race them down streams or see if they float in a puddle. Let your kids experiment with the shape of the boats to see which float the best. Then add twigs and little rocks to see how much weight each boat can carry. When you’re ready to warm up inside, you can read “Things That Float and Things That Don’t” by David Adler. This book is full of illustrations and simple definitions for complex subjects such as density and buoyancy.
For more nautical STEAM-inspired fun, be sure to sign up for the Wiggle-Bot Boats program at the Columbia Public Library on Monday, April 23. Kids age 8 and older will have the opportunity to design and build a motorized robot boat. And, even better, they get to keep their creations! Registration begins April 10.
Let’s face it, sometimes graphic novels can get a bad rap. It’s a common misconception that graphic novels have no educational merit or are simply a waste of time. However, graphic novels actually promote many literacy skills that other books simply cannot.
Here’s a short list of the benefits of reading graphic novels:
Graphic novels help kids differentiate emotions using facial expressions and body language.
Have a reluctant reader? Graphic novels can pique the interest of kids who can’t find the fun in traditional books.
For kids who skim pages and read too quickly, pictures can slow them down so they soak up more details.
For visual learners, graphic novels can have more of an impact. They can learn to connect story points and infer things just from visuals.
Spring is here, which means lots of rainy days ahead. If your family is stuck inside during a downpour (and you’re not afraid of a bit of a mess) then try out this glitter slime recipe. This slime is super shiny, stretchy, squishy and sparkly! And it’s pretty easy to make, so include your kids in on the messy fun of creating this recipe.
What you need:
1/2 cup white glue (Clear works too!)
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon saline solution
Food coloring and glitter
Bowl
Spoon
What you do:
Add glue to your bowl.
Add water to glue, and stir until they are combined.
Stir in the baking soda.
Add food coloring and glitter. (We used fine glitter. It doesn’t show up well in photos, but it looks really pretty up close!)
Add saline solution and stir vigorously to form the slime. This takes a few minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts bubbling and pulling up from the sides of the bowl.
Play! Explore the fun, sticky texture of the slime. It’s a bit messy, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little grubby. Store your slime in a baggie or reusable container.
It’s one thing to know that Daniel Boone Regional Library offers fantastic events and services. It’s another thing to know what makes them so special. Let me share a story with you.
5-month-old Rebekah, Nathana and Mitch Clay
My wife and I had just moved to Columbia, MO with our 5-month-old daughter. We had loved the libraries where we moved from and knew that we needed to check out DBRL whenever we had the chance. Our daughter had an attachment to books as soon as she made acquaintance with the world.
A random evening opened up for us, so we brought the whole family to a baby story time. That night, Paula (that evening’s story time leader) focused a theme around “noisy sounds.” We had a blast listening to the books and singing library classics such as “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom” and “Webster Waddles.” But then Paula got out some toys and everything changed. Continue reading “Why We Bring Our Children to Story Time”
It’s soooo much fun to say! But what is an onomatopoeia? Well, here’s a poem with a couple of great examples:
A Dog Saw a Cat on a Lonely Roof
A dog saw a cat on a lonely roof. He greeted her with a friendly ‘woof.’ The cat looked at him with a hopeful ‘meow.‘ “I’d like to come down but I don’t know how.”
Merriam-Webster defines onomatopoeia as “the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss).” In the poem above, “woof” and “meow” are onomatopoeias.
Books that feature onomatopoeias are not only fun to listen to but are also fun to read. Consider the classic “Mr Brown Can Moo! Can You?” by Dr. Seuss. Whether reader or listener, it’s hard not to laugh when Mr. Brown sounds off with everything from “moo moo” and “boom boom” to “sizzle sizzle” and “blurp blurp!”
At DBRL, we have a wide variety of books that feature onomatopoeias. Here are a few (from a very long list!) you can enjoy with your children.
What would happen if you mixed a board book with a lots of bumps and glitter? It would become a really feely book! You may have read books such as “That’s Not My Teddy” by Fiona Watt and “Kitten” by DK where readers can feel one texture on each page. DK publishers took it to the next step with the new Really Feely series. Try out “Really Feely: Baby Animals” or “Really Feely: Farm” by Polly Appleton for multiple sensory experiences on every page.
Pages from “Really Feely: Baby Animals”
These books have a combination of bumps, textures, fluffy patches and glitter, and they can be great for children with sensory concerns. The reader is encouraged to explore the textures by the text. Check out more textured books at a library nearest you!
Bubbles are great fun for kids and adults alike! The following rainbow foam bubble recipe is magical, and mixing the colors can be a learning experience for your kiddos. This foam is a quick to make and easy to clean. You do use soap to make the bubbles, so little ones who tend to put stuff in their mouths should have close supervision.
What you need:
2 tablespoons of dish soap (Liquid bubble bath will also work.)
1/4 cup of water (If you have hard water you might want to use bottled water instead.)
Food coloring or liquid watercolors*
Large bowl
Hand mixer
What you do:
Combine the dish soap, water and color in a bowl and mix on the highest possible setting for a minute or two to make foam, which will form stiff peaks when ready. You can make several batches, adding a new color to each. Pour the foam out into a bathtub, sink or large container. Kiddos will love exploring the colors and texture of the foamy bubbles. For extra fun, add some waterproof toys to the foam.
* Food coloring can stain clothing and potentially hands, feet, hair, etc. You might want to explore liquid watercolors — they don’t stain, their colors are vibrant, they mix well and they are inexpensive.
Board games are an incredible tool that can be used to gather the family for some screen-free fun. Beyond just having a good time, board games feature tactile and analytical aspects that can help develop useful life skills.
Here’s just a small number of skills that board games help promote:
Creativity – Games often let players to come up with creative ways to work towards victory.
Imagination – Embracing the fictional world of a game can be a lot of fun.
Critical-thinking – Games allow you to analyze the best ways to reach a goal or solve a problem.
Cooperation – Many games demand communication and teamwork for success.
Sportsmanship – If taught properly, kids can learn to become good losers and mindful winners.
I highly encourage you to check out BoardGameGeek for an amazing list of games ranked specifically with families in mind. Or if you’re looking for a free alternative, your library has you covered! For young children who are learning basic concepts like colors and the alphabet, you can check out Learning Prop Game Kits. Each kit features a simple, unique game that comes in a convenient zip-up pouch. Follow this link to our catalog to put one on hold!
March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Go Further with Food.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants to inspire kids and adults to choose foods that are healthy for their bodies as well as for the environment. Teaching kids about food and how to prepare it is a great way to build healthy habits and learn lifelong skills.
The library has many cookbooks specifically geared towards kids. Check out some of these titles, and enjoy some tasty treats with your child!
“Our Food” is filled with fun pictures and short poems, answering important questions like, “What are fruits, and why are they so colorful?” or “Why do I have to eat my vegetables?” Your child will learn all about the different food groups and how they fuel our bodies.
This cookbook not only provides enjoyable recipes but also teaches kids how to grow their own produce! Growing your own food gives your family a deeper understanding of where your meals comes from. It is safer to eat, produces less waste and is a great way to spend time together. Continue reading “National Nutrition Month”
On the second Monday of every month, we welcome therapy dogs to the Columbia Public Library for “Reading to Rover.” These trained and certified dogs listen happily as children Kindergarten age and older read books to them—and they might even roll over for tummy rubs! Dogs are very friendly listeners and never judge for mispronounced words.
If your child is working on English as a second language, this program is a great low-risk opportunity to practice reading aloud. It can even be a chance for kids who are nervous around dogs to meet calm dogs in a safe environment.
What you need:
Stir in the baking soda.
Bubbles are great fun for kids and adults alike! The following rainbow foam bubble recipe is magical, and mixing the colors can be a learning experience for your kiddos. This foam is a quick to make and easy to clean. You do use soap to make the bubbles, so little ones who tend to put stuff in their mouths should have close supervision.
Board games are an incredible tool that can be used to gather the family for some screen-free fun. Beyond just having a good time, board games feature tactile and analytical aspects that can help develop useful life skills.
