All Library Events are free and open to the public.
The Friends of the Monroe County Public Library |
Ongoing Programs and Activities: Children's Programs at Ellettsville Branch
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Ongoing
Programs and Activities |
There's so much to do and explore with your children, and the Preschool Exploration Center is available for drop-in use almost all hours that the library is open.
The PEC opens 30 minutes after the library opens and closes 30 minutes before the library closes.* When a supervisor is present, caregivers and children may do special activities. When there is no supervisor, caregivers and children may do the stand-alone activities featured in the room. An adult must be present at all times with a child to monitor that child's activities and behavior. (For more information, please ask for our “How to Behave in the Library” policy for patrons).
The PEC is set up with early literacy explorations including books, puzzles, games, creative dramatics with puppets and play spaces. The room cannot accommodate running or “rough” play. With your help, we make the PEC experience a success for all children.
The PEC will have supervised offerings Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, 9:30-11:30 a.m. These programs are designed for drop-in audiences. No registration required. These offerings include:
Monday: “Arabic Immersion”—Native Arabic speakers will supervise this program of play-based activities that allow all children and their caregivers to experience the Arabic language, written and spoken. Dramatic play, storytelling, music and movement will be conducted mostly in Arabic.
Tuesday: “Your Child, Ready to Read”—Join Christie Ward, IU graduate clinician in speech and language pathology, for activities which help develop phonological awareness skills and letter to sound correspondence-skills requisite to reading readiness. These activities need the active participation of parents/caregivers with children so come prepared to learn with your child.
Thursday: “Say It in Spanish”—These bilingual Spanish/English programs are cosponsored by Templeton/Shalom Family Resource Center. Educator Nancy Armstrong will supervise these programs of stories, songs, and activities.
First and third Friday of the month: “Family Fun”— Family-based literacy activities that enrich children's acquisition of language. Led by literacy specialist Karen Serfling and cosponsored by Banneker/Summit Family Resource Center.
*Note: On Wednesday mornings, the PEC is used for baby and toddler programs requiring advance registration and is not open for drop-in use.
Drop in for a mixed bag of stories, songs, fingerplays and more, geared to
ages 3 to 6.
Parents and caregivers are invited to join in the fun.
No registration necessary.
Tuesday mornings
10:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Department Program Room
| March Programs |
It's a birthday party and you're invited. Come to our Read Across America birthday celebration for Dr. Seuss. Watch a film, Horton Hears a Who!, see a live performance featuring young musicians from IU Jacobs' School of Music Pre-College Recorder and Harpsichord Program, participate in hands-on activities and be a game piece in a life-size Dr. Seuss game. No registration necessary. Drop in anytime. Cosponsored by the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Children's Services.
Activities appropriate for 3-9 year olds
Saturday, March 4
1-4 p.m.
Film and performance times are:
1:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Rooms 1A, 1B, 1C and Library Auditorium
Spring is just around the corner, but the winds of winter still blow
a chill. Join author Leo Lionni's mouse Frederick, as he shows how words
can keep you warm during the cold months. Learn how to create your own
poetry from the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Participants may
share their poetry at Saturday's Poetry Reading.
Grades 3-6
Friday, March 10
4-5:30 p.m.
Children's Program Room
Please register
Come for an hour of poetry by young poets here in Bloomington. They will share poetry created from
their observations of the world around them. Hosted by author Leo Lionni's mouse Frederick, the event
will also highlight the work of poets Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, and Carl Sandburg.
Appropriate for all ages
Saturday, March 11
2-3 p.m.
Children's Program Room
Please register
Join the library storytellers and some special guest storytellers for a sampling of
their favorite stories. Stories appropriate for Kindergarten and older.
Monday, March 13
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Library Auditorium
Please register.
Grade 2 and older
Thursday, March 16
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Children's Program Room
Please
register
Ages 4 and up (No strollers allowed)
Saturday, March 25
2-3 p.m.,
Library Auditorium
Please register
| April Programs |
Plan for a perfectly pleasant Saturday with the Puck Players Puppet Theatre. These shows are FREE but you must register in advance and show up at least 15 minutes before showtime to claim your ticket. Seats not claimed by then will be offered to waiting list and walk-ins. Register in advance by calling the Children’s Department 349-3100.
Acclaimed storyteller, songwriter, and author Bill Harley gives a free
performance in honor of National Library Week. Harley has received awards
for all of his recordings for children and families, including two Grammy
nominations. He has been called the "Mark Twain of contemporary kids'
music." This free program is underwritten by the Friends of the Library.
You and your child-and your child's favorite stuffed toy-are invited to attend a birthday party
celebrating the life of author A. A. Milne and his beloved Winnie-the-Pooh books.
Join us for games such as OWL writing, a honey-taffy pull, and making balloon animals.
Inspired by the books, these fun activities are also designed to develop early literacy skills.
Appropriate for ages 4-8
Saturday, April 22
2-3:30 p.m.
Children's Program Room
Please register.
| May Programs |
Our friends at the Bloomington Early Music Festival will join us in
presenting a lyrical hour of tales featuring the book, Zin Zin Zin a Violin, and
musical accompaniment. Children and parents will enjoy a variety of
stories and instrumentalists. Please register in advance.
Ages 4 and older
Saturday, May 20
2-3 p.m.
Children's Program Room
Please register.
| Special Services
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Go to the Kids' Review page and fill in the form to tell your friends and family about a book you read from the Monroe County Public Library. Write a few comments about any MCPL children's or young adult book, and we'll put your review on the MCPL Web page for everyone to see! You can also fill out a Kids' Review form on paper for the Children's Dept. to display. Ask for more information at the "Ask Questions Here" desk in the Children's Department - and Read a Kids' Review!
Contact
Us Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County, Indiana ° (812)349-3100
Updated:
April 5, 2006
° http://www.mcpl.info/childrens/winter05-06.html
