Great FREE library programs for infants and toddlers!

As a Early Intervention provider I have always stressed the importance of peer socialization and group activities for toddlers. Social groups and play dates help infants and toddlers develop speech, language, gross motor, fine motor and social skills. For the last few years I have been repeatedly disappointed by the fact that most families don't know what great programs are available out there.

When my little peanut was 6-months-old I started taking her to the Book Babies in the Winfield area of Crown Point. Yes, I was an eager new mom anxious to get her baby every advantage.... OK... so, she may not have gotten much out of her library program at that age. But she now loves it and I really want to encourage all families to check out these free programs.

There is no greater single thing you can do as a parent to encourage speech and language skills with your infants and toddler than to read to them. A nightly book routine is a great way to teach literacy as well as set up a great bed-time routine. The free library programs are a great way to further encourage literacy as well as address communication and social skills with your little ones!

I know the this is Valpolife....but I have to tip my hat to the Crown Point program. All infants and toddlers are welcome to this program and the library group leaders participate in continuing education and gear their programs to the short attention span that you get with tiny tots. They incorporate movement, music and visual aides to help maintain the little one's attention.

Now, the Valpo program may be great...but as my little peanut isn't two-years-old yet...there are no programs available to her in Valpo.... So to Winfield we go! For those of you who don't know, the Winfield library is located in the same building as the fire department just one block north of 109th ave.

As for the rest of you.... I hope you take advantage of these great programs in either or both areas!

Library Groups:

Valparaiso:

Tiny Tots group for ages 2 to 2 1/2

Toddler Time group for ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2

Call your local library branch for days and times

Crown Point :

Book Babies group for ages 6 months to 2 years

Tot Time for ages 2 to 3

Little Listeners group for over 3