Storytimes & Children's Programming

Storytimes and Children's Programs are offered throughout the year. Most are tailored to specific age groups, so please note the age guidelines given for each storytime or children's program listed.

All storytimes and children's programs consist of age-appropriate stories, fingerplays, and occasional crafts and movies.

The library offers regular storytimes tailored to these specific age groups:
 
Baby (Birth - 24 mo), Toddler (2 - 3½ yrs), Preschool (3½ - 5 yrs).

Registration for Storytimes & Programs

> > >    Registration for may be done in person
> > >    or by phone (401-710-7800)
> > >    during regular library hours.

Questions

If you have any questions about our children's programs, please call the library and speak with one of our Children's Librarians, Cynthia Szymanski or Beth DeCristofaro.

Storytimes Schedule      [ TOP ]

Fall 2009

> > >    Registration for Storytimes is necessary.

> > >    Sign up for Winter Storytimes begins
    Monday, January 4th, 2010.

Babytimes   [ About Babytimes ]

Pre-Walkers ages birth to 24 months

Fridays 10:00 to 10:30
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20
December 4, 11

6-Week Winter Session begins January 22, 2010

Toddlertimes   [ About Toddlertimes ]

Ages 2 to 3½ years, accompanied by an adult

Choose Tuesdays 10:30 to 11:00
6-Week Tuesday Session begins January 19, 2010

OR Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:00
6-Week Wednesday Session begins January 20, 2010

Preschool   [ About Preschool ]

Ages 3½ to 5 years

Tuesdays 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.
6-Week Session begins January 19, 2010

Of Interest to Parents

These Library has put together these informational brochures:

Your Child and the Internet
"When you give a child a library card, you are giving that child access to a wide variety of library materials, among which is the Internet..."

Please Note: Restricting a Child's Library Internet Access
Parents who wish to restrict their child's Internet use at the library may request a "No Internet Use" notation be placed on the child's library card. Parents must request this restriction in person.

What is Your Child's Learning Style?
"...Knowing and understanding the types of learning styles is important for students of every age..."

The brochures are in PDF format.

JMS Library Internet Use for Children

The Children's Department of the JMS Library reminds parents that it is the parents who are ultimately responsible for deciding if and how their children will use the Internet in the public library.

The computers in the JMS Children's Department are available to kids 13 years of age and younger who have a library card. Library staff does NOT monitor each child's individual use.

Parents who wish to restrict their child's Internet use at the library may request a "No Internet Use" notation be placed on the child's library card. Parents must request this restriction in person at the library.

For more information on Internet safety, please see our brochure, "Your Child and the Internet."

Suggested Web Sites on Internet Safety

safekids.com
Kids Rules for Online Safety and more

ala.org/greatsites
Great Web Wites for Kids from the American Library Association

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Club

If your child will be entering kindergarten in September 2010, you and your child are invited to joing the library's "Getting Ready for Kindergarten Club."

The Club meets monthly
one Saturday each month
from 10:30 to 11:30
Beginning October 17th, 2009

The program is designed to address the eight areas of learning that have been identified by the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to prepare your child for a successful kindergarten year.

The Club will meet once a month for stories, interactive play and learning experiences. Registration is required.

If you have any questions, please call the library during regular hours and ask to speak to one of our Children's Librarians.

About Our Storytimes      [ TOP ]

Baby    [ Schedule ]

The Jesse Smith Library offers programs for babies ages birth through 24 months.

Baby storytimes are about 30 minutes long, and generally held in the morning.

For years, babies have been considered "too young" to benefit from the library. It is only recently that parents and librarians have recognized the value of exposing the youngest of children to the sounds of people talking, the tunes and cadences of songs, and the rhythms and repetitions of poems and stories. The public library provides a warm and welcoming place for babies and their caregivers to experience the richness of the English language and the companionship of other babies and adults.

The goals of the program are to promote literacy and the love of language from the beginning of the child's life, and to provide a time and place for caregivers and their babies to share books and to socialize in a group setting. Each session begins with twenty minutes of rhymes and songs during which babies and adults clap, bounce, point, and fly, all from the safety of an adult lap. After rhymes, books are shared, both on a group and individual basis. The session ends with lullabies and a good-bye ryhme. Babies and adults are then free to socialize and share more books if they wish after the session.

Toddler    [ Schedule ]

Toddler storytimes are for children ages 2 - 3½ years.
These children must be accompanied to each session by an adult.

Toddler storytimes are about 30 minutes long, and are generally held in the morning.

Preschool    [ Schedule ]

Preschool storytimes are for children ages 3½ - 5 years who do not need to be accompanied by an adult.

Preschool storytimes are about 45 minutes long, and are generally held in the morning.

[ TOP ]