The Laurel-Jones County Library offers multiple storytimes at both of our branches. Here’s a list to see which one is right for your family!

 

Storytime – Ages toddler/preschool/elementary-aged children

10 AM Tuesdays in Laurel
10 AM Thursdays in Ellisville

Every week, join us for a delightful Storytime at the Laurel-Jones County Library, where children can enjoy a new and exciting story paired with fun activities and crafts. Each session is
thoughtfully designed to spark imagination, encourage early literacy skills, and foster a love for reading. Our vibrant and engaging storytellers bring each book to life, ensuring that children not
only listen to captivating tales but also actively participate in related hands-on activities and creative crafts.

What to Expect:
● New Stories Each Week: Every session features a different book, carefully selected to entertain, educate, and expand young minds.
● Interactive Activities: After the story, children can enjoy activities related to the theme of the book. These activities are designed to reinforce key concepts and enhance comprehension.
● Creative Crafting: Children will have the chance to create their own masterpieces, inspired by the story, helping to develop their fine motor skills and creativity.

Benefits of Storytime:
1. Boosts Language Skills: Listening to stories promotes vocabulary development and helps children understand the structure of language.
2. Encourages Imagination: Exposure to various stories fosters imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
3. Promotes Social Skills: Storytime is a wonderful opportunity for children to interact with peers, learn to share, and engage in group activities.
4. Strengthens Parent-Child Bonds: Storytime allows families to enjoy quality time together, and parents can actively participate in their child’s learning.
5. Supports Cognitive Development: The combination of listening, discussing, and creating helps improve memory, focus, and comprehension.
6. Instills a Love for Reading: By making stories fun and interactive, Storytime fosters a lifelong love of books and reading.

Whether you’re looking to enrich your child’s education or simply want to enjoy a fun and creative morning, Storytime at the Laurel-Jones County Library is a wonderful way to nurture young minds!

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Baby & Me – Ages birth to toddler

9 AM Tuesdays in Laurel
9 AM Thursdays in Ellisville

Baby + Me at the Laurel-Jones County Library is a weekly, interactive experience designed for babies and their parents or caregivers. Each session is a fun and nurturing environment where
little ones can explore early literacy concepts through baby books, songs, sensory play, and delightful activities. This program provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding between babies
and their caregivers while introducing the joy of reading, movement, and creativity from a very young age.

What to Expect:
● Baby Books: At times, we pull out our board books for our babies to explore! This a selection of baby-friendly books that feature colorful images, simple text, and rhythmic patterns that engage babies’ attention and help develop early language skills.
● Songs and Rhymes: We sing songs and nursery rhymes that promote language development and coordination, while also encouraging babies to move and groove along with the music.
● Sensory Play: Babies will enjoy sensory activities that stimulate their senses of touch, sight, and hearing, fostering cognitive and motor skills development.
● Crafts and Activities: Holiday-themed handprint and footprint crafts are a favorite, allowing families to create lasting memories with fun keepsakes. Bubbles, musical instruments, and other hands-on activities are also part of the experience.
● Social Interaction: Baby + Me is not only beneficial for the babies, but it’s also a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to connect with others, share experiences, and build a supportive community.

Benefits of Baby + Me:
1. Early Literacy Skills: Exposure to books and songs helps babies begin to recognize sounds, words, and patterns, laying the foundation for language development.
2. Sensory Development: Sensory activities help babies build important motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness while stimulating their curiosity.
3. Socialization: The program fosters social interaction not only for babies but also for parents and caregivers, helping them form connections and friendships in the community.
4. Cognitive and Emotional Growth: The activities encourage babies to explore their environment, engage with others, and begin to understand the world around them in a
safe, fun setting.
5. Strengthens Parent-Child Bond: The Baby + Me program provides quality time between caregivers and babies, promoting emotional bonding and attachment.
6. A Fun, Relaxed Atmosphere: The program is designed to be stress-free and enjoyable for both parents and babies, with an emphasis on fun, play, and learning together.

Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned caregiver, Baby + Me offers a delightful way to connect with your baby while fostering their early developmental milestones. Join us at the
Laurel-Jones County Library for a joyful and educational experience each week!