Small town library encourages early childhood development through various programs

SHERIDAN, WY (KEVN) - As easy as it may seem to just give your child an electronic device and call it a day, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you don’t, especially if your child is a toddler.

Even if it’s building a tower and knocking it down or opening a book and reading it with your kid, the Sheridan County Public Library System is putting child development first.

Being able to entertain a child’s imagination and capture their curiosity at a young age is something the Sheridan County Public Library System is pushing for in the community by providing early childhood development activities and programs.

“All of our programs that involve coming and playing with blocks and with cars after Storytime or on Fridays just allow the kids to remember that they’re building, playing, and enjoying literacy overall and that it is a fun thing to do,” explained Sheridan County Public Library executive director Amy Long.

One of the programs that the library provides is Storytime, where kids from pre-school to kindergarten read stories engaging them and giving them the basics when it comes to a book.

“For example, how a book works is that this is a right-side-up book; this is how you open a book; these are the things that are in a book; these are letters; the letters form words; it seems simple and obvious, but it’s not always,” explained Long.

Having this sort of sensory learning is just one benefit the library presents to the surrounding community even having a place where children can build, play, and ask questions can carry them further in life.

“Even just having a conversation when your baby points at something, acknowledging that they’re pointing at something like they’re obviously talking baby talk but showing interest in that cause, that’s helping form a connection between what they’re seeing, what they’re saying, what they’re pointing at, and that somebody else is seeing that,” said Sheridan County Public Library System children’s librarian manager Zola Shockley.

Having this support and program in a smaller community can be beneficial to not only the child but the parents as well.

“One benefit of these programs in a small town is that moms can come here and connect with other moms and other parents and sometimes form friendships and relationships that help carry them through those early years of parenthood,” explained Long.

Adding to what Shockley said, the CDC also says that healthy development for a young child would include spending time with family, playing, reading, and having conversations with them.

Whether it’s through the library’s Free Build Fridays or Storytime program, early childhood learning can be a time to not only prepare your child for the future but a way to bond with them.

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