17 July, 2023
Library Director Nanci Milone-Hill is pleased to announce that the Hopkinton Public Library's Children's Department has increased its storytime events to twice per week, and is now offering sensory-friendly sessions.
Due to their popularity, Baby-Toddler Storytime and Preschool Storytime are being offered twice per week, as well as one Saturday per month. Baby-Toddler Storytime is now offered Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m., and Preschool Storytime is offered Tuesday and Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Baby-Toddler Storytimes start with approximately 20 minutes of free play and social time for children and their caregivers. After toys are put away, children settle in for a structured storytime, including songs/rhymes and a book. The storytimes typically follow a monthly theme to support language development. Children are further supported by the repetition of songs and rhymes for the course of the month, but enjoy a different thematic book each week.
Baby-Toddler Storytimes are recommended for children up to age three. Preschool Storytimes typically feature a weekly theme that includes 1-2 stories, a song/rhyme, and a craft or activity. This storytime is recommended for children aged 3-6.
Both programs run for about 45 minutes and require patrons to register through the library’s online calendar: hopkintonlibrary.org/calendar.
With the increase in weekly storytime sessions, the library is also offering new sensory-friendly sessions on Tuesday mornings. While all storytime sessions include some sensory-friendly practices, such as visual schedules, routines and repetition, and body breaks/movement, the new sensory-friendly sessions will include additional modifications. These modifications include, but are not limited to, smaller group sizes, softer lighting and softer music volumes. These storytimes are available to all children.
Registration for the sensory-friendly sessions is also available through the library’s online calendar: hopkintonlibrary.org/calendar. Registration opens one week prior to the event.
