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‘Wonder Babies’

Library entertains the toddler set

MARQUETTE — Fifteen-month-old Michael Schwemin of Ishpeming was taking part, with the help of his mother, in singing and motion activities during Thursday’s Wonder Babies session in the Peter White Public Library.

Michael was engaged in that fun, but when the shaker balls were taken out of a bag, he really came alive, toddling over to the teacher to grab a few of the toys.

Wonder Babies is a PWPL program for newborns through 17 months.

Sharon Brady, a Youth Services assistant at the library, led the fun on Thursday.

“It’s an opportunity for the kids to get exposure to the library,” Brady said.

Tried-and-true children’s activities such as reading to the kids and singing are part of the program, which she said typically lasts only about 20 minutes.

Appealing to such a young age set, though, differs from teaching older youngsters.

“We do a lot of singing, a lot of hand motions,” Brady said.

There also are weekly themes; Thursday’s theme was trucks. So, in a semi-circle with Brady at the helm, the participants sang a song about trucks, which was accompanied by Brady working with truck cutouts on a board as a visual aid.

Adult companions of the toddlers may sit with them, helping them with the various activities.

“Sometimes they sit, sometimes not,” Brady said of the youngsters. “That’s fine.

“And I think sometimes it’s all for the parents too, to get out.”

Michael’s mother, Nicole Powers, said she took her son to the Wonder Babies session to help him acquire social skills

“He’s an only child — well, he has teenage brothers,” she said.

Therefore, some special socialization was in order.

Wonder Babies takes place at 10:15 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays in the Youth Services Great Room. A transitional program for youngsters who age out of Wonder Babies — Preschool Storytime for preschool-aged children — takes place at 1 p.m. Thursdays in the same area.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.

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