By Christine Grant

As we move deeper into the school year, we want to remind everyone about the opportunities available for learners of all ages at Neuse Regional Libraries. Many fun and educational weekly programs are available for little learners at each of our eight locations and throughout the community.

Storytime is for children ages birth to  five years and consists of stories, songs, crafts, and learning games. Each week’s program starts with a welcome song incorporating shakers and dance followed by fun stories and songs that keep children engaged. A theme-based craft or STEM activity ends each session, allowing children to hone their fine-motor skills and increase their creative thinking.

• Greene County Public Library, Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.

• La Grange Public Library, Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

• Pink Hill Public Library, Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.

Countdown to Kindergarten is an early literacy program geared towards preschoolers ages 3-5 years. Fifteen minutes of interactive crafts, STEM, and activity stations are followed by stories and songs. Through these activities, young children learn some of the skills they will need to be successful in school.  They also get much needed interaction with other children. While this program does not teach children everything that they will need to know before they start school, it is an excellent foundation for early literacy skills.

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m.

Baby and Me is a movement- and music-based program that is enjoyable for infants ages 18 months and younger and caregivers alike.  Each week participants gather to hear age-appropriate stories, sing songs and learn bits of Spanish and American Sign Language.  Fifteen minutes of learning activities are followed by fifteen minutes of play.  Playtime allows babies to interact with each other and gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to talk with other adults.  Shakers, bells, scarves, bubbles, and flannel board activities add to the fun.

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Stemology is a STEM-based program that takes place at Neuse Regional Libraries on various afternoons throughout the week and is geared towards school-age children. In this program, children explore science, technology, engineering and math through group and individual experiments and activities.

• Pollocksville Public Library, Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.

• Greene County Public Library, Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.

• Pink Hill Public Library, Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.

• La Grange Public Library, Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
  

Study Buddies is another weekly program provided by Neuse Regional Libraries. This free after-school program allows children to receive help with their homework and tutoring in math, reading, and writing. Each student is matched with a volunteer tutor for weekly one-on-one sessions. Registration is required.

• Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.

• Maysville Public Library, Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

• Pollocksville Public Library, Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

In addition to the weekly programming for children, the library hosts special programs throughout the year at each of its locations.  Check out our Events page on the library website at www.neuselibrary.org or call the Children’s Department at 252-527-7066 ext. 133 for more information.