Move it baby: Library hosts sessions
Movement and sensory sessions offered for tots
‘The first 1000 days are important for a child’s development,” says LibraryPlus officer Emily
Clough.
She says Ha¯wera LibraryPlus started hosting baby movement and sensory sessions earlier this year to help babies through their development stages.
“Each session helps stimulate the five senses to progress through tummy time, crawling, running and jumping.”
Emily says because of popularity and demand, they’ve brought them back for this school term and increased the age limit to cater for more tamariki.
“Babies aged 6 months to 2 years old and their wha¯nau are welcome to attend, no matter the stage of development they are at.”
The session timing has changed
this term; it is now on Mondays at 11am after a pre-school story time session. Moving to a morning session
makes sense, says Emily, as many of the older babies have an afternoon nap.
“The decision to make it Monday makes it easier for families who attend both sessions,” she says. “It also
makes the transition easier from baby movement and sensory to story time when the children turn 2, as families will not have to change days.”
She says the free movement and sensory sessions include activities that help babies and toddlers progress in their development.
“The activities help to improve coordination, concentration, memory, communication, and socialisation skills to create foundations for future learning.”
Each session includes ageappropriate music and activities.
“There’s dancing, rhymes, books and many more things.”
Emily says the library is the perfect place for the sessions.
“It’s a fun and safe environment and introduces them and their family to their local library.”