Toe-tapping fun

By Casey Neill
DANDENONGS and foothills tiny tots tap their toes, sing songs and read along at local libraries each week.
The Tiny Tots Storytime program introduces children aged up to three years to books, songs and movement to build reading and communication skills.
Youth Services Librarian Sue Wootton has run the Ferntree Gully program for the past seven years.
“It’s a great way of introducing children to the library and to reading, to encourage a love of reading, a love of books,” she said.
Ms Wootton said establishing good reading habits early was ‘vitally important’.
“If they like reading and they like books, it just gives them such a head start,” she said.
She said mums and dads often forged friendships during the sessions.
“It’s a great social network as well for some of the parents who may not have an opportunity to catch up with other people in other situations,” she said.
Ms Wootton alternates between stories and songs for about 10 minutes, and then provides the kids with colouring sheets, puzzles and toys.
“They sit on their mother or father’s knee and get the benefit of singing the songs and listening to the stories and the older children get to sit on the floor and participate,” she said.
Tracey Bromfield regularly brings daughters Paige, 2 and Lara, 14 months to the Ferntree Gully Storytime.
She noticed Paige’s interest in books increase and her concentration improve.
“I read to her every night and we choose books every time we come,” she said.
Paige now even creates her own stories.
“And her communication is excellent, it’s definitely assisted with that,” Ms Bromfield said.
Tiny Tots Storytime is held at Ferntree Gully library at 11am each Wednesday.
Mooroolbark library also holds an 11am Wednesday session, while Belgrave offers a 2pm Tuesday timeslot.
Tots can sing, dance and read at Croydon library on Tuesdays at 1pm, Knox on Thursdays at 1pm and 1.30pm and Rowville at 2pm each Wednesday.
Places are unlimited and bookings are not required.
More information is available by calling Sue Wootton at Ferntree Gully Library on 9294 8140.