The Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library will bring back their infant storytime program "Paddy Cake Baby and Me," coordinated by Pam Boepple, starting Jan. 21. (Argus photo/JESSICA SIEFF)

By JESSICA SIEFF
Edwardsburg Argus

In just its second year, the “Paddy Cake Baby and Me” program at the Edwardsburg Branch of the Cass District Library is just a little bit older than its intended audience.

The program is intended for infants from 6 to 20 months old and provides a way for caregivers to interact with their little ones while promoting literacy at the early stages of life.

“The child sits on the caregiver’s lap and the caregiver does things with the baby,” Pam Boepple, coordinator of the program, said.

In addition to reading aloud, Boepple uses forms of rhythm, nursery rhymes and audio to interact with the infants.

“It gets them exposed to books, it gets them exposed to listening to the rhymes of nursery rhymes,” Boepple said.

In the children’s section of the library, Boepple will set up a standing easel that lists the words to various rhymes and songs, giving the caregivers a little help in following along.
The program is as much for the adults as it is for the children, giving them a chance to spend quality time with their infants and interact with other adults.

After Boepple reads to the children, using early stage picture books and works with the children through rhymes, a bag filled with colorful and age-appropriate toys is pulled out for the children to play with while the adults are given a chance to talk to each other and share experiences.

“For some caregivers, they’re around babies all day,” Boepple said. “This gives them a chance to meet with other young parents” – young mothers who may be experiencing new motherhood or other working caregivers.

Boepple started the program last year. Materials are purchased using available library funds. She said it was quite well received when introduced.

“It went very well. I was very pleased,” Boepple said.

She added she hopes to see more new and returning faces as the program continues this year.

Offered at both the Edwardsburg and the main Cass District Library, “Paddy Cake Baby and Me” will start up next week and run Jan. 21 to Feb. 12.

The program is held Thursdays at the main library at 10 a.m. and on Fridays at the Edwardsburg branch at 9:30 a.m.

Boepple said those interested are encouraged to register by calling the library but it is not mandatory.

Story time, she said, is about 15 to 20 minutes and caregivers can socialize afterward.
The library will also see the start of its Winter Story Time program, featuring this year’s themes of “Song and Dance,” “Winter Fun,” Valentine’s Day” and “Cleaning Up.”

The program is recommended for ages 3-5 years and parents can sign their children up at a branch of their choice. The program is offered Tuesdays at the Howard Branch, Wednesdays at the Mason/Union Branch and Fridays in Edwardsburg at 10 a.m. and at the Main Library at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Mason/Union will also hold a 6:30 p.m. program on Thursdays.