New Items
Preschool Programs in English
Preschool Programs
Our preschool programs offer age-appropriate books, finger plays, songs, rhymes, puppets, crafts and other book-related activities. Parents or caregivers are asked to participate in our sessions.
Toddler Time with – Russell Branch – Children 18 to 36 months.
Storytime & Crafts – Russell Branch– Children aged 3 to 4.
Complete list of programs and activities for children in English »
Register for programs and events »
Early Literacy
Learning starts at birth
Research shows that children learn the skills they need to read years before they start school. There are 6
pre-reading skills that children must acquire in order to learn to read successfully.
These skills are as follows:
- Print Awareness
- Phonological Awareness
- Print Motivation
- Vocabulary
- Narrative Skills
- Letter Knowledge
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children get ready to read. Your children learn best by doing things and they love doing things with you! Early childhood is a magical time for learning and exploration, and there’s so much for you and your young child to discover at the Township of Russell Public Library.
You are the key to your child’s success in reading…
Read. Talk. Play.
There is a direct connection between reading aloud and later reading success. Ask your child questions as you read aloud, and talk about the pictures to involve your child in the story. Children who grow up in conversational homes – with parents who talk to them and encourage them to talk – have an edge over children who hear very little language. Have fun with word games and making up silly songs and rhymes. Children who play with sounds of words before they enter school are better prepared to learn to read.
Kids Programs in English
Kids Programs
Come join the fun! Read, play and make new friends!
READING CLUBS Russell Branch
“Turn the Page” Junior Reading Club (Grades 3 to 5)
Join us for book discussions and fun literacy activities.
First Monday of the month 4 PM.
“Bookworms” Youth Reading Club (Grades 6 to 8)
Join us for book discussions and fun literacy activities.
First Tuesday of the month 4 PM.
“Bookworms” Reading Club:
January 9th Espace from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
February 6th The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois
March 6th The Crazy Man by Pamela Porter
April 3rd The Maze Runner by James Dashner
May 1st Amulet (Book 1), The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
Minecraft Clubs (7 years old +) Russell Branch
Grab a pick axe and join your fellow Minecraftians for a game of design, world creation and exploration! The Library has its own world! Tablets provided.
Club 1: Last Tuesday of the month 3 PM
Club 2: Last Wednesday of the month 4 PM
LEGO Tinkerbots Club (7 years old +) Russell Branch
Building robots has never been this fun! Build your own robot toys and program them manually with an Ipad. It’s time to get creative!
Second Thursday of the month 3:30 PM
Kids Events in English
Storytime in Pyjama “Spring into Spring”
Russell Branch
Friday, April 13 – 6:30 PM
For children 5-7 years old.
Spring stories, crafts & special treats
Cost: $7. Places are limited. Register now!
Meet children’s author Anne Raina
Saturday, June 9 – 10:30 AM
For children 3-7 years old.
A family brunch will be served starting at 10 AM
Cost: $3. Register now!
Resources for parents
Today’s Parents
A website about pregnancy, baby and toddler advice for Canadian parents.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.
Tech Savvy Kids
Early Literacy Workstations
Kids from the ages of 2 to 8 have access to a bilingual early literacy workstation in each library branch. This special computer, which is equipped with a colourful keyboard and LCD screen, offers a full range of English and French educational software programs.
Giant Touch screen Computer + iPads
Also available in the Kids Section of both library branches are a giant touchscreen computer and iPads which are equipped with educational applications in English and French.
Cool Apps for Kids
Get appy with this list of recommended iPad apps for kids!
Animal Sounds
Builds vocabulary and the ability to hear and breakdown the sounds in words. Free
Collins Big Cat: Around the World
Great interactive reading! Kids can also create their own stories. Free
Build It Up
Builds sorting skills and size differentiation (foundation to later math skills). Free for 2 gameboards. Fee for more.
Wonster Words Learning
An app that will help young students develop understanding and internalize common spelling patterns. Free
Monster Hunt
Fun memory game that reinforces the concept of “alike and different.” Free.
Habitat the Game
Your child will learn about caring for the environment by adopting a polar bear and keeping him healthy. Free.
Toonstastic
This app builds narrative skill as kids draw, animate, narrate, and record their own cartoons. Free.
Fish School
Fish School exposes your preschooler to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. Free.
