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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.
Storytime and Crafts with Kristina
Russell Branch
Children aged 3 to 4.
Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30 AM
September 18 – December 11 (13 weeks)
Cost: $25. Places are limited.
Registration required.
Babies and Books
Russell Branch
Songs, rhymes, fingerplays and other book-related activities.
Children 0 to 18 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Thursdays 10 to 10:30 AM
September 19 to December 12
No cost. Drop-in program.
Toddler Time with Sarah
Russell Branch
Stories, songs and games.
Children 18 to 36 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Fridays 10 to 10:30 AM
September 20 to December 13
No cost. Drop-in program.
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
Junior Book Club
Russell Branch
Children Grades 3 to 5.
No cost. New members welcome!
First Thursday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
October 3
Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
November 7
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
December 5
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
Youth Book Club
Russell Branch
Children Grades 6 to 8.
No cost. New members welcome!
First Tuesday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
October 1
Supergifted by Gordon Korman
November 5
The End of the Wild by Nicole Helget
December 3
The Secret of the Silver Mines by Shane Peacock
Build robots with Tinkerbots
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old and up.
Saturdays 11 AM to 4 PM
September 21 to December 14
Reserve one of three Tinkerbots kit and have fun creating different robots.
Reservation possible up to a week in advance for a 2 hour period of your choice. Children 7 to 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Free.
Minecraft Club *FULL
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
3rd Tuesday of the month 4 to 5 PM
(September 17, October 15, November 19)
Tablets provided. No cost.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Brixology Club (CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION)
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
Saturdays 2 to 3 PM
September 28 to November 2
Step into the shoes of an engineer! Using LEGO® bricks, build a different engineering-themed project in each class.
Animated by Mad Science.
Cost: $65 per child (6 weeks) / Bilingual program.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids Events in English
Storytime in Pyjamas *FULL
Halloween edition
Russell Branch
Children 5-8 years old.
Friday, October 25 6:30 PM
Halloween stories, crafts and special treats.
Dress as your favorite character.
Costs: $7. Places are limited. Registration required.
Storytime in Pyjamas
Holiday Edition
Russell Branch
Children 5-8 years old.
Friday, December 13 6:30 PM
Holiday stories, crafts and special treats.
Costs: $7. Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids programs and events in French »
Click here to register!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.
