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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
February 5 – April 29 (13 weeks)
Cost: $25. Places are limited. Registration required.
Babies and Books
Russell Branch
Songs, rhymes, finger plays and other book-related activities.
Children 0 to 18 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Thursdays 10 to 10:30 AM
January 16 – April 30
No cost. Drop-in program.
Toddler Time
Russell Branch
Stories, songs and games.
Children 18 to 36 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Fridays 10 to 10:30 AM
February 7 to April 24
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
February 6
Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris
March 5
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
April 2
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
May 7
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Youth Book Club
Russell Branch
Children grades 6 to 8.
No cost. New members welcome!
First Tuesday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
February 4
A World Below by Wesley King
March 3
Chase: Get Ready to Run by Linwood Barclay
April 7
The Crazy Man by Pamela Porter
May 5
Inside Hudson Pickle by Yolanda Ridge
June 2
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
Build Robots with Tinkerbots Kits
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
Saturdays 11 AM to 4 PM
January 11 to May 30
Reserve a Tinkerbots kit and have fun building different robots.
Children 7 to 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
No cost.
Minecraft Clubs
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
Club 1: Last Tuesday of the month 4 to 5 PM
Club 2: Last Wednesday of the month 4 to 5 PM
Tablets provided. No cost.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids Events in English
Storytime in Pyjamas
“It’s Spring!”
Russell Branch
Children 5-8 years old.
Friday, April 17 6:30 PM
Spring stories, crafts and special treats.
Costs: $7. Places are limited. Registration required.
Chews Wisely
Russell Branch
Educational program presented by the
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Saturday, February 8 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
For families with kids 3 to 10 years old.
Through fun activities and experiments, learn about healthy eating habits and the importance of physical activity.
No cost. Registration required.
March Break Fun at the Library
Russell Branch
Activities are free.
LEGO Challenge
Monday to Thursday,
March 16-19 – 1 to 2 PM
Children 4 and up.
Build a new challenge every day. Come show us your master builder talents. Drop-in.
Tweens Learn to Knit
Monday to Thursday,
March 16-19 – 3 to 4 PM
Tweens 8 to 14 years old.
Learn the basics of knitting and get practice by knitting your own project. Materials provided. Registration required. Places are limited.
Dungeons and Dragons
Thursday, March 19 – 1 PM
Children 10 and up.
Tommy will be your game master through an epic adventure. No experience needed. Registration required.
The Zoo Crew Show
Russell Branch
For children of all ages. Bilingual show.
Friday, March 20 – 2 PM
Tickets: $3 per child. Free for children under one year old. Places are limited.
Kids programs and events in French »
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.
