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Preschool & Kids Programs in English
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.
FAMILY STORY BUNDLES
Pressed for time? Need some picture books and activities for your little one(s)? Request a Family Story Bundle: A ready-made bundle which will include picture books, a song, and instructions for a craft based on age and theme. Simply email or call us with your request for a Family Story Bundle with the age and desired theme. We will do our best to find related books according to what is available or a different selection will be made. We will call you when your order is ready for curbside pickup. 613.445.5331
mylibrary@russellbiblio.com
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Preschool & Kids Programs – Summer 2021
Hidden Worlds: Under the Microscope
ONLINE ACTIVITY
Tuesday, June 29th – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Presented by the Canada Science and Technology Museum. For children of all ages. Bilingual show. Free. Click the link to register and receive the Zoom invitation: http://bit.ly/2KpHxfz
Registration begins June 15th!
Summer Reading Challenges for all ages including weekly prizes and grand prizes.
For more details on how to register, visit our Summer Reading Challenges page.
Storytime in the Park & Family Activities (English storytime)
In-person activity
Tuesdays 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Storytime at 10:00 AM (July 6th to August 17th)
Play games with the Embrun Family Centre and listen to fascinating stories. Activity for the whole family. Locations change each week. The parks are in Russell. Registration is required to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Please call 613-443-1614 or email maisonembrun@bellnet.ca to register in advance as space is limited.
July 6 – Keith M. Boyd Park
July 13 – Russell Centennial Pool Park
July 20 – Keith M. Boyd Park
July 27 – Russell Centennial Pool Park
August 10 – Stiver Park
August 17 – Stiver Park
Storytime in the Park & Family Activities (French storytime)
In-person activity
Wednesdays 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Storytime at 10:00 AM (July 7th to August 18th)
Play games with the Embrun Family Centre and listen to fascinating stories. Activity for the whole family. Locations change each week. The parks are in Embrun. Registration is required to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Please call 613-443-1614 or email maisonembrun@bellnet.ca to register in advance as space is limited.
July 7 – Yahoo Park
July 14 – Melanie Park
July 21 – Yahoo Park
July 28 – Melanie Park
August 11 – Bourdeau Park
August 18 – Pico Park
StoryWalks
from July 5 to August 21
This summer, enjoy reading a story outside as you stroll along from one page to the next! We have two locations with bilingual stories:
-Located along the fence leading up to La Croisée/ the Embrun Branch (1215 St-Augustin, Embrun). This story has been provided by the TD Summer Reading Club.
-Throughout the Reading Garden at the Russell Branch (1053 Concession, Russell). Thank you to the South Nation Conservation Authority for their financial support through the Community Environmental Outreach Grant.
Let us know your thoughts about the Story Walks by filling a paper ballot found next to the book return box in Embrun and at the front desk in Russell for your chance to win a $5 Dairy Queen gift card.
Summer Pen Pal Program
Until August 21
This summer, our Library has been paired with the Jolys Public Library in St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba. Register to be paired with a child similar in age at the Jolys Public Library and we will send the letters on your behalf. There’s no need to write your address as the libraries will be the ones sending and receiving the letters. We will stick to first names only and will proof read the letters before sharing them. Letters can be written weekly, we will even supply you with writing prompts and materials. We will run the pen pal program for the duration of the Summer Reading Challenges (until August 21st). If you wish to continue communicating with your pen pal, the Library can no longer send the letters on your behalf and takes no responsibility afterwards. Ages 6-12.
How It Works:
-Please return your letter to the Library by Thursday at 1:00 each week.
-We will forward a weekly package to our Sister Library.
-Pick up your letters at the Library (no specific date given due to uncertainty of Canada Post delivery)
-Have fun!
Friendship Bracelets (FULL)
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, July 8 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Join us as we show you how to make a simple friendship bracelet. Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 6+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
Wormy Worm with South Nation Conservation Group
Online Activity – Special Guest
Wednesday, July 14 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Learn all about composting, worms and bacteria, and their importance to ecosystem cleanliness and health. This teaches composting and vermi-composting practices by demonstrating how microbiota and worms work to break down your garbage, which produces less waste and healthier soil. Learn how to make your own compost and what you can and can’t put in it. Bilingual. All ages. Free. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
DIY Grass Heads (FULL)
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, July 15 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Join us as we make a grass head together! Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 4+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
Little Ray’s Reptiles
Online Activity – Special Guest
Monday, July 19 – 1:00 PM on Zoom
Let’s meet some reptiles in this Zoom meeting. Bilingual. All ages. Free. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
Animal Bingo
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, July 22 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
It’s Bingo time! Play for your chance to win small prizes! Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 4+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
Harry Potter Trivia (in English)
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, July 29 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Are you a Harry Potter expert? Test your knowledge in this Kahoot! Harry Potter Trivia. Wear your house colours! Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 6+ with the help of an adult. Free. In English. Register between June 15th–July 2nd.
Music with Kacper
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, August 5 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Kacper is a local musician in Russell. He will demonstrate some musical fundamentals in this interactive Zoom activity. Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 4+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between July 12th–July 30th.
DIY Pizza Kits with Académie du Gourmet
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Wednesday, August 11 – 11:00 AM on Zoom
Maryse from Académie du Gourmet will walk you through how to make your very own pizza and Caesar salad dressing. Bon appétit! Cost: $25 (Académie du Gourmet will donate a portion of the sales to the Library to buy and add Kids Cookbooks to our collection).
Register in advance to reserve your spot. Ages 5+ with the help of an adult. Bilingual. Register between July 12th–July 30th. Payment and pick up at Académie du Gourmet (993 Notre Dame St., Embrun) on August 10th & 11th.
Cooking Activity
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, August 12 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Join us as we make a yummy snack and learn about kitchen safety. Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 4+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between July 12th–July 30th.
Having Fun with Science!
Online Activity – Special Guest
Wednesday, August 18 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Join the Engineering Outreach Team from the University of Ottawa to discover cool demonstrations and scientific experiments! During this virtual workshop, families will be amazed with chemical reactions, fantastic forces and physics tricks! All ages. Free. Bilingual. Register between July 12th–July 30th.
Cotton Ball Launcher
Online Activity – Take & Make Kit
Thursday, August 19 – 2:00 PM on Zoom
Create your own cotton ball launcher and put it to the test. Register in advance & pick up your kit at the Library. Ages 4+ with the help of an adult. Free. Bilingual. Register between July 12th–July 30th.
Kids programs and events in French »
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.
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.
