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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 12 – December 5 (13 weeks)
Cost: $25. Places are limited.
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
October 4 to December 6
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
October 12 and 26,
November 9 and 23,
December 7 (5 sessions)
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.
First Thursday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
October 4: The Losers Club by Andrew Clements
November 1: Stuff of the Dump by Clive King
December 6: The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson
No cost. Places are limited.
Youth Book Club
Russell Branch
Children Grades 6 to 8.
First Tuesday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
October 2: Wonder by R. J. Palacio
November 6: Pioneer Poltergeist by Mel Malton
December 4: The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
No cost. Places are limited.
LEGO Tinkerbots Club
Russell Branch
Children 7 to 9 years old.
1st Wednesday of the month 3:45 to 4:45 PM
(October 3, November 7, December 5)
Equipment provided. No cost.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Have Fun with Tinkerbots
Russell Branch
Children 10 years old and up.
1st Saturday of the month 2 to 3 PM
(October 6, November 3, December 1)
Reserve a Tinkerbots kit and have fun
creating different robots.
Minecraft Club
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
3rd Tuesday of the month 4 to 5 PM
(September 18, October 16, November 20)
Tablets provided. No cost.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids Events in English
Meet Children’s author
FRANK EDWARDS
Russell Branch
Children 3-7 years old.
Saturday, October 27 10:30 AM
A family brunch will be served starting at 10 AM.
Cost: $3. Registration recommended.
Event sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Storytime in Pyjamas
Halloween Edition
Russell Branch
Children 5-7 years old.
Friday, October 26 6:30 PM
Spring stories, crafts and special treats.
Costs: $7. Places are limited.
Storytime in Pyjamas
Holiday Edition
Russell Branch
Children 5-7 years old.
Friday, December 14 6:30 PM
Spring stories, crafts and special treats.
Costs: $7. Places are limited.
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.
