New library program geared for children with special needs
By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent
Last January, Corinne Nordigian and Tara Buesing launched the Sensory Story Hour once a month on Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Twin Lakes branch of Community Library.
The next is scheduled for April 16. There is room for 10 students and one caregiver per student.
The intended audience is children from ages 2 to 5 with a wide variety of disabilities from physical to emotional to intellectual.
The goal of this program is to include children and families who may not otherwise attend story time programs.
And the program is planned with them in mind. The stories and activities target tactile, auditory, visual taste and smell senses. There are activities for muscles and joints to help improve movement, balance and coordination.
“Our supervisor, Anna Paul, suggested the program to us,” Nordigian said, “and Tara and I researched the possibilities.”
Nordigian and Buesing also attended a youth services workshop in September 2015.
“Sensory Storytime involves more movement activities than a traditional story time to keep the children engaged and active,” Buesing explained. “We also have special toys and seating options to help the children feel more comfortable in the story time room. A typical session includes stories, songs, movement activities, bubbles, and structured playtime.”
“The presenter, Renee Grassi,” Buesing continued, “is a librarian from Illinois who presents workshops on serving patrons with special needs.”
The activities are varied and presented in a regular structure to each program and Nordigian and Buesing present the program every time.
The story time starts and ends with a song and during the free time, participants engage in some physical activities and coloring.
The leaders use a variety of visual aids to help children focus their attention. There is a schedule board and as each portion of the program is complete, it is noted on the board.
A flannel board is used to display figures as the story is told, giving the children a visual aid in addition to seeing the pictures as the story is read.
A regular feature is the Mystery Box. When the children arrive, the box is covered. At playtime, it is opened and the children may explore whatever is inside.
Attendees should are asked to register since the program is currently limited to 10 children with a caregiver. A smaller group allows children and families to feel comfortable in the room without overwhelming or over-stimulating the children, according to the leaders.
People can register for the program by calling (262) 877-4281 or visiting the Community Library website, www.communitylib.org and click on the program registration tab.