Jun 6, 2023
Newborns Born June 4-10 Receive Special Welcome From Libraries for Children's Book Week
–
Jun 6, 2023
Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL) will continue its annual tradition of welcoming newborns to the wonders of books. Every Fort Bend County baby born during FBCL’s Children’s Book Week -- June 4 through 10, 2023 -- may receive a special baby book bag, courtesy of the Friends of Fort Bend County Library.
Each bag contains a book, a bib, a special certificate, a list of suggested reading for children, and information on parenting and on library services. These bags represent the library system’s commitment to providing library services for county residents throughout their lives, beginning at birth.
“We hope to start every child born in hospitals in Fort Bend County on a successful road to life-long learning,” says Susan King, Coordinator of Youth Services for FBCL. “We distribute the baby book bags to babies born during that week at area Fort Bend County hospitals, but ALL Fort Bend County babies who are born during the week of June 4 through 10 are eligible to receive one, while supplies last.”
Families of Fort Bend babies born at other locations during this period should call the Youth Services department, at 281-633-4762, to receive their book bag, while supplies last.
Not only is reading to a child a wonderful opportunity for bonding between parent and child, it has also been shown to stimulate brain development. Even the youngest baby can benefit from the chance to develop eye focus by looking at the page of a book, while being comforted by the familiar voice of a parent. Reading aloud to children exposes them to the sounds and cadences of a human voice, resulting in an earlier and stronger grasp of vocabulary skills.
Helping children develop early-literacy skills is a major goal for FBCL. Parents are encouraged to register their children for FBCL’s annual “Summer Reading Challenge.” Children from infancy through school-age earn rewards for the number of books they read (or are read to them) during the summer.
Parents can register their child for the Summer Reading Challenge by going to the FBCL website, clicking on the “SRC Sign-Up image, and using the link for the Beanstack app to sign up. Easy-to-use online reading logs are available.
For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the library system’s Communications Office (281-633-
Children's Summer Schedule of Activities at Cinco Ranch Branch Library
–
Jun 6, 2023
Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Boulevard in Katy, presents a variety of free children’s programs every month. Families with children of all ages are invited to join in the fun and earn rewards through FBCL’s Summer Reading Challenge!
Craft packets will be given out at the end of each program, so that children may take them home to enjoy. Materials for these programs were made possible by the Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library.
Mother Goose Time – for pre-walking infants from age 1 month to 12 months – takes place on Tuesdays, from 10:15 to 10:45 am. This program provides caregiver/infant multisensory circle-time activities -- including simple sign language, folksongs and lullabies, and finger plays -- that are especially designed to stimulate babies’ social, emotional, and physical development through rhythm and music. Attendance is limited to 15 infants. Registration required.
The library is unable to accommodate daycares and school groups at these activities.
These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, or to register for the typing class, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), click on “Classes & Events,” select “Cinco Ranch Branch Library,” and find the program. Participants may also register by calling the library at 281-395-1311, or by visiting the library.