Program: Day Care programs
Time: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Age: 3-5 years
Instructor: Connie Walker
Began: 2012
Funding: This program is funded in part with a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Missouri State Library.
Goal: Providing service and outreach for Moniteau County children to help get them ready for literacy.
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By Michelle Brooks
Emily Bilyeu, 15, loves to read.
For the last three summers, she been able to share that love for books with little ones at six local day cares through the Moniteau County Library @ Wood Place's day care program.
Recently at the Little Pintos Preschool and Playhouse, Bilyeu sat in front of a dozen wide-eyed and energy-filled preschoolers to read two books to them.
"It's good kids see someone else come in from the community instead of their regular caregivers," Bilyeu said.
After the read-aloud, the group was divided. One half worked on a shape-matching activity while the other played a mini-bowling game.
The 30-minute routine in repeated at each of the participating preschools each week through the summer.
The older children from some of these preschools are taken to the library for their own, age-appropriate activities.
But if the library did not bring its resources to the day care, Owner Tabatha Oswald said they would not be able to take the little ones there.
Reading is a part of daily life at most day cares.
"This shows them another way to enjoy reading," Oswald said. "They see other people enjoy reading and everyone loves a guest speaker."