The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer :: The Federation's Poltically Independent News Source

Preschoolers Benefit from Library Reading Program

By Monique Washington

Nevis Public Library

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Students from three preschools on Nevis are benefitting from the Preschool Story-time program at the Charlestown public library, says one of the instructors.

Every Tuesday morning pre-K students from the Charlestown, Maude Crosse, and St. Thomas preschools attend the weekly reading sessions at the public library.

Anastasia Paris, library technician, reads to her assigned group, the St. Thomas Preschool with the use of a large story book which enables all the students to see the pictures as Parris reads. The students also do “picture reading”, telling Paris their version of what is happening in the story. After the story the students sing and sometimes they do arts and crafts.

One student told The Observer that she likes singing during library time and taking a ride from her school to the library.

Paris told The Observer that the goal of the program is to impress on the children at an early age the importance of coming to the library and reading.

“Charlestown Preschool approached us first a couple years ago and they wanted their children to be around the library setting and getting accustomed to library habits. We teach the children how to be quite at the library and to respect other persons who are using the library. We tell them the proper way they are supposed to handle books, etcetera,” Paris said. “The students love being at the library.”

The students are also encouraged to tell their parents about their time at the library. Paris said that it is important to have the parents bring the children to the library and if they are not a member, they should join.

“Parents should bring their child to the library and take books for them so that they can take it home and get use to the whole process of coming to the library and borrowing books early on. Parents can bring the children and let the children choose the books, or they can just sit here and read,” she said.

Paris revealed that reading to the students is a fun and relaxing experience which she enjoys immensely.

“The children’s take on things are so different to the way we look at things as adults. It is always good to hear what is going on with them. It is a fun time being with them; it is a relaxing time for me. It is as much of a learning experience for me as it is for them,” she said.

Paris added that other schools have expressed interest in joining the program.