Book Buddies, which is designed for 2 ½ to 5 year-olds, as well as their caregivers, provides children in a group setting with experiences in reading, writing, and language development, while providing caregivers with information about early literacy. The program, which consists of nine monthly sessions and accepts up to 15 registered families, lasts from September to May.

Before each session of the program begins, children and their caregivers sign in, fill out nametags, and share books with one another. After all the caregivers have arrived, the books are put aside and a welcome song begins the program. After a finger play(s), a story, which enhances the literacy skill that is to be covered for the session, is read aloud in a circle time setting. After the second story retelling in which the children actively participate, the youngsters are dismissed to an adjacent room so that they can experience learning centers. These learning centers, which are staffed by the Youth Services Department personnel and other volunteers, include such activities as sensory play, writing, and dramatic play. While the children are experiencing the learning centers, information on various aspects of early literacy are shared with caregivers. As the caregivers absorb and discuss this information, they also create manipulatives that can be used at home to provide early literacy experiences for their children.

At the end of the session, the caregivers receive a hardbound copy of the circle time book, Parent Pages (a combination of activities, songs, and rhymes that can be used to reinforce early literacy skills), and Parent & Child magazine.

Originally lead by members of the Early Childhood Alliance when the program began in 2004, the Youth Services Department of WCPL now conducts the program. For more information about the Book Buddies program or other early literacy programs, contact Patricia Schroader, Youth Services Librarian, at (574) 267-6011 or by e-mail.