The Sylvan Lake Municipal Library is hoping to keep kids reading over the summer months with the Summer Reading Program. The free program is open to those ages 2-17, for the English program.
The TD Summer Reading Program will also offer a French program to those in French Immersion.
Alecia Daniels, the Summer Reading Program coordinator, says the French version of the program is open to students of all ages.
“We’ve offered the French Reading Program in years past, and I think it has been successful,” said Daniels.
The main focus of the program is to keep students reading, even though they are no longer in school.
It is common for students to stop reading as much, or entirely, once classes are done in June, according to Daniels.
“A lot of kids, after June, don’t read at all. At least if they are here, they are encouraged to continue reading,” said Daniels.
To help further promote reading over the summer months, Daniels has a visual representation planned for those signed up.
She plans to have a stuffed teddy bear holding a pot on display in the library.
“Each time one of the kids finishes a book, they will get to put a gold fish into the pot. Hopefully it will encourage them.”
The participants for the 2017 Summer Reading Club will be immersed in Canadiana, through books, music, art and crafts, as part of the program’s theme: Canada’s 150.
Daniels plans to showcase different aspects of Canadian culture throughout the eight-week program.
“We will be reading a few Robert Munsch books,” said Daniels.
Daniels says she is most looking forward to reading A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch, saying the book really resonated with her when she first read it.
Daniels has plans to keep the Canadian theme a little different each week.
Her plans include having a week devoted to Canadian folk-lore and another on food.
Each session is tailored to the age group. The younger kids will do more arts and crafts with short, easy stories and the older kids may have games of trivia instead of the quick little stories.
“We try to make it enjoyable for each age group that participates.”
Daniels hopes to see more teenagers come to the program this year, as the numbers for the age group have dropped in recent years.
There are specific times and days set up for each age group: Tuesdays from 10:15-11 a.m. is set for ages 2-3; 10:15-11 a.m. on either Wednesdays or Fridays is set for ages 4-6; ages 7-8 will either be held on Thursdays from 10:15-11:15 a.m. or Fridays at 1-2 p.m.; Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 10:15-11 a.m. is planned for students aged 9-12 and Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m. is the planned session for teens.
The French program will encompass all ages at the same time. It will run Mondays from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Daniels has planned a “kick-off party” on June 24 from 1-2 p.m. Those looking to sign up for the free program can do so during the party, or by talking to a librarian.