Give a child the opportunity to learn strong literacy skills, and you’ll raise a little human with whom you will ultimately have more fulfilling and, um, possibly challenging conversations.
As the saying goes, 'kids say the darndest things.'
Here at Airdrie Public Library (APL), we often overhear conversations between children and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers, that elicit a chuckle or two.
For example, from a child leaving the library: “I don’t want to have fun; I want to stay at the library.”
A preschooler holding more books than she could carry replied to her mother’s concerns: “I can do it mommy, I’m not being naïve.”
A boy in the children’s area playing with dinosaur figurines from the play cart provided a science lesson to a younger sibling: “This is a Tee-ran-nee-sour-us. They had little arms and were alive during the Crus-steak-us.”
A grandfather in the Children’s Area surprises his grandchild.
Child: “Grandpa! You’re here to read books, too?”
A preschooler sitting on the floor surrounded by picture books had a thoughtful conversation with her mother.
Child: “I think I need more books with words.”
Mother: “Are you getting too old for picture books now?”
Child: “No, mommy, but words make me smart.”
The central theme running through these comments is simple and very intuitive of these little humans: libraries are places where everyone regardless of age, gender, or ability can participate in the adventure of discovery and lifelong learning.
Children are bursting with imagination, creativity, and curiosity, and public spaces such as libraries give them the opportunity to encourage those traits and to experience a sense of community with fellow learners.
People of all sizes and ages come to the library for a variety of reasons, but many come to participate in the magic and wonder of knowledge and literacy, even if they can’t quite pronounce Tyrannosaurus.
For more information on library programs and resources, visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca
