Akron Life December 2022

FOREVER YOUNG

to certified therapy dogs Dec. 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 19 and 31 at vari ous locations. Around winter break, kids can enjoy experimental and sensorial science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs that help them explore nature and celebrate the season. Every sec ond Tuesday at the main library, take part in Time to Play for 2- to 5-year-olds, and on Dec. 13, a whimsical wonderland themed program involves fun with snow, lights, bells and rib bon. Try winter experiments at the Library Scientists: Snowy Steam program Dec. 20 at the Northwest Akron library for 8- to 12-year-olds. Participating in programs and story times can inspire grand parents to be more engaged. When reading to kids at home, use imagination to tell a story and read in animated tones. It

also helps to ask kids questions such as, What would you do if you were in the story and this was happening? What would you think? What’s going to happen next? “This can make a child feel like they are part of that context,” Carney says. “It can impact their readiness for school by develop ing critical thinking skills or expressing themselves verbally.” For kids up to 5 years old, try interactive books with repetition or rhyming. When they become readers around first grade, help them explore favorite and dif ferent genres. For kids between third and fifth grades, ask them what topics interest them and then choose books on those top ics, or try a new format. “There are the graphic novels that seemed to be a really big hit,” Carney says. “They are very literature-based, excellent

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