Three times each year Appleton Public Library Children's Services offers youngsters age 18 months to five years the opportunity to participate in preschool story times. Each six-week session includes book sharing, songs, finger games, flannelboard stories, and the occasional short video. Adults who accompany the children are encouraged to take an active role in the story time by marching, singing, or clapping along and helping their young partners learn the finger games. Each week of the session follows a special theme, and adults receive information on additional materials to help make the experience last. There are also theme-related activity suggestions to do at home.

A variety of daytime and evening story times are offered each session to more easily fit into busy family schedules. Children ages three to five may be registered for one of five different weekly story times; children ages 18 to 30 months four times from which their caretakers may choose.

Fostering a love of reading and learning is what APL story times are all about. Children who are read to consistently from a young age tend to develop language, reading, writing, and study skills faster - making the transition to school easier. Story times also afford youngsters an opportunity to interact with other children their age and practice social skills. Best of all, they're fun.

Registration for the next Appleton Public Library preschool story time session begins the first week of January 2000. The winter story times themselves run from January 10th through February 18th. Check the APL children's programming web page for specific days and times at www.apl.org/pages/childrens/programs/storytimes2.html . For more information or to register a young friend for this free program, call the Children's Services staff at 832-6187. After all, they're never too young for books!

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