New For Fall!

Summer is officially over here. Kids went back to class last week. However, I'm here to report the best part of SRP and summer programs this year: Less programming plus less stress equaled more numbers. Our statistics doubled this year! I think we're on to something good!

image from gifhy

I have pretty much gotten SRP 2014 out of my system. I have one more bulletin board to take down, but aside from that, the summer program binder is put away and I'm gearing up for fall. Here's a list of the stuff I'm working on:

• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: I was inspired by Marge and Luci in my amazing spring programming class to do this program. It has such an impact and is so easy to set up! I officially kick it off in September, however I have made an early bird signup today and tomorrow for my library's Facebook followers. I feel like I'm Paul McCartney being screamed at by eager young ladies...caregivers are clamoring to get their hands on the 1KB4K reading logs.

• Mother Goose on the Loose: I have morphed my Baby Time into MGOL. I attended a workshop with the MGOL founder, Dr. Betsy Diamont-Cohen, and was amazed by the science and care put into the program. The layout is similar to what I was originally doing, but it's "beefier," meaning there's just a lot more to it. I have wanted to bulk up my Baby Time, and had incorporated Very Ready Reading last year, but it didn't mesh with my personal style. MGOL is, I feel, more dynamic and "me." I'm very excited to try it, and I'll keep everyone posted on how it's going.

• Stories and More!: This is storytime for 2-6 year olds. This will be a transitional semester for 2 year olds. Since I'm starting MGOL for ages 0-2, I'll be gradually moving the lower age of storytime up to 3 by Spring 2015. As far as layout goes, I'm reverting back to a bit more structure than I had this summer. However, overall my storytime is pretty free-flowing compared to others I have observed.

• Pre-K Picassos: Art for 4-6 year olds! Yes! I'll be discussing an artist, then kids AND caregivers will be doing projects in the style of the artist. Process art! Caregiver involvement! High fives for everyone! This will be my only afternoon class. I'm hoping it will bring in all the kiddos who go to preschool and can't make it to 11:00 AM storytime. I have already overheard parents talking about bringing their kids-who-are-in-school kids, so I'm stoked.

There are other standalone programs, but these will be the bulk of my next 13 weeks. I have already planned on taking a break in December, as winter/spring classes are a huge stretch of time. How did summer fare for you? Anything exciting coming up in September?