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February 11, 2016
Before many babies can walk or even utter a word, little boys and girls are swiping through iPhone screens and tinkering with a vibrantly-colored game on a family member’s iPad. Technology is around them at all times, offering a world of avenues to create, explore and learn.
In an effort to keep up with these little learners, the East Houma Branch Library recently launched a pilot program, Digital Dawlins, tailored specifically to those ages 2-5 eager to learn in a new and more interactive way.
A small group of toddlers and their caregivers nestled on the floor Thursday inside the library’s meeting room, the first bunch to enjoy the new tech-centric story time. As an animated Pete the Cat appeared on a pull-down screen, little bodies bounced along, captivated as the white kitten traipsed through strawberries, blueberries and mud with upbeat rhythms serving as the soundtrack for his adventure.
“Let’s sing together!” librarian Devi Guerrero said as she corralled little ones in attendance to join in.
A telling of “Caillou and Gilbert” came next, two recognizable faces that true the pint-sized crowd into a hush as they watched the little boy and his pet cat play together.
During the hour-long program, to be held every Thursday at 10 a.m., participants are treated to a variety of stories from the Tumble Books database, a subscription service with over 1,000 book titles like “Ella
Enchanted,” “Ramona Quimby Age 8” and “Biscuit,” all geared toward young readers. East Houma branch staff is also on-hand to lead simple activities to keep little ones engaged.
“We’ll be allowing [Tumble Books] to read to the children and we’ll also be doing some interactive, repetition-type of exercises with them,” Branch Manager Rhonda Madison said. “Colorful things that will get their attention. We’ll also be sending home with their caregiver different apps and also explaining how they can view our Tumble Books at the same time.”
Being able to access the books at home free of charge means an opportunity to continue building reading and fundamental skills in a way many young learners pick up on very quickly even when not at the library, Madison explained.
“I have a granddaughter and I watch how, based on what device you have, they know how to open it up,” she said. “She subscribed to one of her Baby Bums (nursery rhyme videos) in less than 30 seconds. She can’t even talk. These kids are so smart and they need to get that exposure.”
Although there are mixed reviews regarding how much time children should spend using technology – the American Academy of Pediatrics reports young learners spend an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media – the program is meant to be a complement to reading from the pages of a traditional book, Madison said, not replacing but enhancing an activity many children enjoy.
“We’ll still have books. You can’t beat that one-on-one, sitting down with your young one and reading,” Madison said. “We’ll still have programs that continue but we’re trying to get a little more interactive because the community is becoming more interactive with technology.”
Toddlers’ eyes are glued to the screen during storytime at the East Houma Branch Library. Young folks ages 2-5 are able to take part in the new, interactive event.
