Is your little one nervous about going back to school? It is quite common! Starting school, whether it is your first year or you’ve done it before, can be scary. There are a lot of changes and new things to learn. Here are some tips to help alleviate worry and anxiety about going back to school.

Talk and listen

Have an open conversation about what is worrying them about going back to school. Ask what makes this a nerve wracking time so you can help them problem solve or prepare for specific situations. If they are not able to express what is scary – that’s ok! Assure them that being nervous is a normal emotion and reaction.

Prepare

Walking through anxiety provoking situations can be extremely helpful. If they are nervous about something specific, role play what the situation might look like and how they can address it or ask for help. If you are able to, drive to the school and visit so they can become familiar with where they will be each day.

Involve them in decisions

Have them help pick out their going back to school supplies, backpack, lunchbox or whatever else they may need for school. Getting something in their favorite color or including their favorite superhero or TV character can help make this a fun and exciting time!

Start the routine

Help get them into the swing of going back to school by starting the routine early. Change is hard, so the more time kids have to adjust, the better! This could involve setting a bed time, wake up time, eating and getting dressed in the morning, or whatever your family decides to do to!

Friends

Help connect them to their school friends! Reach out to other families who will be attending the same school or will be in the same class so they can meet. It is much easier to do something new when you have a friendly, familiar face by your side.

Calming exercises

Try some calming exercises to help alleviate worry and anxiety. Calming exercises are great to practice when you are feeling calm so that when you are anxious you are already an expert in a technique to help! Some calming exercises include belly breathing, 54321 grounding, or doing a little stretch!

Read books

Check out our Back-to-School picture book section for stories about going to school that children can relate to. Need other book recommendations? Just ask a librarian; we are happy to help! 

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica

Mindfulness is an activity you can practice year-round, but here are some summer inspired activities to encourage mindful moments for your little ones.

1. Gardening
   Whether it is at home or participating in a gardening program at the BALibrary, gardening is a great way to connect to nature! What colors do you see? How does the dirt feel between your fingers? Notice how the flowers smell.
2. Cloud watching
   Gaze up at the clouds and see what shapes you can see! Better yet, lay in the grass and notice how it feels beneath your body.
3. Blowing bubbles
   Get out your bubbles and wand! Pay attention your breath as you inhale and exhale to make the bubbles.
4. Draw with sidewalk chalk
   Get creative and draw something you love! What colors do you use? What shapes are within your drawings? What texture does the chalk have?
5. Nature walk
   Put on those walking shoes and explore nature! What do you see? What colors do you notice? What does the ground feel like beneath your feet? Do you feel the sun on your face or the wind in your hair? What do you hear or smell? Name anything else you notice!

Interested in programs related to mindfulness? Check out Morning Garden Story Time, Loose Parts Nature Play, Nature Art, Nature I Spy, Meditation Story Time, and Little Kids, Big Feelings.

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica 

Mental health is important all year round, but May is the month where we bring awareness to this important topic! Mental health is just like physical health – you need to do things to take care of your mind so that it works at its best. This will help you do all the things you want to do like coming to the library to play and read!

To learn more about mental health, check out our Wellness Wonders: Mental Health Awareness Month Books mobile display. The display includes Board Books, Picture Books, Juvenile Non-Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, and Teen Fiction books. The mobile display will be up all month long located in the YS department near the beginning of the non-fiction shelves.

Want to participate in mental health focused programming? Check out Little Kids, Big Feelings and Meditation Story Time or check out our Early Learning Mindfulness Kits.

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica

Gratitude can have a big impact on our lives. It has been proven to be effective in improving mood, increasing ability to cope with emotions, decreasing stress, and so many other positive benefits. Let’s practice showing our gratitude in a creative way - with a scavenger hunt! Use the list below to find what sparks your joy and makes you smile.

1. Something you enjoy looking at
2. Something that is useful to you
3. Something that is your favorite color
4. Something that makes you smile when you see it
5. Something that smells good
6. Something that makes you laugh
7. Something you enjoy in the morning
8. Something you enjoy at night
9. Something that means a lot to you
10. Something you love to spend time with
11. Something that reminds you of the people you love
12. Something you created
13. Something you like to share with others
14. Something that makes you feel calm
15. Something you love

Looking for more fun activities? 

Gratitude for Kids - 9 Ways to Practice Gratitude with Kids ⋆ Journal for Kids

Learn more about why gratitude is so important:

Why gratitude is important for kids? | WOW Parenting

8 Reasons Why Gratitude is Important for Kids — Peake Academy

The Positive Impact of Gratitude on Mental Health | Psychology Today

We’d love to hear about your experience with the scavenger hunt! Chat with us at the Youth Services Reference Desk, or email us at youthservices@balibrary.org.

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica 

We have a new line of Backpacks in the Youth Department! These are the Beginning Reader Kits - a set of nine backpacks designed for pre-readers and beginning readers. There are games, BOB Book sets, and other activities to do that will introduce and build reading concepts. The kits are: CVC Words, Letter Recognition, Word Recognition, Sight Words 1 + 2, Rhyming, Word Families, Word Building, and Storytelling. Find all nine kits in our catalog to see the contents of each kit and to place any of them on hold. If you check any out, be sure to let us know what you think by filling out the provided comment card!

Be sure to check out our other kits as well! STEM Kits, Early Learning Kits, and Board Games are all available in the Youth Department!

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Claire 

If you can't make it to Baby Time this month, or if you just can't get enough and want to recreate it at home-we've got you covered! Here are all of the wonderful rhymes we'll be sharing in our October sessions.

 All the Little Babies

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,

all the king's horses and all the king's men

couldn't put Humpty together again.

Diddle Diddle Dumpling

Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John

Went to bed with his trousers on.

One shoe off, and the other shoe on.

Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John.

Pizza, Pickle, Pumpernickel

Pizza, pickle, pumpernickel,

My little one shall have a tickle!

One for your nose,

And one for your toes,

And one for your tummy, where all the food goes!

Baby Goes Bumpy Boo

Baby goes bumpy boo.

Baby goes bumpy bye.

Baby goes bumpy bee.

On top of my knee.

I bounce you to the left.

I bounce you to the right.

I bounce you up and down.

I bounce you out of sight.

Baby goes bumpy boo.

Baby goes bumpy bye.

Baby goes bumpy bee.

On top of my knee.

I bounce you very fast.

I bounce you very slow.

I bounce you up and down.

And back we both will go!

I Bounce You Here, I Bounce You There

I bounce you here, I bounce you there

I bounce you, bounce you everywhere.

I tickle you here, I tickle you there

I tickle you, tickle you everywhere.

I hug you here, I hug you there,

I hug you, hug you everywhere!

Cheek, Chin

Cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Cheek, chin, nose.
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Cheek, chin, toes.
Cheek, chin, cheek, chin,
Up baby goes!

Looking for something to do with your little one? See a list of the library’supcoming events for young children.

    Youth Services Specialist Stefanie 

If you can't make it to Baby Time this month, or if you just can't get enough and want to recreate it at home-we've got you covered! Here are all of the wonderful rhymes we'll be sharing in our September sessions.

 All the Little Babies

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

Are You Sleeping?

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?

Brother John? Brother John?

Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!

Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong

Roses Are Red

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Sugar is sweet,

And so are you.

Tickle That Tum Tum

Tickle that tum tum,
Here my fingers come!
Tickle that tum tum,
Here my fingers come!
Because they TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE TICKLE
When they see a pretty baby with a plump tum tum.

10 Plump Peas

10 plump peas in a peapod pressed

One grew, two grew, so did all the rest

They grew and grew and did not stop

Until one day the pod went POP!

You Be the Ice Cream

You be the ice cream,

And I’ll be the freezer.

You be the lemon,

And I’ll be the squeezer.

You be the hotdog,

And I’ll be the bun.

You be the baby, 

And we’ll have some fun!

Head and Shoulders Baby 1, 2, 3

Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3

Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3 

Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3 

Head and shoulders, head and shoulders 

Head and shoulders baby 1, 2, 3!

Knees and toes baby 1, 2, 3 

Knees and toes baby 1, 2, 3 

Knees and toes baby 1, 2, 3 

Knees and toes, knees and toes 

Knees and toes baby 1, 2, 3!

Back and tummy baby 1,2,3 

Back and tummy baby 1,2,3 

Back and tummy baby 1,2,3 

Back and tummy, back and tummy 

Back and tummy baby 1,2,3!

Looking for something to do with your little one? See a list of the library’supcoming events for young children.

    Youth Services Specialist Stefanie 

If you can't make it to Baby Time this month, or if you just can't get enough and want to recreate it at home-we've got you covered! Here are all of the wonderful rhymes we'll be sharing in our July sessions.

 All the Little Babies

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

It's raining. It's pouring.

The old man is snoring

He went to bed and bumped his head

and didn’t get up in the morning.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns!

Hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot cross buns!

Bumble Bee

Bumble bee was in the barn

Carrying his dinner under his arm 

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Baby, Baby Dumpling

Baby, baby dumpling,

Put him in the pot

Sugar him and butter him

And eat him while he’s hot!

Bumpin' Up and Down in my Little Red Wagon

Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon,

Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon,

Bumpin' up and down in my little red wagon,

Won't you be my darling?

One wheel's off and the axle's broken,

One wheel's off and the axle's broken,

One wheel's off and the axle's broken,

Won't you be my darling?

 Wiggle Waggle

Wiggle waggle went the bear

Catching bees in his underwear

One bee out

One bee in

One bee bit him on his big bear skin

Bzzzzzz!

Looking for something to do with your little one? See a list of the library’supcoming events for young children.

    Youth Services Specialist Stefanie 

If you can't make it to Baby Time this month, or if you just can't get enough and want to recreate it at home-we've got you covered! Here are all of the wonderful rhymes we'll be sharing in our June sessions.

All the Little Babies

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go bouncin’, bouncin’

All the little babies go bouncin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies go swayin’, swayin’

All the little babies go swayin’ now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

All the little babies say hello, hello

All the little babies say hello now.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe

1, 2, buckle my shoe,

3, 4, shut the door,

5, 6, pick up sticks,

7, 8 lay them straight

9, 10, do it again!

This Little Piggy

This little piggy went to market,

This little piggy went home,

This little piggy had roast beef,

And this little piggy had none.

This little piggy went wee, wee, wee

all the way home!

Slowly, Slowly Creeps the Garden Snail

Slowly, slowly, very slowly
creeps the garden snail.
Slowly, slowly, very slowly
up the garden rail.
Quickly, quickly, very quickly
runs the little mouse.
Quickly, quickly very quickly
into his little house.

Acka Backa Soda Cracker

Acka backa soda cracker, 

Acka backa boo, 

Acka backa soda cracker, 

I love you!

Acka backa soda cracker, 

Acka backa boo,

Acka backa soda cracker, 

Up goes you!

I'm a Little Cuckoo Clock

Tick tock, tick tock

I’m a little cuckoo clock

Tick tock, tick tock

It’s one o’clock

CUCKOO!

Tick tock, tick tock

I’m a little cuckoo clock

Tick tock, tick tock 

It’s two o’clock

CUCKOO! CUCKOO!

Two Little Eyes

Two little eyes to look around,

Two little ears to hear each sound,

One little nose to smell what’s sweet

One little mouth that likes to eat.

Looking for something to do with your little one? See a list of the library’supcoming events for young children.

    Youth Services Specialist Stefanie 

In 1968 Fred Rogers asked, "What do you do with the mad that you feel?" While we have not yet arrived at a definitive answer to that question, we've since been given a wealth of resources to help us better understand ourselves, the way we feel, and the way those feelings affect others.

As your little one grows, they are sure to experience new, sometimes confusing or scary feelings -- sadness, frustration, disappointment, etc. -- and they may need a little help understanding what they're going through, or how to communicate what they're feeling to their caregivers.

I've selected five non-fiction titles, each centered around addressing a different emotion. These titles and more are available at the Barrington Area Library.

You're Angry: Throw a Fit or Talk It Out? You Choose the Ending...
Written by Connie Colwell Miller
Illustrated by Victoria Assanelli

So... what do you do with the mad that you feel? Connie Miller doesn't answer that question for readers; instead, she lets them explore for themselves.

In this book we follow Kendra, a young girl, who does not want to go to bed. Her father calls out to her, asking her to come inside... but what does Kendra do? Every page notes that Kendra has the option to either angrily lash out or make another decision, and with each decision made we see the outcome -- does Kendra get in trouble? Does she upset her father? Does she communicate her feelings in a constructive manner? That's up to the reader?

This is a fun way to address angry feelings, as it puts the power in your little one's hands, allows them to explore the consequences of throwing a tantrum (without actually experiencing one themselves), and supports emerging problem-solving skills.

I Feel... Anxious
By DJ Corchin

"Sometimes I feel anxious because of what people say.
Like when I hear adults argue... and I'm not sure it's OK.
Or when there's a germ in the air
And I can't go and play.
Bad thoughts stick in my head and they won't go away."

There's no way around it: we live in anxious times. Real life may be overwhelming at times, but DJ Corchin urges kids not to give in. Instead, with simple, empathetic poetry, he helps them work through their anxieties, first exploring the different causes then giving tips for management. The text is accompanied by expressive, if somewhat silly, drawings that perfectly capture how it feels to be overcome with anxiety.

The book is supplemented by specific anxiety management exercises with step-by-step instructions.

Get Unstuck from Disappointment
Written by Gill Hasson
Illustrated by Sarah Jennings

 What do you when things don't go your way, or someone lets you down?

Gill Hasson offers strategies for overcoming disappointment, whether it's something as simple as having a back-up plan or something that takes a little more work, like trying to look at things with a different point-of-view. But no matter what form your disappointment takes, Gill Hasson makes sure you know that you're not alone, and that you can get past it.

Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too)
By Keith Negley

It doesn't matter if you're a superhero, a pirate, a biker, or a ninja -- it's okay to be sad or upset, and it's okay to express it.

While this book is ostensibly for boys, especially those who feel uncomfortable expressing emotions like sorrow, any child can enjoy its universal message. You can be strong, brave, tough, and open with your emotions. And you are not alone in feeling the way you feel.

Unlike the other entries in this post, Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) does not offer solutions or strategies; instead, it encourages kids to express themselves when they feel sad, and to not feel ashamed for doing so.

Step Back from Frustration
Written by Gill Hasson
Illustrated by Sarah Jennings

Maybe things aren't going your way. Maybe you want something you can't have -- a new toy, a video game, a cool new book from your local library...

Maybe you feel like you're just going to explode if you don't get what you want.

It's okay to feel frustrated. It's okay to be upset that you're not getting the thing you want. But before you lash out, consider reading this helpful how-to guide on confronting frustration. Gill Hasson returns with this sister volume to Get Unstuck from Disappointment, which takes the same format: first telling the reader what frustration is, then offering examples of things that make us frustrated, before giving us tips on how to manage our frustrations.

Let us shop the shelves for you! Fill out a Browsing Bundle request, and a Librarian will bag up a small collection books or movies we think you'll love. 

  Youth Services Librarian Chris 

This Valentine's Day, check out some books that show your little ones how much you love them!

• Category Title

How Do I Love Thee? by Jennifer Adams

Picture Book. Ages 4-8.

Love Is Powerful by Heather Dean Brewer

Picture Book. Ages 5-8.

A Book of Love by Emma Randall

Picture Book. Ages 3-7.

I Love You More Than... by Taye Diggs

Picture Book. Ages 4-8.

Us by Frank Boylan

Board Book. Ages 4-7.

I’ll Never Let You Go by Smriti Prasadam-Halls

Board Book. Ages Birth-5.

Ways to Say I Love You by Marilyn Singer

Picture Book. Ages 4-6.

Homemade Love by Bell Hooks

Picture Book. Ages 4-8.

Love by Emma Dodd

Picture Book. Ages Birth-3.

Baby Love by Sandra Magsamen

Board Book. Ages Birth to 3.

Love by Matt de la Peña

Picture Book. Ages 4-8.

Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse

Picture Book. Ages Birth-8.

Wherever You’ll Be by Ariella Prince Guttman

Picture Book. Ages 3-5.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Picture Book. Ages 4-8.

Looking for something fun to do with your young one? Here’sa list of upcoming events at the library.

   Youth Services Assistant Librarian Claire 

Lots of great books were checked out to our community in 2021. The top checkouts tended to be titles from the Illinois Readers Choice Awards (Caudills, Bluestems, and Monarchs). We also saw some serious circulation from the always popular Mo Willems and Jeff Kinney. Here are the most frequently checked-out books from the Youth Services department in 2021:

Picture Book:

SumoKittyby David Biedrzycki

Beginning Reader:

Happy Pig Day!By Mo Willems

Juvenile Chapter Book: it was a tie!

	Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdownby Jeff Kinney
	Inklingby Kenneth Oppel

Teen Fiction:

Other Words for Homeby Jasmine Warga

Graphic Novel:

Be Preparedby Vera Brosgol

Nonfiction:

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”by Deborah Heiligman

Audiobook:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stoneby J. K. Rowling

e-Book:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep Endby Jeff Kinney

Want more reading lists delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our e-newsletters to discover the newest and best books for kids.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Snowy season is here! Enjoy 3 of our favorite Story Time Rhymes about snow!

Bumpin’ up and down in my little blue sled

Bumpin’ up and down in my little blue sled

Bumpin’ up and down in my little blue sled

Won’t you be my darlin’

Snow is fallin’ down in my little blue sled

Snow is fallin’ down in my little blue sled

Snow is fallin’ down in my little blue sled

Won’t you be my darlin’

Wavin’ to my friends in my little blue sled

Wavin’ to my friends in my little blue sled

Wavin’ to my friends in my little blue sled

Won’t you be my darlin’ 

A chubby little snowman,

Had a carrot nose.

Along came a bunny,

And what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny, 

Looking for his lunch,

Ate that snowman’s carrot nose

Nibble, nibble, crunch!

Snow on my forehead, 

Snow on my knee,

Snow on my glasses,

Getting hard to see!

Snow on my boots,  

Snow on my hair,

Snow on my mittens,

Snow EVERYWHERE!

Follow along with more of our rhymes on ourYouTube channel!

  Youth Services Librarian Demitra 

During the COVID pandemic, the start of a school year has felt a little different. Whether your kids are going to class wearing masks and unable to hug friends, or moved completely to homeschooling, school time has required adaptations from all of us. Find some inspiration in these stories of different school situations, across time and around the world. 

	This Is My Home, This Is My School  by Jonathan Bean For young Jonathan and his sisters, Mom is the teacher and a whole lot more, and Dad is the best substitute any kid could want. From math, science, and field trips to recess, show-and-tell, and art, a school day with this intrepid, inventive family will seem both completely familiar and totally unique.
	Nile Crossing by Katy Beebe & Sally Wern Comport A boy growing up in Ancient Egypt begins his first day of scribe training by traveling the Nile to his school. A twist on the first-day-of-school story that shows readers that feeling nervous is universal, even for kids growing up in an ancient civilization.
	Steamboat School: Inspired By a True Story by Deborah Hopkinson & Ron Husband  In 1847 St. Louis, Missouri, when a new law against educating African Americans forces Reverend John to close his school, he finds an ingenious solution to the new state law by moving his school to a steamboat in the Mississippi River.
	The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oge Mora In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. And at 116, she learned to read. An inspirational story of a woman whose long life and determination proved that you're never too old to learn.
	Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World by Susan Hughes  Education is not readily available for kids everywhere, and many communities are strapped for the resources that would make it easier for kids to go to school. In short, it's not always easy getting kids off to class -- but people around the world are finding creative ways to do it. In this book, travel to India, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Uganda, and a dozen other countries, to visit some of these incredible schools, and, through personal interviews conducted by author Susan Hughes, meet the students who attend them too.
	Grandmother School by Rina Singh & Ellen Rooney Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write. A moving story about the power of education.

Want more reading lists delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our e-newsletters to discover the newest and best books for kids.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Here’s a not-so-secret secret we librarians count on during Story Time: underpants always work. Kids love the silliness of seeing underwear or even bare bottoms in picture books. Here are some recent books celebrating the joys of the posterior. 

• Category Title

Sign up for our monthly newsletters to learn about the latest and greatest books coming to the Barrington Area Library.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Photo by Alex Kondratiev on Unsplash

Toddlers and preschoolers love to explore the world. Here are 4 simple science experiments you can do together that will ignite your toddler or preschooler's curiosity.

Sink or Float

Materials

• Container to hold water. A large bowl or plastic bin works nicely.
  
• Toys and other household objects such as balls, cups, coins, sponges, and silverware.
• Pencil and paper.

Start by filling your container with water. Show your child an example of an item that floats, and an item that sinks. Before your child drops an item into the container, ask them if they think the item will sink or float. Record your prediction on your piece of paper, and see if they were right.

Boat Engineering

Materials

• Container to hold water.
  
• Tin foil or other household recyclables such as straws, egg cartons, and cardboard.
• Weights such as coins, washers, Legos, or small wooden blocks.
• Tape (optional)

Create a boat out of tinfoil or other household items such as straws, egg cartons, or cardboard. If you need inspiration, look at pictures of boats together. A tin foil boat will be the quickest way to make a boat.

Fill your container with water. Place your boat in the container. Add weight to your boat using items such as coins, washers, small blocks, or Legos. See how much weight your boat can hold before it sinks! Once your boat sinks, see if you and your child can build another boat that will hold more weight.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Chemical Reactions

Materials

• Baking soda.
• Vinegar.
• Food coloring.
• Cups.
• Pan with sides, such as a casserole dish or disposable aluminum pan.
• Eyedropper or spoon.

There are many ways you can explore with baking soda and vinegar, but this is one of my favorites.

Start by pouring a thin layer of baking soda in your pan. You will want a deep pan with sides to contain the fizz from the baking soda and vinegar.

Pour a small amount of vinegar into your cups. The amount does not need to be precise, but 1/4 cup in each cup should be enough. Add one color of food coloring to each cup of vinegar. Mix to combine.

Fill an eyedropper or spoon with the colored vinegar, and drip it into the pan. Watch the color appear on the baking soda, and it fizz as the baking soda and vinegar combine. Enjoy the fizzing, and see what colors you can make!

Color Mixing with Magic Milk

Materials

• 2% or Whole Milk.
  
• Bowl.
• Dish soap.
• Cotton swab.
• Small cup.
• Food coloring.

Pour some milk into a bowl. The milk should be either 2% or Whole Milk. Add several drops of food coloring to the milk. 

Pour a small amount of dish soap into a small cup. Dip your cotton swab into the cup of dish soap. Touch the cotton swab with the dish soap on it to the milk. Once the dish soap touches the milk, you should see the colors spread out from each other. You can dip the cotton swab in the dish soap again and touch it to a different spot on the milk.

Looking for more experiments to do with your toddler or preschooler? Here are some websites with more ideas.

• Little Bins for Little Hands
• Toddler Approved
• Growing a Jeweled Rose

  Youth Services Librarian Ann 

We have a ton of different materials for our littlest customers, including our expanding Early Learning Backpack collection. We have several new Early Learning Backpacks. 

 Dance Dance Dance

This fun kit is designed to get children dancing, wiggling, and shaking with activities and songs. Dancing is an important component of building early literacy skills to get littles ready for Kindergarten. 

 Duck Duck Dance! The Move and Groove Game!

Get up and move with this fun interactive game. This game promotes gross motor, learn sequencing, turn taking, and vocabulary skills. 

The Dance Remixes by Laurie Berkner with dance ribbons and scarves

Dance away with Laurie Berkner's CD The Dance Remixes. Scarves and dance ribbons are provided for extra fun. Dancing is a great way to exercise gross motor activity, while singing is great for practicing phonological awareness.

Books 

Settle down and read some books about all kinds of dancing. 

Boys Dance! (American Ballet Theatre) by John Robert Allman; illustrated by Luciano Lozano 

Hip-Hop Lollipop by Susan Montanari; illustrated by Brian Pinkney 

How Do You Dance?by Thyra Heder 

Dance Dance Dance will help keep your child engaged, learning, and moving. Check out all of Early Learning Kits available at the library. 

  Youth Services Assistant Librarian MaryJo 

Check out one of these books that celebrate math-minded kids and might even teach your reader a new mathematical concept.

• Category Title

Up To My Knees by Grace Lin

Mei explores measurement as she plants a sunflower seed and watches it grow. The plant starts off as tall as her toe, but soon it's up to her knees, then her waist, then her shoulders. How tall will it get? Board book, ages 1-4.

Count On Me by Miguel Tanco

A child describes her passion - math - and her ability to see numbers, geometry, and other mathematical concepts all around her. Picture book, ages 4-8.

Lia & Luis, Who Has More? By Ana Crespo, illustrated by Giovana Medeiros

Twins Lia and Luis argue over who has more of their favorite Brazilian snacks. The siblings compare amounts using measurement, counting, estimation, and finally weight to pick the winner. Picture book, ages 3-6.

Arithmechicks Add Up by Ann Marie Stephens, illustrated by Jia Liu.

Meet the Arithmechicks - they play, make friends, and use arithmetic all day long. A playful introduction to essential math. Picture book, ages 3-6.

The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat.

Four friends. Three cookies. One problem. Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? A funny story that introduces fractions. Beginning reader, ages 4-8.

Annika Riz, Math Whiz by Claudia Mills

When the school carnival, the biggest fundraiser of the year, comes around, Annika realizes her class booth is losing money by selling their lemonade too cheaply. Annika embraces her math skills and saves the day. Early chapter book, ages 7-9.

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity - A Tale of the Genius Ramanujan by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Dan

A young mathematical genius from India searches for the secrets hidden inside numbers. Picture book biography, ages 6-10.

Bringing Down the Mouse by Ben Mezrich

A mathematically gifted sixth-grader is recruited by a group of students to game the system at the biggest theme park in the world--and win the big prize. Chapter book, ages 9-12.

Maryam’s Magic by Megan Reid, illustrations by Aaliya Jaleel

The true story of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian girl whose creativity and love of stories helped her and the world see math in a new way, and who was the only woman ever to win the Fields Medal, the most prestigious honor in mathematics. Picture book biography, ages 5-9.

Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty

After seventh graders Benji and Felix 'borrow' from a lost wallet, the billionaire owner challenges them to spend over million dollars in thirty days in order to learn life lessons about money. Chapter book, ages 9-13.

The Best At It by Maulik Pancholy

Twelve-year-old Rahul Kapoor, an Indian-American boy growing up in small-town Indiana, strives to find what he’s best at, from basketball to math, all while wondering if he might be gay. Chapter book, ages 9-13.

Grasping Mysteries - Girls Who Loved Math by Jeannine Atkins.

A biographical novel in verse of seven girls from different time periods who used math to explore the mysteries of the universe and grew up to do innovative work that changed history. Chapter book, ages 10-14.

Want more reading lists delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our e-newslettersto discover the newest and best books for kids.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

We are so pleased to share a new service:Browsing Bundles! 

With the Library building currently closed to the public, we know that our customers are missing the experience of browsing. Especially with children, the time spent in person - paging through books, seeing the artwork, and gauging text complexity  - is often so helpful, even necessary, to ensure that young readers are finding what they need.

Now a Barrington Area Library cardholder can complete abrief online form (or call us, if you’d prefer), and we’ll create a bundle full of fantastic options (books or movies) hand-selected by your local book experts based on your child’s age and interests. Simply come to the Library for Parking Lot Pickup once you’re notified the Bundle is ready, and we’ll check them out and bring them to your car. 

Perhaps your preschooler is all-about teddy bears (we can relate)...

Or your middle schooler is looking for more thought-provoking and moving realistic fiction likeWonderorA Good Kind of Trouble...

We’ve got you covered! Give our newBrowsing Bundles a try to make choosing books for your reader a breeze.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Dance is so much more than a ballet or tap class! Dance and creative movement are great indoor, at-home activities that can benefit your young child as well as get older children and caregivers moving!

Both structured dance with prescribed moves and free-flowing creative movement have real benefits.

• Physical Fitness - the most obvious benefit of boppin' to the beat is that it is great exercise. Plus a bonus benefit of getting the wiggles out!
• Body Awareness - young children may not always know exactly what their bodies can and can't do or how to stay in their own space. Dance and creative movement helps them learn coordination and spatial awareness.
• Social Skills - everyone moves through the world a little differently and dance helps show that not everyone will interpret the beat or rhythm of life the same way. Be you always!
• Concentration - following instructions or trying to remember what comes next in a sequence of events are important skills in early childhood development. Dance and creative movement give children a fun and active way to work on these important skills.

These are just some of the great benefits that dance and creative movement have to offer.

Here's a few ways you can enjoy the benefits at home:

• Plan a dance party! Make a short playlist with a couple songs that have prescribed movements and a couple songs that are just fun to bounce around to. Dance with your child so they have a model to follow when in doubt about their own creative confidence. Register for our Virtual Story Time Dance Party on February 16, 2021!
• Play freeze dance! Put on a few of your favorite kid-friendly tracks but make sure your child knows when the music stops they stop. Play around with giving instructions on how to freeze - like make a silly face or pose like a statue.
• Dance with scarves! Sometimes figuring out how to move is hard. Having a manipulative helps focus the movement and gives an opportunity for following instructions.

Need help finding some music? Check out thisblog post or contactYouth Services for some recommendations.

  Youth Services Librarian Demitra