In Nanny Diaries this week, Emma Appleton talks about the benefits of learning at the library
Nanny Emma Appleton explains how vital books are to a child’s development
Following on from the “where to go in September without the sun” series, I wanted to mention somewhere that’s totally free where you can actually come away with a free book,.
Yes, that’s right: the library!
There’s a wealth of learning to be had for children in a library, from communication and language, to fine motor (turning pages) to listening and understanding the world.
That’s before they even open a book.
Inside a book a child can visit far away countries, discover new animals and explore other cultures as well as learning about the stages of life like starting school or perhaps getting a new sibling.
Books are vital to a developing child.
The first library in the UK was actually built quite close to Wigan, Chetham’s library in Manchester. It was actually built in 1421 but first used as a library in 1653.
It is the oldest surviving library in the UK.
However, back then the only children’s books were religious or educational.
The first book written specifically for children’s pleasure in the UK was made around 1700, called “The Little Pretty Pocket-Book.”
It contained a poem for every letter of the alphabet and it was sold with a free gift of a ball or spinning top. Delightful!
I’ve been a patron of Wigan Libraries for about 20 years.
I’ve brought most of the children I’ve cared for to a library somewhere in the area.
Many of them have a small selection of toys for children under two to play with and Standish library in particular has a table with arts and crafts on which you can find throughout the year in the children’s section.
It’s the perfect place to go to on a rainy day.
Your child will need to be a member, but it’s just a simple matter of filling in the form and they can have up to six books for three weeks.
Most of Wigans libraries also house children’s centres too where play groups and other activities are led by the “Start Well” team.
For a list of activities available within libraries in Wigan and surrounding areas hop onto;
www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Education/Family-Hubs/Family-hub-at-libraries
With that in mind, I think we’ve a book somewhere that’s due back…