Programs

Words, songs, and movements capture babies’ attention.  Designed for babies up to 24 months and a parent or caregiver.

Babytime

• is a half hour of fun, storytelling, rhyming, finger plays,
  song and sometimes dance,
• is a chance to discover some new and old-time activities
  with your little one, to meet other parents,
  and bring new stimulation into your baby’s life.
• is all about enjoying books, stories and rhymes,
  seeing pictures and experiencing playful interaction with you.

 Click here to see six easy ways you can get your baby ready for reading!

Join us for Babytime.  You can let us know you're coming or just drop in to try it out - you and your baby are always welcome at Babytime.

Babytime is held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Mary J. Benson Branch. Each session lasts eight weeks.

You may register an infant for Babytime:

•  in person, at the Mary J. Benson Branch;
•  by telephone;
•  by email.

Busy hands and busy minds.

Preschool Storytime is a 40-minute program designed for 2 to 5 year olds. It includes stories, finger plays, and crafts.

Preschool Storytime is held at the Mary J. Benson Branch on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. and at the Garden Hill Branch on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Each session lasts eight weeks.

You may register a child for Preschool Storytime:

•  in person, at the Mary J. Benson Branch or the Garden Hill Branch;
•  by telephone;
•  by email.

Big Buddies meet with Little Buddies to make reading fun.

Reading Buddies is the Library’s after-school reading program that runs from October to June. Volunteer tutors of high-school age or older are paired with students in grades 2 to 6 who need extra practice to improve their reading skills. Tutors and students meet once a week after school at the Mary J. Benson Branch.

We train the tutors and supply the books, of course, plus a range of activity sheets and games to help make learning enjoyable for both tutor and student. The Reading Buddies program can make reading a more positive experience for otherwise reluctant readers.

High school students can use tutoring hours toward their community service hours.

Register a student for the Reading Buddies program.

Register as a volunteer tutor for the Reading Buddies program.

One-to-one attention can make a big difference.

The Library offers free help to students in kindergarten to grade 8 who have been identified by their school as having reading and math skills below grade level. Tutors in reading help students improve their skills through new word lists, daily journals and other reading-based games and activities. Math tutoring provides extra help to students through worksheets, number games, flash cards and other math-based activities.

In both programs:

• Learning takes place in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Children meet one-on-one with a tutor for an hour every day for two weeks at the Mary J. Benson Branch.  (Garden Hill Branch spots will be available if there is enough demand.) 
• Parents or caregivers may select the two-week period and the time of day that best suits their plans. Tutors will try to accommodate all requests.
• The tutors are university students who have been interviewed and hired by the Library.
• Parents may ask for verbal reports on their child’s progress at any time.
• Parents are given written reports and are asked to complete a program evaluation at the end of their child’s session.
• Places are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis.

The Summer Tutoring Program is designed specifically for students who are working below grade level. It is not a ‘maintenance program.’

• The tutors do not teach reading or math. They provide structured practice for students needing extra help.
• Parents are asked to register only children who have been identified by their school as needing extra help
• Attendance is important. Participation for the full two weeks is necessary so that children receive the maximum benefit from the program.

Registration

• Registration begins in May of each year.
• Parents are required to fill in a registration form available at either branch of the Library.
• Children registered for the program must have a valid Port Hope Public Library card.

For further information, please contact Alison Houston at 905.885.4712 or email.