Time with Toddlers

By Karen Raffaelo

KISSIMMEE,Fla.–Hart Memorial Central Library was filled Saturday, with loud music, some giggles, and young developing minds.

The Lillie room on the second floor has Toddler Tales in between naptime and lunchtime to get the younger children some personal time with their mothers and to get them interacting with other children. Lisa Walker is the local storyteller for the library, she's been an assertive volunteer at the library since her retirement from teaching three years ago.

“It helps them to build on their language skills and their personality skills,” Lisa Walker explains.

The children, ranging from 1 up to 3 years, can be seen communicating and using problem solving skills during games and activity time, and then comprehending during story time.

Walker host the event dressed up, sometimes as characters from the books, sometimes in PJ’s for certain events, and sometimes just in seasonal costumes. "Imagination is really important at this age," Walker explains.

The children love the event and became very captivated when Walker started her show. Rachel Lopez, a mother at the event said that, “now when books are competing with TV it’s hard to find things like these, but it’s nice when you do.” Most mothers agreed.

Amanda Kregel, a three-year-old stated simply, “she’s so cool.”