Summer holidays are a great time for families to bond; however, long stretches in the car can be frustrating for kids and challenging for parents. An excellent way to reduce frustration and maintain sanity is to visit the Calgary Public Library before a vacation. The Library has a wide range of resources to keep your children entertained and stimulated, and you might enjoy them too!
Does your family enjoy singing songs together? Sing-a-long with some of the Library’s music CDs. There is a great selection of music for every taste including soundtracks, lullabies, jazz, international, pop, rock, and country. Enjoy family favorites like Sharon, Lois, and Bram or the Wiggles. Discover someone new like the Big Kidz Band or see why children love established musicians like Maria Muldour and Taj Mahal.
Not the next Opera Diva? Why not listen to a story together on CD or tape? Choose a classic from your childhood or find something new to discover together. Children will enjoy reading along with the book while listening, and the Library holds audio books in a multitude of languages including Spanish, Chinese, and French.
A fun way to garner excitement for the trip ahead is to have children research the upcoming trip. The Library has books on many cities that explain the culture, geography, and sites to see. A good atlas will encourage your child to help plan your route and keep track of trip progress. You can now ask your child, “Are we there yet?”
Not sure which books are at your child’s reading level or having trouble picking age appropriate resources? Pick up a bookmark highlighting children’s books by age at the Library information desk or ask staff for their suggestions from the Calgary Public Library’s vast collection.
Planning to take your child on a road trip can be daunting, but with the help of the Calgary Public Library’s resources, the trip can be a great part of the adventure. If your child doesn’t have a library card, summer is a great time to sign up and children’s cards are free. If your road trip is going to be longer than the Library’s three-week-loan period, ask staff for a holiday loan that will give you up to an additional three weeks.
Happy travels and reading from the Calgary Public Library.
Recommended Reading:
Michele is a Youth Services Librarian. For more information please visit calgarypubliclibrary.com or a branch near you.
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