A flurry of bubbles floated through the room as toddlers at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library in Valley Stream took part in a new interactive story time program introducing them to English and Spanish through books, songs and play.
Bebés of the Island is a five-week series for children ages 18 months to 3 years, held Mondays at 11 a.m. through Nov. 16. The program is made possible through a donation from Academic Munchkins Daycare and Pre-K, a local Valley Stream preschool. Families must register separately for each session.
Children’s Librarian Jaclyn Kunz said the library wanted to offer the program because of the community’s diversity and the number of children growing up speaking languages other than English at home. Library staff did not have the language skills needed to lead the classes themselves, so the donation made it possible to bring in an instructor.
“We have such a diverse community and so many children whose first language is not English,” Kunz said. “For those kids who have not been exposed to Spanish, it’s really nice, especially at this age.”
The classes are led by Vianna Calderon, founder and instructor of Bebés of the Island, which offers bilingual programs at libraries across Long Island. She uses familiar children’s books to introduce vocabulary and early learning concepts in both languages, giving toddlers a chance to hear new words in context.
During the first class, Calderon introduced a story about five little elephants to help children count from one to five. Future sessions will build on those lessons, including a planned reading of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to introduce colors while revisiting counting.
The atmosphere was lively, with children encouraged to clap, move and participate rather than sit quietly throughout the session. Greetings in English and Spanish, songs and bubbles gave the toddlers opportunities to join in between stories, making the class feel more like play than a traditional lesson.
Calderon said she alternates structured learning with movement and play to accommodate toddlers’ short attention spans. She also draws on her experience as a behavioral therapist who consults with elementary schools in local school districts when planning activities that encourage young children to participate at their own pace.
“I always tell everyone, it’s either you’re coming to learn Spanish or you’re coming to learn English,” Calderon said.
The program gives Valley Stream families another opportunity to introduce young children to a second language in a welcoming setting. Through its partnership with Academic Munchkins Daycare and Pre-K, the library can offer a program that combines early learning with an engaging group experience for toddlers.
