New chapter in healthy eating at baby+ clubs
Released: 7 February 2007
Wolverhampton libraries’ youngest borrowers are being encouraged to choose healthy options as part of changes to Baby+ Clubs across the city.
Baby+ Clubs, where library staff share stories and rhymes with children aged up to three years old and their carers in a fun, relaxed atmosphere, encourage a healthy start to a lifetime of reading.
‘Fruity February’ marks the start of a healthy new approach as biscuits and squashes are replaced at the sessions with fruit and juices.
Marion Cockin, Children’s Services Manager for Wolverhampton Libraries said: “We want to encourage healthy eating at our sessions, which are held at libraries throughout Wolverhampton, and also encourage parents and carers to share books and rhymes with their children. It makes for a healthy start for early literacy skills.”
A specially designed banana bookmark has been produced to mark the changes at the Baby+ Clubs. Available free of charge at all Wolverhampton libraries, the bookmark lists ‘healthy books to share’ - fun books, ideal for bedtimes with a healthy-eating theme.
In addition to the session at Pendeford Library this week, Sal Tonge, an expert in storytelling for children under three years old, will be sharing stories and rhymes on eating healthily at Penn, Tettenhall and Central children’s libraries during February.
Sue Mason, a librarian at Central Children’s Library added: “Babies and very young children enjoy listening to stories and rhymes at our Baby+ Club.
“Children can join the library at any age and can borrow up to 10 books and six story tapes to enjoy stories at home. Our youngest member this year was just one day old.”
For more information about library services for young people, or to find out where your nearest library is, visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.
Issued by the press office.