Lansdowne library organised storytelling and crafts for preschooler’s last Wednesday to commemorate International Children’s Day and National Child Protection Week.
International Children’s Day was on Wednesday June 1, and National Child Protection Week ran from Sunday May 29 to Sunday June 5.
The library hosted 15 children from the Kay Pee Zee preschool in Lansdowne.
Children’s librarian Nicole Collinet read First Place Freddy to the children while assistant librarian Zuraya Sassman read Tickly Octopus, both books in line with the “sea life” theme.
Children then had to create a fish tank using different textures and shapes – a rectangle for the fish tank, circles for water bubbles and triangles for the fish.
Ms Collinet said that commemorating International Children’s Day was important so that children could feel special as many of them came from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Celebrating our youth is very important. Creating awareness about this week and day is so important although much more awareness should be created. It has improved over the years though. Parents and teachers must let them know what today is and celebrate the day so that they can feel special.”
Ms Sassman, said that National Child Protection Week helped stress the importance of child safety.
“Children must look before crossing the road and never walk alone. Children must feel safe enough to speak to an adult if something is wrong or they need help with something.”
Preschool teacher Thuliswa Mayaya, said that exposing children to books and libraries was so important for their development as pictures helped their long-term memory.
“You get Mother’s Day and Father’s Day so it’s important to celebrate this day too. They are unique and schools should do something to celebrate this day,” she said.
The library also celebrated Children’s Amnesty Week from Wednesday June 1 to Wednesday June 8, which gave children under the age of 12 the opportunity to return late library items without paying a fine.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross said more than 25 000 library items were outstanding from patrons aged 12 and under.
“I am delighted that children are excited about books and enjoy reading so much that they don’t want to let go of the stories that have captured their imagination,” she said. “It’s a joy we want to share with all our other young patrons, and I want to encourage them to return their overdue items, without incurring any fines. When you return your items, you can take out new books and embark on fresh adventures. Every new book is an opportunity to grow and learn.”