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ASHLAND LIBRARY Library kids activities get more than the mind in gear Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jul. 22, 2015 at 8:57 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jul. 22, 2015 at 8:57 PM » Social News There’s one good reason why toddlers don’t need Toddlerobics: they’re doing aerobics all the time, jokes Ashland librarian Lynn Heerema, who leads the fun and engaging Toddlerobics class every Monday at 11:15 a.m., year around.  They jump all over the place, singing nursery rhymes, clapping their hands, bouncing around under a big, colorful parachute — and it’s really the moms (and a few dads and grandmas) who get to feel the burn and get a workout. “Ours is a dance-movement class,” says Heerema. “It’s fun, upbeat music that opens up with the song ‘Celebration’ as the warmup, then comes rhythm sticks with ribbons on them for finger games.” The sticks are great for “Itsy, Bitsy Spider” as they mimic the bug’s movements up the waterspout, then the rain coming down. “They love the parachute, a mix of beanbags and frogs being tossed up,” she says, “and it invites parent-child participation.” Then comes book-reading time. The librarians never miss an opportunity to hook kids on books — and this week it was “The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water” (because he was a dragon and breathed fire). This tones the kids down and gets them ready to walk out into their day, with everyone having burned off cranky energy. “Lyn is fabulous and just silly enough to make everything work. She’s passionate about it and brings a sense of joy to both kids and parents,” says mom Judy Cruce. “I love this class,” says mom Dina Bridges. “It’s a fantastic family time. It keeps them busy and entertained.” “We love it,” says mom Kailey Ousley. “We’ve been coming here since she was 10 months old. She’s super-energetic and loves it.” “Every week we come. She likes it a lot,” says mom Bridget Palmesano of her 2-year-old old daughter. Many of the parents bring their toddlers to the library’s movement classes — always with books and readings — for babies on Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m. and “wobblers” (pre-toddlers) on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. “They get to make connections with other parents and set up play dates, a great opportunity for socialization. These early literacy programs do so much to help prepare children for school,” says Heerema. The classes are funded by the Friends of the Ashland Library, which also pays for the summer reading program, where elementary age children get a free, new book if they read 10 books they agreed to. Hundreds of kids have signed up for it. The children engage in other literacy-inspired programs, including decorating canvas book bags and re-purposing old T-shirts with literary themes. That program is at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and ends Aug.10. Toddlerobics normally meets at 11:15 Mondays, but not this coming Monday, when Rich Glauber plays “an upbeat mix of songs, creative movement, storytelling and comedy, good for all ages.” It’s 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. this Monday. All these programs are free. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] . By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Jul. 22, 2015 at 8:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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