Children’s Programs: Birth to Grade 5

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For information about Youth Services at PML, contact Jennifer Benham at jbenham@cumberlandmaine.com and check out our PML Facebook page.

There's a lot happening for kids at PML. Click on the links below for more information or to register for programs.

Links we like:

GMS Library Summer Reading List 2023

 

Maine Student Book Award: The Maine Student Book Award is designed to expand literary horizons of students in grades 4-8 by encouraging them to read, evaluate, and enjoy a selection of new books and to choose a statewide favorite by written ballot each spring.

 

cloudLibrary
Use your library card to download audiobooks and ebooks. You may borrow up to three books at a time and place holds on books that are currently checked out. Need a library card? Apply for one at the library.

 

Local Land Trusts

Get outdoors and explore. Chebeague and Cumberland Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust preserve local land and water to explore, kayak, hike, picnic, and play. They also offer programs and events for families and individuals.

 

Science Online
Hang out and do science with Chris Dorman, STEM specialist at the Maine State Library. Fun projects, simple materials. Airing LIVE on Facebook, every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

 

The Story Seeds Podcast
Kids with intriguing story ideas are paired with notable authors to grow those seeds into stories. Lots of inspiring ideas for budding authors and illustrators.

 

Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
Fascinating tales of extraordinary women, from Greta Thunberg to Madame C. J. Walker. Most of the podcasts are available through a free app downloadable from the website.

 

The Past and the Curious 

Fascinating and often lesser known stories from history told with a touch of humor.

Early Learning for Preschoolers

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Tuesday Storytime

Babies and Toddlers:

  Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

Preschoolers (Ages 3 to 5):

  Tuesdays at 11 a.m.

At PML

No registration required.

 

Beginning Wednesday, September 4

Wednesday Storytime

North Yarmouth Community Center

Ages 0-5

Wednesdays at 11 a.m. (after Kiddie Gym)

Stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and more with Melissa.

Baby & Toddler Hangout

Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

10 a.m.

No registration required.

Kids ages 0-3 and caregivers, come hang out in our activity room and enjoy all it has to offer. We have a play kitchen, dolls, puzzles, duplos, a train table, and an art station. So much to do! This is a low-key time for both kids and caregivers to socialize and connect. No registration required. Just drop in!

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Little Makers

2nd and 4th Thursdays

10:30-11 a.m. Ages 0-5

Drop-in format. No registration required.

Let's get messy! Art is about the process, not the product. Let's explore different materials, experiment, and play! Join Melissa on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month (holidays excepted) to let loose and create. Please wear clothing appropriate for messy play. 

Little Roots Family

First Monday of the month, October - May
11 a.m. (after Kiddie Gym)
Community Room at the North Yarmouth Community Center
In partnership with 317 Main Community Music Center. www.317music.org
Simple songs, rhymes, and movement activities for kids ages 0 - 5 years with caregivers.
No registration required.

Fun for Kids

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MSBA Read-Aloud Lunch Bunch at GMS

Tuesdays & Thursdays during lunch and recess

September 24 – December 12

Tuesdays: Grade 4

In the STEM Lab

Thursdays: Grades 5 & 6

In the GMS Library

Settle in for a read-aloud book group! Sit back and enjoy your lunch while Melissa or Jennifer read one of this year's Maine Student Book Award nominees aloud. Can't come every week? Don't worry! Come when you can. We'll get you caught up on anything you missed.
Featured book: The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies.
From the publisher: "Quirky, tool-wielding Alice Cannoli-Potchnik begins to repair the dilapidated mansion next door—only to discover the old house is home to ghosts, and they need mending, too! Home is where the heart is. But can a house have a heart of its own?"
Sign up with your classroom teacher or Mrs. Hall-Riddle in the GMS library.

Drop-In Chess with Jay

Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.

At PML

New to the game of chess, or looking to sharpen your skills? Join us for a fun and relaxed group for kids interested in chess. 

No registration required. 

Lego Free Build

Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m.

Grades PreK–5

Drop-in format. No registration required.

Free build with friends using PML's large collection of Legos. We will meet at the long tables near Luna's terrarium. Creations will be displayed at the library for one week.

Trading Card Meetups for Kids

Thursdays, beginning September 5

4 to 5 p.m.

At PML

Bring your Pokemon, Magic, baseball, football, soccer (etc., etc.) cards to show and trade with friends. We can't promise that there will be others with your type of trading card, but you may learn about something new! Drop in format. No registration required.

Read to Nora
Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m.: 10/16, 11/13, & 12/11
Saturdays, 2-3 p.m.: 10/26, 11/9, & 12/14
For kids up to grade 5
At PML
Nora is as sweet as they come and can't wait to meet you and listen to a story! Bring a book to read or choose one from our collection. Because what is better than reading to a therapy dog?!
Fifteen-minute timeslots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Story Walks Nearby

Story Walk in Cumberland

The Story Walk at Town Forest can be accessed via the Town Hall parking lot at 290 Tuttle Road, Cumberland. This month's story (November 2024):

 

 

Story Walk in North Yarmouth

The Story Walk in North Yarmouth can be accessed via the Westcustago Hall/North Yarmouth Community Center parking lot (120 Memorial Highway, No. Yarmouth).  This month's story (November 2022):  Gobble Gobble by Maine author Cathryn Falwell.

 

 

Learning at home?