Cary Memorial Library’s winter 2012 programs for children and their caregivers will begin in early January.  For programs listed as *Sign-up Online,* go to www.carylibrary.org, locate the event in the Library’s Calendar of Events, click on the “hand” symbol to the right of the program listing, and fill in the required information.  You may also register in person, or by telephone, at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170. Preschool programs require no advance registration.  

-- CaryKids Book Club, for children in grades 4-6

The CaryKids Book Clubs, for children in grades 4 to 6, will continue to meet in the Storytime Room twice a month, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, featuring interesting book discussions and refreshments.  Space is limited.  Register in person, and pick up a copy of the current book, in the Cary Library Children’s Room.  Children may choose either the Tuesday or the Thursday group.  Those who participated in the fall do not need to re-register. Tuesday afternoons, from 4-5 pm. January 3, 17, & 31, and February 14 & 28 and Thursday afternoons, from 4-5 pm. January 5 & 19, February 2 & 16, and March 1

-- “LEGO Gator Jack” Workshops, for children in grades 1-3.  *Sign-up Online*

Learn with LEGOs, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, January 10 and March 6 in the large Meeting Room.  Instructors from the Children’s Technology Workshop of Newton will teach about simple machines, levers, and friction, while children use LEGO kits to build Gator Jacks.  All children will go home with a color page about the activity, and a photo slide show will be available to participants.  LEGOS will not be taken home.  Attendance is limited to 20.  Register online at www.carylibrary.org , or in person, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 3 (for the January 10 program), and on Monday evening, February 27 (for the March 6 program).   Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m., at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

-- Preschool Sing-Alongs, for children from birth to age 6 and their caregivers

Come and sing some old favorites, and you might even learn a new song or two.  These energetic and participatory programs are held in the large Meeting Room on the Library’s lower level. Thursday mornings, 10:30 a.m.:  January 12, February 16, & March 29

-- Storytime for 2 ½-Year-Olds:  Stories, rhymes, and songs, in the Storytime Room, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday mornings:  January 18 & 25, February 1, 8, & 29, and March 7, 14, & 21

-- Baby Laptime, for babies up to 15 months old

20-minute low-key, interactive programs of songs, finger plays, nursery rhymes, and simple stories, will be held in the Storytime Room. Thursday mornings, at 9:30 a.m.:  January 19 & 26, February 2 & 9, and March 1, 8, 15, & 22

-- Toddlertime, for 16-25 month-olds and for 25-30 month-olds

Stories, songs, rhymes, and movement for toddlers and their caregivers, held in the Storytime Room.  These toddler programs are so popular that they are offered in two sessions.  The 10:30 session is for younger toddlers, aged 16-24 months, and the 11:15 session is for slightly older toddlers, aged 25-30 months. Thursday mornings, at 9:30 a.m.:  January 19 & 26, February 2 & 9, and March 1, 8, 15, & 22

-- Storytime for 3-Year-Olds:  Stories, songs, and fingerplays, held in the Storytime Room Friday mornings, 10:30 a.m.:  January 20 & 27, February 3 & 10, and March 2, 9, 16, & 23

-- “The Inuit Thought of It,” for children in grades 3 & 4.  *Sign-up Online*

The ancestors of the people of northern Canada adapted to snow, cold and ice with some amazing inventions.  Children will learn about their lives and their stories, and will build an Inuksuk stone sculpture, at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, January 19, in the Storytime Room.   Attendance is limited to 12.  Register online at www.carylibrary.org , or in person, beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday evening, January 9.   Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m., at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

-- Preschool Movies, for ages 2-6 and caregivers

Every Tuesday morning, except for Tuesdays following Monday holidays, the Children’s Department shows three to four short films based on books for young children.  Preschool movies are shown in the large Meeting Room on the Library’s lower level.Tuesday mornings, 10:30 a.m.:  January 24 & 31, February 7, 14, & 28, and March 6, 13, 20, & 27.

-- Infant Sign:  Early Signs of Communication, for babies aged 2 months to pre-verbal, and their caregivers.  *Sign-up Online*

Instructor Cheryl White, CIMI, will show parents and caregivers how to reduce frustration and help give babies the ability to express themselves before they can speak, using American Sign Language, from 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday mornings, January 30 and March 12, in the Large Meeting Room.  Attendance is limited to 15 families for each program.  Sign up online (www.carylibrary.org) or in person beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Mondays, January 23 (for the January 30 workshop) or March 5 (for the March 12 workshop).  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m. at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

-- Make a Video Game:  “Egypt Adventure” & “Mission to Mars,” for children in grades 4-6   *Sign-up Online*

In these workshops presented by Children’s Technology Workshop, children in grades 4-6 will be introduced to the fundamentals of creating a video game, using carefully prepared elements. While creating the games, they will be learning math, geometry, design, logic, and object-oriented programming.  Games can be played at home (MS Windows only).  “Egypt Adventure” will be held from 4 to 6 pm. on Tuesdays, January 31 or March 20, in the large Meeting Room.   “Mission to Mars” will be held from 4 to 6 pm. on Tuesday, February 28.  Attendance is limited to 12.  Sign up online (www.carylibrary.org) or in person, beginning at 7 pm. on Monday evenings, January 23 (for the January 31 program), February 21 (for the February 28 program), or March 12 (for the March 20 program).  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m., at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

Blissful Baby Infant Massage, for babies from birth to pre-crawlers and their caregivers.  *Sign-up Online,*

Instructor Sheryl White, CIMI, will show parents and caregivers massage techniques, and other ways to calm and soothe babies from 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday mornings, February 13 and April 30, in the Storytime Room.  Attendance is limited to 15 families for each program.  Sign up online (www.carylibrary.org) or in person beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Mondays, February 6 (for the February 13 program), or April 23 (for the April 30 program).  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m. at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

-- Circle Time, for children ages 2-5

These low-key, 20-minute programs of songs, fingerplays, and rhymes are held in the large Meeting Room.  Enthusiastic participation is welcomed. Monday mornings, 10:30 a.m.:  January 23, February 6 & 27, and March 5 & 19

-- Chinese New Year Brush Painting Workshop, for children in grades 4-6.  *Sign-up Online*

Cary Library will again offer a Chinese brush painting workshop for children in grades 4-6, with local artist Sharon Wu, from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25 (snow date:  February 8), in the Learning Center.  Attendance will be limited to 12.  Register online at www.carylibrary.org , or in person, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 17.  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m., at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.  This program was made possible by a generous gift from Wilson Farms.

-- Chinese New Year Dough Figurines Workshops, for children in grades 3-5.  *Sign-up Online*

Artist Tze-Ping Huang will teach children how to knead multicolored Chinese rice dough and craft beautiful

figurines, at 2 pm. and 3:30 pm. on Saturday afternoon, January 28 (snow date:  February 4), in the Storytime Room.  Attendance will be limited to 8 in each group.  Register online at www.carylibrary.org , or in person, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening, January 17.  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m, at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

-- “Little House on the Prairie,” for children in grades 4 & 5.  *Sign-up Online*

Children will share pioneer stories and learn to make a miniature braided rug.  Bring your favorite Laura Ingalls Wilder book to share your favorite episode, from 4-5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, in the Storytime Room.  Attendance will be limited to 10.  Register online at www.carylibrary.org , or in person, beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday evening, February 6.  Telephone reservations will be accepted beginning at 7:30 p.m, at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170.

For further information, please call the Children’s Room at (781) 862-6288, ext. 170, or check the Library’s website at www.carylibrary.org. Cary Memorial Library’s winter children’s programs have been made possible by the generous donors to the Annual Fund of the Cary Memorial Library Foundation.