Kitsap Regional Library’s Silverdale location makes waves with a unique program for families and their little ones. Baby Band, developed by Children’s Librarian Aleah Jurnecka and now offered at four locations, is a refreshing alternative to traditional Baby/Toddler Storytime, offering an engaging, music-centered approach to early childhood development.
Baby Band focuses on active musical play to foster whole-child development. Unlike traditional Storytime, which requires a level of stillness and quiet, Baby Band encourages wiggling, singing, dancing, and exploring. Sessions begin and end with familiar rhymes and songs, but the heart of the program lies in joyful chaos as children interact with instruments, caregivers, and peers.
Using popular music and developmental tips, Aleah demonstrates how these activities enhance children’s growth and offer easy ways for families to replicate them at home.
Aleah’s inspiration for Baby Band came during her time at the County of LA Public Library, where she observed the transformative power of music in bridging cultural and language gaps.
With a background in child development and music, she crafted a program that empowers caregivers as their child’s first teacher while embracing the universal language of music.
Music activates multiple brain areas, strengthening connections between the left and right hemispheres and supporting motor control. Activities in Baby Band enhance spatial awareness, balance, coordination, and self-regulation.
Singing and rhyming aid in language acquisition, while rhythm and melody foster memory, pattern recognition, and skills valuable in math, art, computers, and more.
“Music provides children with repeated exposure to words and sounds, laying the foundation for literacy,” Aleah explains. “It also builds confidence and prepares them for group settings, helping them thrive in various learning environments.”
Baby Band provides a low-stakes environment for social learning. Children naturally engage in turn-taking, sharing, and group participation, all while having fun.
Regular attendees show growth in confidence and eagerness to lead or collaborate. This safe, inclusive program fosters empathy and a sense of belonging, crucial for early social development.
“Music and movement create opportunities for connection without the need for verbal communication,” says Aleah. “Children can come together and ‘jam’ on the cajon drum or mirror each other with the same instruments and easily connect.”
The response from families has been overwhelmingly positive. Caregivers appreciate a library program that welcomes neurodivergent children and celebrates cultural diversity through music. The most common feedback Aleah hears is how fun it is for babies and adults, along with excitement by parents that their little ones are ‘coming out of their shells’ with each passing week.
Aleah hopes families leave Baby Band sessions inspired to incorporate music into their daily lives, realizing how simple and impactful these moments of connection can be.
Programs like Baby Band highlight the evolving role of libraries as hubs for community learning and connection. By offering free, accessible programs, the library removes financial barriers, enabling families to explore music without needing expensive instruments or classes.
Baby Band is available at four library locations: Silverdale, Manchester, MLK (Downtown Bremerton), and Kingston. Check out the calendar at Baby Band, find a program near you, and experience the transformative power of music!
Comments