Skip to content

Expecting? Time to sing

Being a mom or dad for the first time is overwhelming. There are the night-time feedings, the never-ending laundry and the stresses of just trying to get out of the house.

Being a mom or dad for the first time is overwhelming.

There are the night-time feedings, the never-ending laundry and the stresses of just trying to get out of the house.

But when it comes to soothing a child or teaching nursery rhymes and songs, not every parent knows all the words.

Enter Anna Chabada, a Port Coquitlam children's librarian who, with her Terry Fox Library colleagues, devised a prenatal program last summer to help expectant moms and dads - as well as other caregivers - with the basics before their bundles of joy arrive.

Chabada, who has her master's degree in library and information science, said many people remember rhymes and songs from their childhood but struggle with the lyrics. In her four-week drop-in session starting Feb. 26, she plans to teach not only new and traditional songs but also hand out sheets with the verses so new parents can take them home to use for reference.

Chabada spent six months working on the curriculum for the pilot program. "There really seems to be nothing out there like this," she said, "which is a shame because it's so much needed."

Studies show the first three years of a child's life are the most important for brain development; books, nursery rhymes and lullabies play vital roles in nourishing newborns', toddlers' and pre-schoolers' minds.

Chabada, who also leads the baby and pre-school storytime at Fox and takes part in outreach projects for Strong Start and the YMCA, will talk to participants about book selection for babes and recommend titles.

As for the songs, she's inspired by the work of Kathy Reid-Naiman, an Ontario-based children's performer who has released recordings such as Tickles & Tunes, A Smooth Road to London Town, On My Way to Dreamland and Reaching for the Stars!, which are staples with pre-school teachers and families with young kids.

As well, Chabada has lined up guest speakers to give 10-minute talks about child rearing. They include Shannon Halpin, a massage therapist/doula with Halpin Hands Massage; Andrea Hunter, a School District 43 early childhood educator; and Jan Waldbillig of the West Coast Family Resources Society.

If the first prenatal storytime is successful, "I'm hoping it will continue and run all year round," Chabada said. "I really feel that it's necessary for parents and their young ones."

Prenatal storytime is a free drop-in program and runs for four Saturdays, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., starting Feb. 26 at the Terry Fox Library (2470 Mary Hill Rd., Port Coquitlam). Pregnant moms are welcome to bring pillows and blankets. For more information, call the library at 604-927-7999.

jwarren@tricitynews.com