Polish Storytime Instills Love of Culture

The Polish Storytime children's program at the Prospect Heights Public library always starts with the popular traditional rhyme "Balonik." Hand in hand, children form a circle and recite the rhyme, acting out a balloon being blown up and bursting. So begins one of the most loved children's programs at the Prospect Heights Public Library.

Held every second Wednesday evening of the month, Polish Storytime was started and developed by world languages librarian Aldona Salska in September 2009, until the baton was recently passed to Sophie Bochula and Terri Murphy. Together they work with volunteer parents to plan each storytime with the intention of instilling the love of Polish traditions and culture in children. Every session focuses on a theme such as weather, seasons, animals or holidays. Polish songs, rhymes, stories and a craft project are part of each program. In the middle of all this action, someone announces, "Bingo time!" With a 9-square Bingo board of pictures, eager children match 3-in-a-row so they can happily shout "Bingo!" and receive a glittery star. The game is continued until all the children get a star.

"It's quality family time," said Kasia Bachlan, parent volunteer. "Parents are involved and we all play together in a community that supports both languages. It's an opportunity for the children to learn more about Poland." Likewise, parent volunteer Sylwia Szejda chimed in, "We think it's important to share the poems, games, songs and holiday traditions we knew as children growing up in Poland. It's part of their culture. It's also fun to see how parents remember what they enjoyed as children."

Polish Storytime is held every second Wednesday of the month from 7 - 8pm at the Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm in Prospect Heights. Parents can sign up their children ages 2-6 at www.phpl.org in the events calendar, or phone the library at 847-259-3500. For more information in English or Polish, ask for Sophie Bochula.