Library hosts extra Twinkle Babies program with dietitian

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On June 3, the Strathmore Municipal Library will be hosting a special session of their “Twinkle Babies” program to provide information about infant nutrition to parents. 

Dietician Dabin Choi will be in attendance to present at the session, as well as to answer any questions parents may have.

The regular Twinkle Babies programs through the library have concluded for the year. This extra installment is similar in that patrons are still requested to register ahead of time, though drop ins are welcome.

“We run our early literacy programs – our Twinkle Baby program which is for babies 12 (months) and under and their caregiver, through the whole year except through the summer,” said Laura Henderson, public services manager with the Strathmore Municipal Library. “Over the years we have often brought in a dietitian to these programs to speak in the program … they do songs and activities, they read books … but this was something that if we have that group in the library already, we should be providing information to (others) as well.”

Twinkle Babies is a registered program at the library capped at 10 families per session. 

The aim of this additional program is to make information available to the community which may otherwise have been more exclusive to the parents who had been able to register for previous sessions.

“If we are providing nutritional information to these families, and it is limited to those 10, there are others who we are missing … and it is really valuable information, so instead we are having her come in for the scheduled program,” said Henderson. “We still called it ‘Twinkle Babies,’ because it’s at that time and geared towards the same age group, but it is open to anyone. There is registration again, and people can just drop in, but it is nice to know how many are coming so the dietician can have enough resources for them.”

Henderson added those who participate in the Twinkle Babies programs often return for their kids to be a part of the Toddler Time, and ABC Kids programs at the library as they age up.

“We are trying to share information. That is definitely what the goal of the library is, is access to information. This is one way that we are able to pass that on … and to provide valuable information to parents in the community.”

The June 3 session will be taking place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the library in the program room.