By Carol Phares

Guest Columnist 

Readers of all ages will explore all things scientific this summer as the Pearl River County Library System presents “Fizz, Boom, Read!” summer library program. Activities include science experiments, robot building, nature explorations and so much more.

I think it comes as no surprise to parents that if their child does not practice a skill, that child loses ability in that skill. The same goes for the skill of reading. Reading is not something that humans do naturally. It is something we learn and have to practice to improve. For example, a child leaves 3rd grade, reading at a 4th grade level. If the child does not read over the summer, his chances of reading at a 4th grade level in the fall are slim. So, he is handicapped at the beginning of the 4th grade.

But if that same child reads over the course of the summer, and it doesn’t matter what he reads, at the minimum, he will enter 4th grade reading at the same level as when he left 3rd grade. Chances are, though, he will have improved his reading skills and will read at an even higher level, giving him a head-start in the fall.

So, let your child “Fizz, Boom, Read!” The programs are free and open to young people, preschool through young adult with programs, prize drawings, story times, and more. Crosby Memorial Library will have its kick-off program Tuesday, June 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with Team CHAOS, Picayune High School’s Robotics Club, giving a presentation of their award winning robots. The Tuesday Activity Days are for children who have finished 1st grade through the 6th grade. Story Hour with Ms. Sylvia is Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. for preschool children and those who have not finished the 1st grade.

Poplarville Public Library is looking forward to a great summer, as well. Programs for the 7 to 12 year-olds are Mondays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The kick-off isJune 5, with ‘Wild Weather Explorers’, where the children will create a tornado in a bottle and a see how a storm surge behaves and why it’s so dangerous. On Thursdays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., 3 to 6 year olds will have their turn at exploring science.

All programs at each library are free for the children and run for 6 weeks from June 7 to July 11. The schedule is on the library’s website calendar which can be accessed through http://www.pearlriver.lib.ms.us. You can also talk to the friendly staff at either library and they will give you a brochure with all the needed information inside.

These programs are funded through the generosity of Friends of Crosby Library and the Friends of Poplarville Public Library.

This is one of the ways your donations to either of the Friends groups are spent. So, while you’re at the library signing up for the summer reading program for your child, why not ask about how you can join the Friends of the Library?

Have a question? Give us a call! We are pumped about this summer and are just waiting for you to come and enjoy! Crosby Memorial Library at 601-798-5081 or Poplarville Public Library at 601-795-8411.