By: Najla Alexander
Hi there, RLS Media friends and family, it's been a minute since you heard from your girl Najla.
I’m trying to keep the winter blues at bay and stay warm as best I can during this harsh winter, and I hope you are, too!
Remember to bundle up, do activities to stimulate your mind, get some fresh air when the weather permits, or even just let the body and mind rest.
Winter is a time that can take its toll on us, where small tasks can seem like a lot and make us feel exhausted, so not to feel as tired, we have to let our bodies rest when they need it, and sometimes even a little extra, to better show up for ourselves and others later.
Outside of rest, we can choose activities that stimulate our minds to reduce stress and chase away the winter blues of feeling stuck in the house all the time because of this crazy snow and freezing temps, whether it’s taking the time to go out to see a movie in person, grabbing some hot chocolate, or even building a LEGO at home. I promise it makes all the difference not to worry about this crazy snow or life’s worries, at least for a little while.
Of course, right here in Carteret, despite the insane weather outside, the library offers so many activities for little ones and parents to get out of the house this winter. They offer movie of the day, story time with Ann, and fun arts & crafts for children of all ages!
“Not much is going on in the winter for kids or even adults to do, so the library gives them a chance to come together out of the house,” a staff member exclaimed.
On January 21st, the Carteret Public Library, located at 100 Cooke Ave. Carteret, NJ 07008, held ‘Storytime and Artistic Creative Expression for Toddlers with Dibble and Dabble’, held earlier in the day at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and late afternoon at 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the Children’s Room.
The kids were able to find a seat on the colorful mat and choose their very own reading buddy to follow along with the Book of the Month: ‘Is Everyone Ready for Fun?’, where the eccentric staff members got the kids excited about reading a new story to teach them about yes, you can have fun, but respect others’ boundaries also.
After such a fun story, you can tell the kids got their wind and were amped up, ready to go! So then they sat down and made their very own chicken hat with colorful feathers and eyes.
Followed by a crowd favorite, The Chicken Dance, the kids were getting into it and not holding back! But not before they were scrambling to sort the colors green, blue, red, and orange, and put them on their correct poles.
“It may not look like it, but there is something for everyone here, even if it’s just a movie,” a parent exclaimed.
What the Carteret Public Library has to offer is a great way not only to get kids out of the house but also to immerse them in creative stories and to let them make their own stories come to life through unique creations. While also teaching them about the colors they see every day and how to identify them.
From the moment I stepped in until I had to leave, I was met with warmth by the staff, parents, and kids. They truly foster a great sense of community there, where you can tell they are family and want you to be part of theirs.
The staff and people there want to make sure more people have a chance to come to these events, so if you work, it’s perfectly okay; they give you time there to get out of work and participate.
RLS Metro Media family and I, thank you for letting me witness such a beautiful thing within my community. Look forward to seeing more exciting events happen there. Remember to stay safe and warm!