Baby Bounce & Rhyme Time - Harleston Library

Bounce and Rhyme Time is a weekly session for parents and pre-school children run within each of our 47 Norfolk Libraries. The session aims are to encourage parents and carers to share songs and rhymes with their children, through a 20 minute long group session at the library. The sessions also provide a safe space for parents to ask questions about anything they have concerns about, find information and meet other parents.

The principles of the sessions are:

• To build parents confidence in encouraging their child’s literacy
• To offer a weekly session of songs and rhymes for children to enjoy
• To offer a safe space for parents to ask questions
• To be able to link parents to relevant information and services

The core aims of the role are:

• To prepare songs, stories and rhymes for a 15-20 minute session delivered within a library
• To attend at a regular time each week and lead the singing of rhymes and songs
• To work with the Library Manager as necessary regarding the preparation and delivery of the session
• To occasionally help make parents aware of other services for children that are also available within the library or signpost queries to staff
• To occasionally promote joining the library and the Bookstart scheme available to families
• To encourage parents and carers to visit the library and borrow books to share at home
• To encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds to participate in sessions through the selection of songs and rhymes that reflect a range of different cultures

Volunteers should have the following skills:

• Good communication skills  
• Ability to provide a friendly, approachable and professional customer service
• Enjoys working with young children & a desire to encourage young children to engage in singing, rhyming & reading
• A good rapport with young children and their carers
• Able to attend regular weekly sessions