Rhyme time PLUS – Play, Learning, Understanding & Support 

Member Centre Spotlight:
Williams Public Library & CRC

Rhyme time sessions with Gem at Williams Public Library & CRC continue to have consistently high numbers on a regular Tuesday but have now been supersized by adding PLUS events roughly once a month. On a regular Tuesday it has averaged at 17 Mums and Babies in attendance and RT PLUS events they average 28.

The RT PLUS events include a special activity or a child development specialist participating in the rhyme time session before taking over and providing activities and information in an interactive format, usually craft or physical activities.  The specialist is able to field any questions during the activity and also after the session during morning tea. 

With funding from State Libraries WA over 12 sessions were run in 2024 which included OT/s, Physio’s, Speech, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, early Maths, Sensory, Boogie Roos, First Aid and more. The funding has ceased but the sessions continue to run as the families are seeing a huge benefit from attending. Williams Public Library & CRC are finding other child development groups such as Wanslea and Primary Health are keen to support these events as they know they can connect with and share knowledge with a consistently high group of interested families.

Williams Public Library & CRC have collaborated with the day care for several events. One such event had 67 people attending including 23 day care kids. This is a huge attendance for a small community. 

The focused “Rhyme time” WhatsApp group is recommended to new families so that they can communicate with any happenings directly. This also helps with planning purposes for craft or catering. 

Rhyme time in the community has become so much more than a story and a few rhymes. In a rural community where isolation can be an issue, it has become a time and place where new families come together to share what they are going through. Williams Public Library & CRC provide a safe space and an opportunity for them to connect with other families and specialists who are able to provide real-time help and referrals if needed. This continually evolving group of parents relish the opportunities that these sessions provide, enjoying this special time with their little ones and loving all that is on offer - Time for Play Leaning Understanding and Support. 

 

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