27°
TUCKAHOE, N.Y. Tuckahoe children were introduced to the basics of ballet Thursday afternoon, as volunteers from Studio B Dance Center in Eastchester taught a class to youngsters at the library.
Shannon Reynolds and Nancy Rothenberg hosted two dance sessions at the Tuckahoe Public Library one for 2- and 3-year-olds, and another for children as old as 6. During the short lessons, they introduced the kids to everything from pliés to pirouettes.
Rothenberg said the lessons were part of a larger curriculum, Angelinas Ballerinas, that incorporates literature with dance classes.
Its a special curriculum that helps develop dance and motor skills, she said. Its a program that is new to the United States. It started in England before going to Australia and Ireland. Were one of about 110 studios that participate in the program.
In addition to fostering a love of dance at an early age, the program afforded youth services librarian Ellen Tannenbaum another opportunity to introduce the children to the library.
We hope that everyone has a good time, but its more about getting them to think about the library in a different way. We want them to feel comfortable here, she said.
After participating in the ballet lessons, many of the participants stayed in the library with their parents, perusing books and using the librarys computers and toys. Tannenbaum said that was one of the goals of the program to draw more families to the community center. During the summer the library has also hosted a magician and petting zoo, all in the interest of getting kids more comfortable there at a young age.
It all goes back to the library being a focal point of the community, she said. Its not just about books anymore.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Eastchester and receive free news updates.
