MDPLS’s Bilingual Storytime

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Miami Dade Public Library System’s (MDPLS) librarians realized there was a need within their communities for bilingual-type programs to reach a large population of Miami-Dade County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to recreational and educational outlets was scarce, and parents and caregivers did not have places to go where their children would be able to socialize and learn a new language. Offering this format of programs made it more inclusive and led to the creation of Bilingual Storytime in October 2020. Unbeknownst to them, bilingual programming encompasses numerous benefits to children such as promoting literacy and building social skills in a safe environment.  Bilingual Storytime, which began virtually and has since pivoted to include face-to-face programs, is an educational language learning program designed to allow children the opportunity to learn and/or practice Spanish language skills in an immersive group environment. Participants practice speaking Spanish while connecting through stories, songs, and rhymes. This program helps them learn a new language and bridges the gap between two of the common languages found in Miami-Dade County.