The Vinton Public Library welcomed children to a special “Science for Tots” program on July 23. Children’s Library Assistant Alyssa Carpenter invited children to “come prepared to get a little messy while exploring different textures, sounds, sights, scents, and more.”

Carpenter told parents and caregivers, “Sensory play is any activity that stimulates your child’s senses. This type of play allows children to explore and use scientific processes as they investigate different materials. Sensory play helps create nerve connections, support fine and gross motor skills, and promote language development and memory.”

The meeting room was packed with children eager to get messy while exploring water, sand, sound shakers, bubbles, cornstarch goop, texture books, and soil, in an atmosphere which encouraged free play and discovery. Carpenter covered the floor with plastic and let them go.

She furnished tips to the families, as she always does at story time sessions, on how to expand the activity at home by encouraging children to explore and by talking to them about what is going on around them. This helps them understand the world and how it works and gives them language for expression.

Visit the Roanoke County website at www.yourlibrary.us to see what activities are coming up at the Vinton Library. Professor Whizzpop is scheduled for Thursday, August 2, at 10 a.m.