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Silverdale librarian’s BabyBAND program uses music to boost early literacy, spreads across Kitsap
Summary
A Silverdale youth services librarian described BabyBAND, a music-and-movement early literacy program designed to lower language barriers and support neurodivergent children. Board members praised its reach and asked about resources to expand the program across the Kitsap Regional Library system.
A Silverdale youth services librarian told the Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees that a music-and-movement program she created has become a low-barrier pathway to early literacy and has spread to other branches across the county.
"I wanted to offer an alternative to Baby Storytime that reduced language barriers and accommodated children who might not do well in traditional storytime settings," said Aliyah Jerdeka, Silverdale youth services librarian, describing BabyBAND as "language and literacy development through active musical play." She said the program began from her background in child development and an observation that caregivers who hesitated to attend storytime engaged readily with instruments and movement.
The program’s emphasis on music and movement, Jerdeka said, supports multiple developmental skills: "Music lights up so many centers of the brain...it helps strengthen the corpus callosum," she said, listing gross- and fine-motor practice, pattern recognition, phonemic awareness and social skills that can arise in group music activities. Jerdeka added that music "transcends language" and can make library programming more accessible to families for whom English is not a first language.
Deputy Director of Public Services Shannon Peterson introduced Jerdeka to the board and said the program has been ‘‘so successful that it is now spread to other locations throughout the county.’’ Peterson and other trustees credited Jerdeka with empowering caregivers to continue musical activities at home and noted interest from other Washington libraries in adopting the model.
Board members asked about age range and supporting materials. Jerdeka said BabyBAND is geared to children about birth through age 3 and that the system created early-learning kits during 2020 so families can try the activities at home. "We made baby band early learning kits during...2020, so that way everyone can do baby band at home or at their own pace," she said. She told trustees that continuing funding for those kits and staff time to offer the program in more branches are the primary needs to expand service.
Trustees noted outside interest in adopting the program. Peterson said other library districts, including Timberland Regional Library and Yakima Valley Libraries, have requested program materials and that there is statewide interest in presentations or workshops.
Board members and staff described anecdotal uptake: several trustees said BabyBAND is one of the most-talked-about programs at some branches and praised its community-building effects. Anna Capriel Comas, Silverdale branch manager, attended in support and did not offer substantive changes.
The board did not take formal action on funding for BabyBAND during the meeting; trustees asked staff about needs and praised the program’s research basis and accessibility features. The presentation closed with trustees encouraging wider adoption and noting program materials and simple at-home activities as potential priorities for future support.
