Shake, Rattle, & Read at the Edison Public Library is returning this fall, offering an engaging and gentle storytime experience for the youngest readers in the community. Designed for children from birth to 20 months, the lapsit program provides a unique opportunity for infants and their caregivers to explore the joys of books, songs, fingerplays, and gentle movement in a supportive and interactive setting. Scheduled to begin Monday, September 8, 2025, the program will run every Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. through October 6, 2025, in the library’s main meeting room, allowing families to participate on a weekly basis without the need for registration or advance sign-up.
Each 30-minute session encourages parents, guardians, and caregivers to sit with their children on their laps, engaging them in a series of simple books, rhymes, and songs designed to stimulate early literacy and cognitive development. The gentle pace, combined with bounces, tickles, and cuddles, creates an environment where pre-walking infants can develop an early appreciation for reading while strengthening the bond with their caregivers. This interactive program is especially suited for children who are not yet walking, offering a calm and focused introduction to storytelling that emphasizes participation and sensory engagement rather than structured instruction.
Over the course of the five-week series, participants will have the chance to experience a range of stories, musical activities, and fingerplay routines, all tailored to the developmental needs of infants. By repeating the program weekly, the library provides consistency that allows children to become familiar with routines and gain comfort in the group setting, promoting confidence and social engagement from an early age. The program’s design also supports language development and rhythm recognition, laying the foundation for future literacy skills while making reading and music enjoyable and accessible.
Located at 340 Plainfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey, the Edison Public Library has become a hub for family-focused programming, providing residents with a variety of educational and recreational activities throughout the year. Shake, Rattle, & Read is just one example of the library’s commitment to fostering early childhood literacy and community engagement. By offering free, recurring programs that welcome infants and their caregivers, the library strengthens its role as a resource for families seeking high-quality, accessible learning experiences.
For parents looking to introduce their children to books and music in a gentle, interactive setting, this lapsit storytime offers an ideal opportunity. Beyond fostering early literacy, the program encourages caregivers to participate actively, creating meaningful bonding experiences while supporting their children’s early developmental milestones. Families interested in learning more about this program or other cultural and educational activities across New Jersey can explore entertainment and events in the state, which highlights a wide array of opportunities for families, children, and adults to engage with local communities through music, storytelling, and interactive programming.
Monday, September 8, 2025 – 10:00am to 10:30am
Monday, September 15, 2025 – 10:00am to 10:30am
Monday, September 22, 2025 – 10:00am to 10:30am
Monday, September 29, 2025 – 10:00am to 10:30am
Monday, October 6, 2025 – 10:00am to 10:30am
