Bringing Joy to Children in the Library

Children and parents were moving around, singing and dancing at the East Meadow Public Library for 'Jump for Joy' on Wednesday morning.

"It's one of our most popular and most revered programs," Children's Librarian Donnamarie Hock said.

The program is run by Joy Oddo, who's been running her own company Jump for Joy for about 15 years. Joy incorporates music, props and lots of toys into her hour-long program, keeping kids and parents smiling and entertained. Aside from pure fun, Joy makes an effort to incorporate small educational points into her programs.

"They're learning without realizing they're learning," Joy said.

The most recent class was structured around the weather. The children, ranging from ages 2 to 5, had fun while performing rain dances with tambourines, stretching their arms and legs to the "itsy bitsy spider" and singing songs about sunshine in oversized sunglasses. Before the class ended, Joy recommended a book to the class that related to the theme of their activities.

At the end of each activity, the children happily cleaned up after themselves and waited for the next toys. "Good helpers," Joy said encouraging the kids.

Judy White is a nanny of Matthew Ippilito, 2, and has brought him to Jump for Joy twice before. White said that Matthew really enjoys being around other children and talking with them, but it's the singing and dancing that he enjoys most.

"He has a good memory and he's doesn't forget anything," White said about Matthew. "He'll be singing these songs all day!"

The kids danced under rainbow colored parachutes, mimicking falling leaves in the autumn and snow coming down in winter.

"Joy's able to do things parents and caretakers don't get to do at home," said Hock. "It's a good bonding experience between the kids and whoever brings them here."

Joy has been instructing this program at the East Meadow Public Library for about five years now, according to Hock.

Aside from fun, parents said it's the social aspect of getting their kids involved in activities where they can learn to share and play that seems to be most important.

Kristy Mallo, an East Meadow resident, brought her two children Joey, 2, and Abigail, 1, to Jump for Joy for the first time and said it was a great experience.

"It's about interacting with other kids and having fun, and most of all, no fighting," Mallo said.

One of the most noticeable things about the program is the energy that Joy brings into the room. Music is playing from the instant you walk in, to the moment you walk out, and Joy is always dancing.

"Holy cow! Her energy is just up there the whole time!" Hock said when describing what makes Jump for Joy a unique program.

"We'd definitely come back," said Mallo. "Joy is very interactive with the kids, and she's having a lot of fun, too. I think we'd even travel to anything she does."

Joy Oddo performs her Jump for Joy class throughout libraries in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. To find out the next Jump for Joy class or any other classes offered at the East Meadow Public Library, check their website.