August 28, 2020

This summer, teens from throughout Marathon County participated in "Write Your Story," the 2020 Teen Short Story Writing Contest. We received some extraordinary pieces and have been impressed with the talent and creativity we've seen!   After careful reading, evaluation and discussion, the judges have made their final decisions, and it's time to announce the winners! For the 12-14-year-old age group, the winners are: 3rd place: (tie)     "The Day I Lost Everything" by Whitley Johnson     "The One-Horned Buck" by Jackson Nechuta 2nd place:     "The House on Maple Street" by Avery Kessen 1st place:  ...

Contests Teens Writing

March 19, 2020

With most families staying at home these days in order to help stop the spread COVID-19, or to avoid catching the disease, parents are having to come up with different ways to engage, entertain, and teach their children. Luckily, one of the easiest ways to get your child's attention is with your own voice and the power of music! You probably already instinctively use music with your children. Whether it's a lullaby to relax them to sleep, a rise-and-shine song in the morning, or even a silly, made-up song about using the potty, most of us use music and song throughout the day to engage with our children. This is one of those parenting instincts that packs an intellectual punch because...

Children Story Times

January 8, 2020

Pretend play is an important part of your child’s development. It encourages imagination and creativity and fosters social and emotional development, and playing with your child helps build language and communication skills as well as strengthening your bond with your child. Children learn by observing, imagining, and doing. Visit the Early Literacy Center at MCPL Wausau in January and February explore in our doctor’s and dentist’s offices and allow your child to decide who they want to pretend to be. Doctor? Dentist? Patient? Hygienist? Nurse? Receptionist? Encourage your child and play along! Ask at the children’s desk if you’d like to borrow...

Children Early Literacy Libraries

November 21, 2019

Do you and your family or friends enjoy playing board games? You’re not alone! More than 5,000 new board games were introduced into the U.S. market in 2017, thus proving that the board game boom is real! Weekly game nights are a great way to unplug and connect with friends and family. If you’re looking to “try-before-you-buy” a game that you don’t already own – or if you just want to play something at the library – we can help! At MCPL Wausau, we have a variety of board games available for in-house checkout. Come see us at the Children’s Desk and pick from our collection of games (a full list of them is available below). Just leave your library card at the desk to borrow the game for in-...

Libraries Catalogs and Collections

March 2, 2019

Parents and care givers, join your children in exploring the world of transportation in the Early Literacy Center (ELC) at the Marathon County Public Library's Wausau Headquarters! Throughout March, April and May, the theme for the ELC will be "Transportation." During these months, parents and children can: ·     Play on the magnetic board! Put together magnetic puzzles of trains, cars, and trucks; play a car color matching game; sort transportation pictures and words by type, and much more! ·     Re-create "The Wheels on the Bus" on the felt story board – and sing along! ·     Create patterned pictures of cars, trains,...

Children Early Literacy

August 15, 2018

Come visit MCPL’s new Early Literacy Center at our Wausau Headquarters!  In September, we’ll begin offering a variety of pet-themed activities, which will be the first of many rotating themes planned for the Early Literacy Center.  One of the many pet-themed activities you’ll be able to enjoy with your child includes a veterinary dramatic play set, complete with a veterinarian costume and all of the equipment needed to take care of our (stuffed) furry friends! Dramatic play is an integral part of a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. In learning to follow the rules of dramatic play, a child learns to coordinate with others, make plans, and resolve conflicts. ...

Children Early Literacy