BELLEVILLE – Staff of the Kiddy Barn in Belleville enjoyed longevity bonuses paid from a Hansen Foundation grant, and the children are enjoying new reading material and educational toys.

The class favorite has become The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, because the book came with props of all the things she swallowed. The children laugh every day as they watch the old lady swallow everything while reading the book again.

A Montessori jungle gym that grows with the baby from birth to 18 months has been the most popular play mat. It can be turned into a tent and has five developmental zones that help a baby learn and grow through the first year of life.