Just as stories provide mirrors, windows, and sliding doors for folks – toys can too! Being intentional with the items we place in our public spaces makes our spaces more engaging. Being creative with our toys and play spaces also helps us make our limited budgets go further. One way we’re being intentional within our library play space is through our doll play. We were able to purchase the “Play-All-Around Dollhouse,” furniture, and “Lakeshore Block Play People – Complete Set” from Lakeshore Learning for our children’s area. We elected to withhold the furniture pieces that were choking hazards and only put out what fit easily within the rooms. This also means a little less to clean up. Please note, this is not an advertisement for Lakeshore; I simply find their toys made well for long-lasting play. For the dolls, we chose 34 of the people to create 12 families. Some…
Category: Blogger Early Childhood Programs and Services committee
Outreach can be tough…
Outreach and Schools- Should I contact them one more time? You ask yourself as you stare at that email nudge at the top of your screen. It’s hard! I’m sure if you ask any public children’s librarian they will have a long list of ways they tried to get in touch with and partner with the schools in their area. If you were to ask me I would tell you it’s all about baby steps. Every interaction with someone from the school system is a potential opportunity to remind them that the library exists. I think it is important to add to this post that I started my position on November 2, 2020. It was a strange time. My library was ‘by appointment only’ in the children’s room. Schools were off limits, most children were learning at home or by zoom. Navigating schools didn’t get much easier when the world…
Building bridges of understanding: Outstanding International Books to share in storytime
Each year USBBY, the US section of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People), selects Outstanding International Books (OIB) – books originating or first published in a country other than the US. This list is a natural extension of USBBY’s mission – to build bridges of understanding through children’s and young adult books. As a member of the OIB committee and ALSC’s Early Childhood and Preschool Services committee, I’m excited to highlight some that are perfect for sharing in storytime.
Mindfulness: Books for Young Readers
I am the Youth and Teen Collections Librarian for the eight locations that comprise my library system, and I am responsible for purchasing all materials for ages 0-17. In the past few years, I have noticed an increase in materials addressing mindfulness, meditation, and calming activities for all age groups. Researchers and health professionals are sounding the alarm regarding the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety for children ages 3-17. While the pandemic had a huge impact on mental and emotional health, the current state of the world has continued to contribute to the concerning rise of stress in young children. The following booklist offers a variety of books for young readers to help navigate emotional challenges. I am hoping you will find some helpful titles to offer patrons, caregivers, and readers insight and guidance. Several books offer instructions for mindful breathing and calming movements. Many of the practices covered…
Build It Up: Pyramid Model in Libraries
Over the last several years, I have been part of a local group called The High Plains Early Childhood Collaborative (HPECC) that aims to create a caring community where children are seen as valuable members. HPECC consists of childcare providers, program directors, and other early childhood professionals. This group came together with the help of Lincoln County Rooted in Relationships with a long-term goal of creating sustaining opportunities for social -emotional development in children ages birth to 8 years old. One of the primary activities of Rooted in Relationships is Pyramid Model implementation for center and home-based childcare providers. I began learning about the Pyramid Model when I started doing outreach with the local public school Pre-K classrooms. All classroom teachers and support staff were trained in the Pyramid Model Framework and utilized the methods in their classrooms. There are three tiers to the Pyramid Model as outlined by The…
Creating Calm Spaces
Libraries today are more than just places to borrow books—they’re safe, welcoming spaceswhere families can connect, relax, and feel supported. One simple but meaningful way libraries are making that happen is through calming corners and wellness rooms. These quiet, cozy spots are designed with caregivers and young children in mind—especially infants, toddlers, and preschoolers of all abilities. It’s a calm, welcoming spacefor feeding infants, soothing big emotions during transitions, or simply taking a breathbefore returning to the bustle of play and exploration. We’ve learned that supporting the emotional well-being of families often comes down tointentionality and mindfulness in everyday interactions. By creating environments that aredevelopmentally appropriate and emotionally supportive, libraries can be places whereboth children and caregivers feel seen, safe, and connected. A Wellness Room That’s why we recently repurposed a study room into a Wellness Room, designed to meetthe needs of caregivers and young children who might need a…
Play While Reading
Interactive picture books are perfect for storytime! Library storytimes offer many benefits, including promoting early literacy and language development. We also want to show that reading is fun! Interactive books engage readers by having them actively participate in the story. Some of the benefits include encouraging body movement and awareness, learning to follow instructions, and interacting with a storyteller.Some books will work better than others in a group setting. The interactive elements may also need to be adjusted depending on the age of the participants. However, all of these titles offer the reader a chance to play by following cues. The effects of their actions help further the fun in the story.
Playful Learning @ the Library
Why Play Matters Research shows that brain development during the first years of life is incredibly rapid. During these formative years, children learn and grow in the context of personal relationships, with their early experiences shaping their future health, behavior, and learning. Public libraries serve as trusted community resources, offering caregivers essential support in navigating the early stages of child development. Within this framework, play spaces have emerged as a critical element of youth services, offering children and their caregivers valuable avenues for learning, creativity, and social interaction. Play has a particularly significant role in early childhood development and is central to how children grow across all areas of development. Play fosters cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical growth; library play spaces can nurture this important process. Creating Connection & Community A comfortable and welcoming environment filled with diverse opportunities for exploration and play encourages meaningful interactions between caregivers and children…