As the manager of a library with an active and busy Early Literacy Center, I’m always looking for new ways to create playful learning opportunities. Research shows that children learn most from self-directed play: activities chosen by children, where they create the structure and rules. The more I learn about play, the more I try to facilitate open-ended, child-driven play, and to help my staff and families and caregivers understand the value of this type of play. I wrote about one particularly inspiring presentation at ALSC Institute 2022 on this blog: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2022/09/rethinking-play/. So I wanted to share a summer program we started in 2023 that is easy to implement and easy to replicate, focused on play (guessing that some of you may be working on summer plans now or soon!) Play Lab, held weekly in June and July takes place outdoors. Going outdoors became more typical for many libraries during…
Tag: outdoor programs
Outdoor Programs for Summer
Do you want to do messy programming but dread the indoor cleanup? Do you want to include more nature elements in your summer program? Maybe the weather is nice where you live and you want to take advantage of it. All of the above are true for me and I am going to share some ideas for outdoor programs that you can use in the summer or other times of the year if you have good weather.
Family Hikes with the Simsbury Land Trust
This summer, the Simsbury Public Library, CT successfully facilitated a Family Hike in partnership with the Simsbury Land Trust. Here’s how we did it, and why we think you should consider planning a family hike too. Health and wellness programs are always a good idea and outdoor programming has exploded in popularity since the pandemic. After 2+ years, we’ve fully mastered outdoor storytimes, outdoor music and movement, and outdoor art programs, but a hiking program was something relatively new to us. Simsbury, CT has an abundance of beautiful natural places, parks, and trails, but some are more visible and well-known than others. Enter the Simsbury Land Trust. We are fortunate that the Land Trust in our community is an active and thriving organization. Founded in 1976, the Simsbury Land Trust is a federally-recognized, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Governed by a volunteer board of trustees elected by the membership, the Simsbury…
19 Positive Summer Reading Activities During COVID
Adapt If COVID has taught me anything, it is to keep in mind the one-word slogan of Navy SEALS: Adapt. We are public librarians. We adapt. We adapted during the digital age to maintain our relevance. COVID is not going to stop us. Irrespective of where you are right now, summer reading has boiled down to three options: passive, curbside or virtual. We remain in the unique position of being able to touch the lives and hearts of our community. We have a responsibility to remain positive, and to disseminate hope. Read on to see how 19 positive summer reading activities during COVID can make the difference. 1 – Radio I’ll never forget growing up the impact just one radio station had on my hometown. The station was 45 minutes away by car, but everyone in my school knew it; always had it on. You couldn’t see the DJs, but…