23
Nov
Sonya’s Chickens + Chicken Coop Pretend Play
Learning through story is a powerful way to engage kids, especially when it comes to learning about the interconnectedness of the natural world in which we live. Life and death and are not easy topics to communicate, but Phoebe Wahl’s picture book, Sonya’s Chickens (Public Library | Local Bookstore) does a masterful job using storytelling […]
20
Nov
DIY Light Table + Light Play Explorations
…. Or perhaps the post should be titled “A Tale of Two Light Tables”? Below are two DIY light table methods, one I created last year and one I put together this month. After reading more about the Reggio Emilia educational approach and being inspired by the photos in this post by Racheous, I’ve been trying to find more opportunities […]
21
Oct
Autumn Fairy Dust
This Autumn Fairy Dust activity is a unique, whimsical way to play outside and learn about the autumn season that calls on phenology, imagination, and a touch of magic. Ingredients Autumn leaves Dried flowers and spices (We used cloves, cider spices, roses, clover buds, and lavender) Flower seeds Small empty glass jars Edible glitter* Before […]
30
Jan
Nature Center Snowflake Study
In December, right before the Winter Solstice, I winterized the library Nature Center with one of nature’s exquisite cold weather wonders: Snowflakes. Learning about snowflakes, or snow crystals, is a terrific exploration of science, math, and art. It also doesn’t hurt that the craze for the movie Frozen has sparked even more curiosity into these teeny […]
27
Jan
Photography Fun in the Library
As an ongoing effort to incorporate various opportunities for creative forms of documentation and self expression for children in the library, I recently added a photography provocation that can be used anytime by kids during regular library visits. Fun, right? Here’s how it works. Young library visitors can ask to be the “Official Kid Photographer” […]
20
Dec
Draw a Yeti
When I saw this tweet floating around the DC Public Library Twitter feed the night before Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a great project for our Kids’ Room craft station. So that night, during a blimp of down time, I whipped up this document and that was it! Since then, a flurry of yetis […]
1
Oct
Shared Story Provocation: Bookmaking & Kids’ Library
The Bookmaking Station and Kids’ Library are two new provocations I have created that have become a popular fixture for kids of all ages (as well as adults). This idea stemmed from my daughter’s sudden interest in creating her own books. This is one of her earlier creations that is “for kids at the library, […]
29
Sep
Provocation to Connect With Nature in the Library
Finally! A teeny amount of free time to blog! Over the past several weeks I’ve been working on setting up provocation stations in the library, so the next several posts will be devoted to the creation of these exhibits. The goal of the provocations, which will be modified seasonally or monthly like the new post office, […]
18
Aug
Speedy Delivery! Post Office in the Library
Ever since I read this post by Anne Clark from So Tomorrow about the writing center in her library (so smart) AND watching my own child create notes and letters at a provocation station in preschool, I’ve been itching to try this out… A Post Office! In the library! For kids! The Post Office is […]
