In April, we launched an exciting new program, the Grow a Reader Playgroup! This 5 week program met on Thursday mornings starting before library hours at 9:30am and ending at 11:00am, and it took place in the Benham Gallery. You may be familiar with this space from our other programs, but you wouldn't have recognized the space once we had it set up for playgroup! The room was transformed into a dynamic play space with separate play areas for toddlers and babies, a dramatic play zone with a kitchen, dress ups, and puppet theater, as well as a gross motor play area with a climbing structure and balls. We also had a sensory break nook, reading area, and an art table located just outside the room in the lobby.
How is a playgroup different from storytime you may ask? The library already provides so many wonderful weekly programs for littles- what makes this one different? The Grow a Reader Playgroup is a passive program where kids and their caretakers are able to play, explore, and learn in a safe environment with age appropriate activities. Other than the last few minutes of the program, there is no formal sit-down component to this program. Caregivers are able to get to know each other and have a space to interact with other adults, as well as space to play and learn with their littles. Research shows that the first steps in your child’s early literacy journey start with play, so even thought this program may feel less educational than a traditional storytime, it is just as educational!
Each week the program had a different theme, and we invited an expert from the area to attend the group. They were able to present their resources to parents, and then spend time playing with the children and chatting with their grownups about any concerns or questions they might have. The themes were General Parenting, Child Development, Speech and Language, Nutrition, and Music and Movement. We also partnered with local business Espresso Bar and Cafe to provide coffee and snacks each week for our families.
In addition to the play area, we also offered an exploratory art table with a different project or activity each week. Some of those activities were: a large sensory bin with alphabet letters, homemade playdough, and cutting and making a collage with paper. Kids were encouraged to explore and practice fine motor skills at this station, but with no pressure for a final product.
At the end of each session, Ms. Katie led a mini storytime with songs, books, fingerplays and other activities. Families were encouraged to sit with their kids like a traditional storytime- though this proved to be difficult with all the toys in the room! Grownups found that this portion of the program went better once we moved it out into the lobby where our reading and art areas were located.
You may have heard us mention our Family Place Library accreditation before if you spend lots of time in Youth Services, but this program is a large part of the requirements that we need to meet in order to achieve this accreditation. The session held during the month of April was our pilot program, and we are extremely grateful to all who joined us, offered feedback through the program, and came to play every week! This program will be offered again this year in August (starting July 31st), and we hope to offer it quarterly in the future. If you are interested in more information and being on the waitlist for August, follow this link!