Read & Play: The Big Brooklyn Playdate
JessicaCoordinator of Early Literacy ProgramsWhat do a pool full of shredded paper, stack of foam blocks, and sticky wall begging to be covered in an array of colors and textures have in common? They’re all explorations awaiting babies and toddlers at the Big Brooklyn Playdate! On the day of the Playdate, children ages 0-3 and their caregivers enter a magical world of play and learning at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library. Hands-on, open-ended activities, known as Play Recipes, not only enchant and engage children, but activate their brains and spark learning. Pulling a colorful scarf out of a tissue box is really a…
Play at the Library
JessicaCoordinator of Early Literacy ProgramsA young toddler carefully pokes long glittery pipe cleaners, one after the other, through tiny holes in a large plastic colander. After he finishes, he places it on his head and screams, delightedly, “HAT!” Nearby, a group of crawling and rolling babies maneuver around a brightly colored, multi textured surface made of bubble wrap, textured bath mats, towels, and reflective fabric. They reach for crinkled colorful pieces of cellophane, and brightly colored textured balls. In another corner, seated babies play in a baby pool full of shredded paper, as more active…
Back to PreSchool
JessicaCoordinator of Early Literacy Programs
Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers, and PreSchoolers
The back to school aisle at the drugstore still thrills me. I don’t think I am alone. There is a back-to-school fever out there in consumer-land: mix-and-match clothing sets, colorful school supplies (I still have my rainbow hearts Trapper Keeper), mom-blogs filled with healthy lunch recipes, and parent facebook groups with 100+thread discussions on finding the best bento-box snack container!
Outside in the City
JessicaCoordinator of Early Literacy ProgramsEarly Literacy Nature Explorations for Children 0-5 When I was growing up, I remember my mother saying “If children are cranky, you should put them in water.” This sensory version of a timeout now makes perfect sense to me after years of teaching and parenting two children under 4. Nothing resets a tired, frustrated, or bored child like some good old fashioned sensory play. But did you know that sensory play in nature (think mudpies), improves attention, helps us organize and release thoughts and emotions, inspires language development, and even makes us smarter (and happier!)…