Preschool Services Discussion Group Meeting
ALA Midwinter 2014
Topic: "Play and Early Literacy”
Speaker: Amanda Roberson, Assistant Branch Manager, St. Mary’s County Library, Lexington Park, MD.
Attendance: 35
Meeting Notes:
§ Discussed ALSC partnership with LEGO/DUPLO
§ Importance of Play – play is not silly, children are learning about their world
§ Other pluses: social norms (interacting with other children); learning cause & effect; finding solutions to problems; literacy connections as they are telling stories, engaging in pretend play. (Ex. A pen can be a magic wand, make the leap to shapes and sounds of letters). First conceptual play, then imaginative play.
§ Play supports narrative skills, print awareness, letter knowledge/recognition, vocabulary
§ Narrative skills: use of new vocabulary. Can add through reading, singing, talking (dialogic questions with group. Fingerplays help later with writing (developing small muscle coordination).
§ Add toys, blocks – good for imagination, sensory skills. Can be individualized or can play with other children OR librarian can help model for parents.
§ Speaker’s experience is that parents’ faces light up when asked to play with their child. We can model how to join a child at play and make it a meaningful experience. Same questions used with books can be used with play.
§ Blocks may not be available at home so you are introducing block play to children and their parents. It might be there first block experience. It is an enticing way to get parents to come along to learn.
§ How can you add play? Purchase simple (classic) toys or use a box in creative ways to develop vocabulary and communication.
§ Timing of adding play? When during storytime? How Long? Librarian does not need to stay the entire time with the group. Play it by ear.
§ Does it matter where it occurs? Consider your spacing and adapt .
§ Parent objections OR staff objections about play? It is one of ECRR2’s recommended practices. Teach the importance of play prior to introducing play. Active Language versus noise disruption. If someone says “They’re just playing” response should be “Yes – isn’t that great?”
§ Add cards explaining the importance of play. Dr. Stuart Brown’s book – can change attitudes with just a few quotes. Seminars to retrain adults to play. Book - Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
Discussion:
§ (Tim Wadham) Library collaborates with the Tacoma Children’s Museum. “Play to Learn” exhibits weekly. He suggests looking for partnerships with common goals.
§ (Sue McCleaf Nespeca) ALSC has a white paper on the importance of play. Can use for grant writing etc. It is on the website in several formats, including one that is very professional with nice graphics etc. http://www.ala.org/alsc/importance_of_play
§ Suggestions from numerous people on the BEST TOYS.
o Blocks – big sturdy cardboard ones like those made by Melissa and Doug.
o Lakeshore has color foam blocks that can be washed in a machine or dishwasher. Need to clean often. Bleach solution of one tablespoon of black in one gallon of water. Spray with this solution and it is sanitized. Will not bleach garments but till be sanitized according to most state regulations. Also can use Simple Green 1 to 10 solution with water. And, ½ white vinegar and ½ water can be sprayed from a spritzer bottle.
o Lakeshore – Straws and connectors – large structures
o Plastic animals
o Flannelboard pieces and felt cut in die-cut machine of stories for children to play with on felt board
o Lacing Cards – patterns – good for fine motor – leads to writing skills
o Lakeshore – sensory balls (plastic). They are dishwasher safe. You can describe textures. (for babies)
o Magnetic color maze
o Puppets – even can use white socks for puppets
o Magnetic gears
o Magnetic flat shapes to build “houses” of different sizes
o Play food – also Melissa and Doug. Dishes, plates, felt “sandwiches,” – they even have sushi.
o Creative tubes or plastic tubes with feathers etc.
o Flashlight play – shadows etc.
o Floam – available from Discount School Supply
o Greg and Steve have several songs that children pretend & use their imagination. For example, a pretend trip on a space ship, pretend animals with their “freeze songs.”
o ABC blocks available in Chinese blocks, Russian, etc. Uncle Goose Language Blocks.
o Dress-up materials
o Puzzles
o Clean plastic boxes with lids – sensory for younger children
§ Also talked about circulating toys and ways to alleviate problems. Can use hanging bags for toys. Try to buy things without too many small pieces.
§ Try getting grants to purchase toys. (Again, use ALSC white paper for research).
§ Resources – Pam Schiller books
Annual 2014 Conference ---
Topic for Conference in Vegas: “Inclusivity in Storytime Programs: Including Autistic, Learning-Disabled and Handicapped Children”
Reminders:
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Submitted by:
Sue McCleaf Nespeca