Children’s Librarians Sensory Play-On the Go! Children’s Librarians Amanda Pendzick & Jessica Servello

Wiring of the Brain! Three Years 90% One Year 75% Birth 25%

5 practices of Early Literacy (from PLA Every Child Ready to Read) Talking Singing Reading Writing Playing

Choosing and Sharing Books for Babies & Toddlers Choosing Books: Pick books with familiar objects Simple & clear illustrations Simple text or wordless books “Chunky” Books Interactive Books (lift-the-flap, pop-up) Cloth and Soft Vinyl Books Sharing Books: Talk & Sing about the pictures Let children turn the pages Make books part of your everyday life Let children point to pictures & describe what they see A few minutes is OK-don’t worry if you don’t finish the story Make it personal-talk about you family, pets & community while reading Children imitate adults, let them observe you reading

What Is Play?

SPICE in your play makes learning happen everyday! Social Physical Intellectual Creative Emotional (JESSICA) SPICE IN YOUR PLAY MAKES LEARNING HAPPEN EVERYDAY SPICE is an acronym which reminds us of the areas of early development These Areas are essential to producing well-rounded children Each area is enhanced through self-directed play Social Development : Offers Children the Opportunity to Create Relationships To Cooperate, To Communicate, To Share, To Listen, To have a Sense of Belonging, To Learn Manners. To accept Rules & Limits and To Make Decisions (i.e. Kitchen) Physical Development : Means Children Are Learning To Use Large and Small Muscles They Are Learning Coordination, Flexibility, Balance & Strength (i.e. Running) HELP BUILDS PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT/CONFIDENCE USING THEIR BODIES Intellectual Development: Helps Children Learn To Solve Problems (blocks, puzzles)-MATH SKILLS use their Imagination and create new ideas make Sense of their World & Environment (i.e. what symbols stand for/Stop sign Through Intellectual Development Children can Understand their Ideas and Make Connections Create scenarios through play (i.e. dress-up) Creative Development: Expressing their creativity & curiosity Use their Imagination Come Up With New Ideas Playing Outside/ Art Exploration Emotional Development: During Emotional Development And As Children Learn to Master Their Play They Learn Patience, Attention Skills, Self Confidence, Learn to Express Their Feelings to Adults & to Other Children AND Understand other Peoples Feelings Independence

The Importance of Play (AMANDA) We want Families to know that : Play Is Not Only OK but should be encouraged b/c It is a Major Part of Early Learning for Young Children children learn about themselves through play Child can make mistakes during play (and it is ok because it is in a safe environment) Toys and sensory experiences are just as essential as books Lots of rich language is used during play and sensory experiences The best toys do not include blinking lights or batteries. The simpler the toy the better (more complex) the play will be 90% child, 10% toy (I hope most of you are using classic, simple toys in your home visits. Melissa & Doug is a great company to use. Wooden toys are always a great option). You are a Model: You are modeling to parents with the activities you bring on your visits You provide them with age appropriate books and toys and drop simple tips to parents during visits. (In a non-pushy way) Small things like talking about the pictures in a book and making a connection to everyday life is something a parent can see you model in a home visit then do again with the child. You are a Messenger: Tell parents that Every time their baby hears, sees, touches, tastes, or smells something a connection is made in their brain. The more variety a child has in their play experiences, the more brain connections are made. You show parents by offering toys in your visits that play is important.

The Importance of sensory activities