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

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

3. 5 practices of Early Literacy (from PLA Every Child Ready to Read)
Talking
Singing
Reading
Writing
Playing

4. 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

5. What Is Play?

6. 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

7. 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.

8. The Importance of sensory activities