Playing Around: The Library’s Role in Playful Learning for Young Children

Play and learning are two sides of the same coin. Young children learn essential skills through play, yet access to play and play spaces is being reduced across the country. Libraries can serve a critical gap in any community by offering opportunities for free, safe, fun spaces that allow children and caregivers to play together. This course explores how to positively impact access to play and help children ages 0-5 thrive through a combination of theory-based learning and practical tools. We will focus on research about play and the ways play influences literacy; and creating high-quality play spaces in a library of any size and any budget. Participants will emerge with an understanding of the ways libraries can support play and how to make change at their own institution.

Learning outcomes:

Learners will gain a basic understanding of child brain development and how play supports brain development

Learners will identify what skills children are building when they play

Learners will articulate the role of libraries in supporting playful learning

Learners will develop a personalized play plan for their libraries

Learners will identify sustainable strategies for play space maintenance

Who should take this class?

Staff who serve youth ages 0-5 in public libraries.