Encouraging Dramatic Play in the Library

In Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children's fall 2024 issue, Wisconsin's own Terry Ehle, Tami Feuerstein and Sally Taylor have a wonderful article on their thoughtful approach to incorporating early literacy practice in everything they do.

The abstract for the article states: "A moving child is a learning child. Playing is the best way to learn. And the number one factor in preparing children for success is loving interaction between them and their primary caregivers—the parents or “embedded” persons who are their first, favorite, and most important teachers. Those research-based beliefs are the foundation of the Lester (Two Rivers, WI) Public Library’s (LPL) early literacy approach, and we build upon it by incorporating into all programs, including dramatic play, the American Library’s Association’s Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) five early literacy practices: read, talk, play, write, and sing."

The article shares the philosophy behind their approach and a ton of ideas and tips on how they created dramatic play spaces that work. 

You can access the article here at the journal's website [Practice the Practices: Kids Learn Big in Dramatic Play Areas. Ehle, Terry et al. Children and Libraries Journal. Fall 2024. Vol 22, No. 3.]