Toys in the Children's Department!

SLJ - First Steps: Play

Hopefully we all know that play is one of the "Big Five" components of the Every Child Ready To Read initiative.  But how do we make play happen at the library?  It probably, *gasp* involves toys in the Children's area.  For those of us with limited space, or perhaps resistant administrators, placing toys in the library can be a challenge.  Not to worry!  Check out THIS article by Lisa G. Kropp from the School Library Journal.  Kropp presents great ideas for convincing arguments, limited space, and even what toys to start with.  It is definitely time to play!

Little Hands Need to Grip

Wonder Lab: Leaves

Recently, a member on the Storytime Underground Facebook group posted the article "Losing our grip: More students entering school without fine motor skills".  Like other commenters on the post, my first thought was "This is why we do crafts in storytime". 

The crafts we do are very simple.  The main focus is the child handling the crayons, glue sticks, and such, not creating a memento.  Many times toddlers love to rip up the craft after it's done.  Part of their process and we must respect!

If storytime is not an ideal time for crafts at your library, Host separate programs that involve hands-on activities, like toddler art times and STEM for preschoolers.  At my library, we find ideas on the blogs Show Me Librarian and Library Makers. 

If possible, have crafts and toys in the library.  We put leftover crafts in the children's area. Be careful about scissors, though, in the library.  One unsupervised preschooler cut up a library book.  You can find ideas for toys in a recent article in School Library Journal "Why toys should be in every children’s department—and how to make it happen".

Toys, Toys, Toys!

Our guest blogger today is Linda DeCramer of the Ripon Public Library

One of the most exciting additions of 2012 to our children’s offerings at Ripon Public Library, has been a toylending library. Through support from our local noon Kiwanis and the Webster Foundation, renovations were made to an area of our children’s department, a local teen built shelving as part of his Senior project, carpeting was installed and toys were purchased with guidance from a family development specialist.

Next the challenge of creating library-appropriate-packaging, bibliographic records, and cataloging the toys began.  This was initially a bit daunting as criteria and consistencies needed to be developed, from square one, for every step. After discussion and input from many, I eventually arrived at a workable, though time consuming, processing and cataloging system..

Currently we house approximately 60 toys, developmentally appropriate for ages 0-6+years. Some basic purchasing criteria are: no batteries required, sturdy enough to stand up to library patron use, noncommercial, educational, fosters imaginative play. Eventually, our hope is to more than double the collection, and add items of interest to ages 6-10years. Noon Kiwanis will provide annual funding to the collection with proceeds from an annual pancake breakfast.  

Image from the Oregon Wooden Toy Co.

Toy Guide

Thanks to Tessa Michaelson Schmidt for this timely information:

Last week the 2012 Edition of the Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids was released by Toys“R”Us.  This is a helpful resource for identifying toys and playthings for children’s areas and library programs.

http://www.toysrusinc.com/press-room/releases/general/2012/toysrus-unveils-2012-edition-of-the-toysrus-toy-guide-for-differently/

History of the Guide and Its Impact on Families of Children with Special Needs

For nearly two decades, the Guide has served as a trusted resource for family, friends and caregivers of children with special needs, providing a carefully selected assortment of toys that can help kids explore new worlds and achieve personal victories. Each of the nearly 100 toys featured in the 64-page resource has been selected in partnership with National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making play accessible to children of all abilities. Each item featured helps children with physical and cognitive disabilities develop critical skills through the power of play, including fine and gross motor, visual, language, creativity and more.

In addition to toy recommendations, parents will also find value in the Guide’s “Top Ten Tips for Buying Toys,” prepared by the National Lekotek Center, as well as “Safe Play Tips for Children with Special Needs,” which were created with guidance from leading safety and special needs organizations to help avoid playtime injuries.

Playtime

Have you tried to bring Play into your children's space? How have you done it? The blog over at ALSC has an interesting piece about it.

The Door County Library in Sturgeon Bay has toys that the children can check out (28 days just like a book). We have them in mesh bags with tags on them; they range from Folkmanis puppet groupings (3-7 puppets in a bag with a theme) to board games. Creative play is a wonderful thing to watch!
The ladies in the photo are having a bit of a tea party with Bobette (in red). From the ALSC article.

Neat Stuff

Ever get parents asking you for educational gift ideas? What about you and your need for prizes? Or activities for programs?

Check out MindWare, a company that provides all kinds of neat toys, gifts, kits and educational books in a variety of areas, including science, reading and math.