Recently Immy asked if we could play visiting the library. Setting up our little library space was very simple, we simply used our existing bookshelf, books and table and decided to use two small blocks as a scanner and a stamp. We gathered together a few cloth bags to act as library bags for the toys and made library cards from scraps of cardboard.
And then it was time for playing. We took turns at being the librarian and the library user (who was always accompanied by a soft toy baby). There was lots of talking about books ~ “Do you have a book about dogs?” “My little girl is looking for a Charlie and Lola book” “Do you have any funny books which will make me laugh?”
The librarian read a special book at story time but not until all of the children were sitting quietly.
And library cards and books were scanned and stamped before being taken home.
There was lots of literacy learning taking place – talking about the features of books, looking at letters when making the library cards and working out whose was whose, role play reading and practising of social conventions when speaking and listening to others based on those we use on our regular visits to the real library.
Do you visit a local library with your child? Have you played library at home?
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
This is gorgeous. I love that half of the books on your shelf are on ours too! Please tell Immy that Blossom Possum is one of Lily’s favourites too 🙂
Oh, and I love that you just used a block for the scanner. So often we over-complicate our children’s play. Keep it simple!
Where did you find that bookshelf, please? I’ve been looking for a flat stand up on for ages
The bookshelf is from here – http://www.ministyle.com.au/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=bookshelf 🙂
What a gorgeous idea. I am a little embarrassed to say that my youngest son has that many books from his 3 brothers that I have never felt the need to go to the library, but i may have to invest in one of those shelves!
We love the library. Annie has been learning how to use the library website and put books on hold for her to collect at our next visit. Between our own book collection, school readers, school library books and books from local library everything gets a little muddled. But I love that my girls can not ever have enough books 🙂
We love playing library, too! I just blogged about a library card being the best gift you can give a child. http://imaginationsoup.net/2011/03/a-library-card-of-my-own/
Whenever we need an activity, we just head for the library. Blissful.
We’ve been playing library here too!
We’ve moved onto reading alot of Enid Blyton stories at the moment…I’m really enjoying it but I do miss reading some of my favourite picture books.
Miss P is 19mths and loves selecting the book getting on my lap and comfortableopens the book then as quickly closes it and says “another one” 🙂 We’ll get there