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.
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