Toddlers, parents and caregivers are invited to take part in a free four-part “Play and Learn” series at the Sheridan Public Library, where the adults can talk with early-childhood professionals while the little ones explore educational toys and activities.
The series for children ages 1-3 will be held from 10-11 a.m. on four consecutive Fridays — Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22 and Aug. 29 — in the library located at 3425 W. Oxford Ave, adjacent to Sheridan High School.
“It’s fun, it’s informal, and because it’s play-based, it’s child-led,” said Jessica Sidener, who heads Arapahoe Libraries’ community-relations and marketing efforts. “So the toddlers are exploring different hands-on activities, while their parents and caregivers can chat at the same time directly with early childhood professionals.”
Professionals will represent fields such as speech and language pathology, nutrition, child behavior and music. While it is not necessary to attend all four sessions, participants are encouraged to do so because there will be a different early-childhood professional each Friday.
“There’s no cost associated with it, there’s no cost for parents and caregivers to connect with the local childhood experts, but what’s nice about it is, it marries two really important things — connecting with experts but also giving children the opportunity to play and learn and experience,” Sidener said.
The “Play and Learn” gatherings feature seven play stations designed to support brain development. A sensory station will have things like clay or a water activity; a music station will let children play with shakers, rattles and instruments; a reading corner will have books and puppets; an engineering station will allow children to play with different types of blocks; scooters and pushcarts will help build motor skills; and a pretend kitchen will let children do make-believe cooking.
The library requests advance registration for all children and adults, although drop-ins will be welcome if space allows. If parents or caregivers miss the first session, they can still sign up for later sessions if there are slots available. The signup is open to anyone, not just Arapahoe Libraries cardholders.
The signup can be found online at tinyurl.com/library-play-learn or by clicking on Events at arapahoelibraries.org. Signup is also available by telephone at 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279).
“All our libraries are certified Family Place libraries,” Sidener said. “That means they have dedicated children’s areas, so when families walk in, immediately they can find developmentally appropriate toys, parenting resources, and opportunities for the little kiddos to practice their pre-writing skills any time they come to the libraries.”
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