The families that play together stay together should be the LA PLays theme!
Well if you’re in the NoHo Arts District you’re a creative soul. Our North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch Library (a.k.a. NoHo Library) is no exception. They create programs for our neighborhood that are fun and encourage reading and library usage. Take a look at their newest program that encourages family play time. We asked NoHo Librarian Basya Samuels about the LA PLays program.
WHAT is LA PLays?
The North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch is celebrating the launch of a special new kids’ item for loan called LA PLays. These are backpack kits that are designed to encourage creative, imaginative play, and verbal interaction, with a focus on kids aged 0-5 years old. Each play kit comes in a kid sized backpack with a toy, a book, and a bilingual English/Spanish list of suggested activities for parents and children to do together.
Example 1: Breakfast Food themed backpack will include “Pancakes, Pancakes” by Eric Carle and a set of plastic food and eating utensils. A couple of the suggested activities are to sort and match all the plates, cups, and utensils by color; and to make pancakes together and talk about cooking safety.
Example 2: Fireman themed backpack will include a fireman book and fireman costume. Suggested activities may be to pretend to be firemen and drive a fire engine together; or talk about fire safety together while in uniform.
WHY is LA PLays important?
One of the five simple activities parents can do to help get their children to read, is playing. Since libraries are all about getting kids to read, we’re now also featuring these kits to encourage kids to play! The suggested list of activities also encourages adult and child interaction, a positive part of any young person’s life. Another goal of the project is to provide parents/caregivers with the knowledge and tools to engage in language-rich play with their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. These fabulous kits have been rolled out at a few other LAPL – Los Angeles Public Library branches, and is really popular.
WHEN does LA PLays program run?
So, to celebrate the launch of the LA PLays (a take on “LAPL”) we are planning an afternoon of educational and fun activities for families. Our launch date is Monday, April 16th… and we’ll be celebrating from about 3pm-7pm at the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Library at 5211 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, 91601. Join us for the afternoon – and we hope you discover one of the hundred LA Play kits to check out with your library card. Link to our event: http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/la-plays-launch-party
HOW is LA PLays organized?
Here’s a list of events and fun activities planned.
Ongoing:
• LA PLay kits for check out – These are brand new backpack kits, we have about a hundred of a variety of backpacks, and all of them are available for check out for one week.
• LAPL Book Bike with book giveaways – LAPL has custom-made three-wheeled bikes that carry books and deliver library services at events. Each bike carries up to 200 lbs of books!
• Swag giveaways (while supplies last) – Balls, keychains, pins & more!
Scheduled Events:
“Read-Along” storytime – Meet Norma the police officer, listen to her stories, and ask her your questions.
• 4:30 – Geebo the Entertainer – Magic, animals, comedy, all wrapped up into one fun time!
• 5:30 – STEAM craft tables & snacks – Make a science craft project to take home – we’re making spinners – and munch on some treats.
We hope to see you there! It’s all free, and great for everyone!
Call the NoHo Library at 818-766-7185 with any questions.
Make sure to follow our NoHo Library for all the fun (education is fun!) they have planned for the neighborhood!
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM @NoHoLibrary
5211 Tujunga Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818 766 7185
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