Who would have thought that something my toddler started doing would evolve into a homeschooling project for my oldest daughter? This article is all about the libraries project I carried out with my children. It was a child-inspired learning project… and I loved every bit of it!
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It all started one morning when my toddler dumped out her basket of books and babbled she was going to the library. She started placing the books on the piano and before I knew it, my oldest daughter was involved in the process as well.
After they set up the library, my brain began to spin. I could weave a library curriculum experience for my daughter.
So my daughter and I formed a plan:
We needed to make library cards.
The girls set up a kids play corner (because every library needs a children’s section).
They also used a box to make a book return.
My daughter also insisted that we needed a scanner. Then I had an epiphany. I could get my daughter to use my Home Library app that I have on my iPad and iPhone to scan and “check out” library materials. If you want to know more about the Home Library app, I wrote about it HERE.
Outside of setting up a library there are so many other ways that curriculum objectives could be applied:
Math: numeracy; the call numbers on library books, library card numbers, ISBN numbers, late fees
Literacy: make signs, read library books, write our own books, read books about libraries, sign up for a reading program, look at the signs for each of the sections in the library (fantasy, cooking, gardening, etc.)
Social: make a map of the community and plot the library on the map, visit the local library, talk to a librarian about their work, attend a program at the library, look at photos of libraries that are located in different countries around the world.
Science: explore how books and paper are made, make paper
Other ideas: have a library scavenger hunt (give them a list of clues to find a particular book), have your child make thank you cards for your community librarians
I would have never thought that “playing library” would lead to such a rich curriculum full of learning opportunities.
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Thank you. This is how we have been doing things. What “method” would this be considered? Unit study or unschooling or relaxed? don’t know why a label is important to me except that i am new to this and my 6yo is ready for 1st grade curriculum. Any suggestions are welcome.
Tammy
Hi Tammy. I don’t really have one method. I do a blend of traditional, teacher-directed, to unit study, and child-led project work. I find moving in and out of “methods” keeps my daughter engaged and focused. However, if looking exclusively at this activity, I would classify it as project-based, child-led curriculum.
I love this! What a fantastic idea! It’s amazing how some great ideas can spawn out of something so small. They are just too cute!
xoxo
We had so much fun with it… and once I started linking it to curriculum objectives, it became quite dynamic!
This is so fun! I used to play library when I was younger. :-)
So much fun to play library. I love my “library card” too! It’s extra special!
How fun! I love when learning happens so naturally!
Natural learning is some of the best kinds of learning! We had so much fun with this!
I love that you roll with your kids ideas and take them to new heights! When I was a kid we would have a “restaurant” which operated out of the kitchen. Ultimately it was really just a scam to get my younger siblings to serve me food but I think if my mom had oversaw the operation we could have learned a lesson or two. It’s so important to capitalize on their interests- which you always seem to do! Hats off
We have TOTALLY done “restaurant”! We made menus, made the table look fancy, did some cooking… it was a pretty awesome activity. Hmmm, maybe we’ll revisit that one sometime soon. I’m thinking of some fabulous curriculum ideas that I could add onto it. Thanks!
This is why I’m such a fan of homeschooling – beats learning out of a textbook at a desk any day.
I agree Melanie! There’s nothing like being completely submerged in learning and not even “knowing” it!
Looks like a lot of fun! Thank you for linking up to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!
It was so much fun Ashley! I was excited to be able to participate in this week’s hop!
This is just too cute and so much fun! I love how you take an interest of your girls and turn it into a full blown lesson and just go all out with it. So awesome :)
Thanks Tammy! This was one of those moments where everything just naturally clicked and came together with ease.
You always come up (well I should say the kids this time) with such great ideas. I would have never thought of this. I do remember playing shopping though, and the kids used their little cash register and scanned out groceries. It really did help with math. I’ll have to use this idea with my own toddler who also loves books. Another hit and thank you Jennifer!
Awww, thanks Amanda! We really enjoyed this project. It was so much fun!
“Shopping” used to be one of my favourite activities when I was a young child too… not so much now that I have to use my own money!
These are great ideas! I bet they had lots of hour of fun :)
Yes Remy! This was so popular with the girls and I’m certain they will repeat the experience since they loved it so much.