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<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">A great idea was just shared on ALA’s Association for Library Services to Children listserv that I thought you might be interested in because many of you are moving away from crafts
in storytimes to play and other types of activities to develop early literacy and other skills. Ready to Read recipients may use their grant to purchase Lego Duplos, Quatros, shape sorters, cardboard, crayons, wire-bead mazes, foam shapes, and other materials
for storytimes activities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">I have had success with my Baby Builders Club. It's about 10 min of story and song and then 45 min of unstructured free building geared towards
children 6 months to 2 years, with caregivers. I average about 10 kids and 8 adults.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">I use LEGO Duplos and Quatros, large cardboard blocks, shape sorters, blank sheets of cardboard and crayons, wire-bead mazes, foam shapes,
and a display of touch and feel board books. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">It has gotten positive responses from all the parents. The little ones love building, and especially destroying their creations. It gives
them a social experience and allows the parents/caregivers to connect too. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Steve Nichols<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Children's Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Reynolds Corners
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Toledo Lucas County Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black">Looking to justify blocks and other building material in storytimes or your library in general? Here are four particularly good quotes from this article:
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/nyregion/with-building-blocks-educators-going-back-to-basics.html?_r=0">
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/nyregion/with-building-blocks-educators-going-back-to-basics.html?_r=0</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Studies dating to the 1940s indicate that blocks help children absorb basic math concepts.
<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Journal-Research-in-Childhood-Education/80711096.html" title="Link to 2001 study">One published in 2001
</a>tracked 37 preschoolers and found that those who had more sophisticated block play got better math grades and standardized test scores in high school.
<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">And a
<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071001172822.htm" title="The study">
2007 study by Dimitri Christakis</a>, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Hospital, found that those with block experience scored significantly better on language acquisition tests.
<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">But perhaps the hottest pitch of late, particularly to high-stress, high-strung New York City parents, is that blocks can build the 21st-century skills essential
to success in corporate America. <span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Katie <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">Katie Anderson, Library Development Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black">Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us"><span style="color:blue">katie.anderson@state.or.us</span></a>, 503-378-2528</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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