Sitting in a classroom with eyes plastered to a textbook can make any child cringe when they hear the word “learning.” But DuPage Children’s Museum has made it easy for children to learn different skills without even cracking open a book. Children can learn through play as DuPage Children’s Museum staff will bring exhibits to the Naperville Public Library.
“Children learn best unknowingly while playing,” said Rashmi Mehrotra, Children Services supervisor at the Naperville Public Library. “Play inspires curiosity and interaction, especially with an adult, and responds to satisfy and encourage curiosity.”
The museum will bring portable versions of its full-sized exhibits that focus on math concepts and include Tile Boards, Build it Big, MagnaTiles and Light Box, Busy Box and Bead Loom. The exhibits will be showcased from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 14 in the Children’s Program Room of the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive and from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 in the Community Room at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave.
“Play at-home activities and portables will be offered to show children and families how learning comes into play,” Mollie Willis, the museum’s early learning specialist, said. “Children and families will see that math learning is right at their fingertips in the library, at the museum and even at home.”
Museum staff will provide play facilitation techniques using the exhibits. Also, library staff will demonstrate the power of play through storytime at 10:15, 11 and 11:40 a.m.
“Early literacy is a very important component of what we do at the library, and this partnership with DuPage Children’s Museum blends in beautifully by creating children’s space and family time,” Mehrotra said. “Making every play meaningful by educated interaction with the adult is what we are trying to instill.”
For more information about children’s programs at the library, go to www.naperville-lib.org/content/kids.
