The St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library in St. Joseph is starting a new program to help stimulate brain development in small children thanks to a grant from the Bosch Community Fund.
Nancy Stinemetz is the supervisor of children’s programs at the library and tells us Block Play supports language, social and emotional development, and problem solving in a natural context.
“People of all ages, usually families, can come in and we will have carpets set up,” Stinemetz said. “The five carpets will each have a different type of block to play with. So it’s working on cooperating skills, math skills, family time and fun, building, and STEM.”
The kids get blocks that vary in size from small to “giant.” Stinemetz says their imagination is then the limit.
The library wants to get Block Play out and about.
“We are hoping to get out into the community as well. So hopefully, we’ll be able to attend some preschools and schools and just kind of reach out to the community with the blocks.”
Stinemetz says library staff will facilitate events with the five block stations to promote math learning and science concepts through play, problem solving, and conversations.
Block Play starts June 10 at the library and will be held each Tuesday through July 29 from 4:30 to 5:30.
Stinemetz says this is the first time the children’s program at the library has gotten grant support from the Bosch Community Fund, and it is appreciated.
