Vocabby’s World is Introduced at Several Neighborhood Libraries
by Selina Johnson, Wylam Branch Library
Those of us who have been around children or have children of our own can more than likely concur that from birth to around age six, children are like sponges that soak in information from their surroundings. Therefore, these ages are a crucial time for exposing children to vocabulary and language development. Nourishing children’s language and literacy experiences early in life will assist in preventing later difficulties with reading and writing. To this end, a program that will help support the vocabulary building of preschoolers and younger is being introduced at three of Birmingham Public Library (BPL) branches.
UAB's Alys Stephens Center and McWane Science Center have partnered to create Vocabby’s World, an educational vocabulary program. The McWane Center has invited BPL to offer this program at the Ensley, Powderly and Wylam Library branches. The ultimate goal is to develop vocabulary, reading-readiness, and problem-solving skills through fun and exciting science and art activities. The program is free and open to children up to the age of five and their families.
At the aforementioned library branches, you will see Vocabby’s World integrated into storytime. Thus far, the children have been introduced to vocabulary, stories, and hands-on activities related to weather and insects. Advanced words such as nimbus, transparent, and opaque have been shared with the children. The words in addition to the engaging activities have been a great way to build a solid base of knowledge around the targeted concepts. While learning about insects one group was simulating bees pollinating flowers, a second group had a blast throwing cotton balls into a “spider web” made of masking tape to see if it would catch them (just like a real one would catch insects), and a third was putting together a jigsaw puzzle of the body parts of an insect.
Vocabby’s World is providing resources and support for early childhood learning in several communities. Their initiatives will go a long way in helping children to reach their highest potential. Come and see Vocabby’s World in action during storytime at the Ensley, Powderly and Wylam Library Branches.
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| Vocabby's World participants learning about insects |
UAB's Alys Stephens Center and McWane Science Center have partnered to create Vocabby’s World, an educational vocabulary program. The McWane Center has invited BPL to offer this program at the Ensley, Powderly and Wylam Library branches. The ultimate goal is to develop vocabulary, reading-readiness, and problem-solving skills through fun and exciting science and art activities. The program is free and open to children up to the age of five and their families.
At the aforementioned library branches, you will see Vocabby’s World integrated into storytime. Thus far, the children have been introduced to vocabulary, stories, and hands-on activities related to weather and insects. Advanced words such as nimbus, transparent, and opaque have been shared with the children. The words in addition to the engaging activities have been a great way to build a solid base of knowledge around the targeted concepts. While learning about insects one group was simulating bees pollinating flowers, a second group had a blast throwing cotton balls into a “spider web” made of masking tape to see if it would catch them (just like a real one would catch insects), and a third was putting together a jigsaw puzzle of the body parts of an insect.
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| Five Points West Library storyteller Fontaine Alison teaches children weather words |
Vocabby’s World is providing resources and support for early childhood learning in several communities. Their initiatives will go a long way in helping children to reach their highest potential. Come and see Vocabby’s World in action during storytime at the Ensley, Powderly and Wylam Library Branches.
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