Kutztown and Fleetwood libraries will host Block Parties during which time toddlers and preschools learn while playing with wooden blocks.
Kutztown Community Library and Fleetwood Area Public Library both applied and were awarded a Library Block Party grant from Pennsylvania for a universal block and a block storage unit.
“We got the Block Party grant and we’re quite excited about that,” said Kutztown Library Director Janet Yost. “It enables kids the opportunity to use manipulatives, they can move the blocks around, build things. It’s a free play time with the blocks.”
Yost was eager to apply for the grant.
“It’s sounds like an excellent opportunity for the families and children to participate in an interactive program,” said Yost.
Yost said the grant application requirements included that the library be near preschool programs or schools to be assured toddler and preschool age children in the community could get to the library to participate in the parties.
“We do have a have schools, a lot of nice connections,” said Yost.
Kutztown Youth Librarian Taylor Kutz and Fleetwood Library Director Stephanie Williams took the required training in January and are planning Block Parties.
“They are in contact with each other to schedule the weekly toddler and preschoolers parties at different times to meet the needs of the communities,” said Yost.
Fleetwood Library’s first Block Party will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. inside the library. The library will be hosting Block Party once per month at varying dates. Visit the library website and Facebook page for more details.
“The purpose of the Block Party is to foster mathematical and engineering skills in children from an early age. During this program, participants will sort blocks by attribute; examine objects using comparative terms of more than, less than; expand social skills while interacting with other children,” said Williams.
“We hope children and their families can develop creative approaches to problem solving using wooden blocks,” said Williams. “We also hope families can connect through new experiences together during this program at Fleetwood Area Public Library.”
Williams noted that this program is funded through a grant provided by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
“Fleetwood Area Public Library represents one of a handful of Berks County Libraries who were awarded this grant in December.”
Kutz said the Block Parties are designed for ages 3 to 6 but all ages are welcome to come.
“They’re designed to help kids get ready for school. It gives you math skills, science skills and it’ll put kids in a social atmosphere where they can play with other kids,” said Kutz. “It also gives parents an opportunity to sit down and play with their child if they don’t have blocks at home or the opportunity to play at home.”
Kutz said Kutztown will host Block Parties once a month for about five months.
“If it is a positive experience we will keep them going,” said Kutz.
She described the parties as a free play time during which the children can build using the wooden blocks provided by the grant.
“I think it’s exciting because I personally have never done anything like this before. When we got the blocks in, they’re really nice blocks. They also came with little people inside of them,” said Kutz. “I think it will give kids an opportunity to be really creative and I’m just really excited to see what comes out of the program.”
Kutztown’s Block Parties will start in March and will be held the third Wednesday of the month for five months. Block Parties will be held at 10 a.m. in the Community Room.
For more information about programs at Kutztown Community Library, visit http://www.berks.lib.pa.us/sku/.
For more information about programs at Fleetwood Public Library, visit http://www.berks.lib.pa.us/sfl/.
