Play Your Way To Literacy and STEM

The best way to develop literacy and STEM skills is by learning through play and hands-on experiences. This presentation connects research with practical activities for library programs that can be used in-house or during virtual programs and it includes a simple technique for creating and using developmental tips for parents/caregivers. Help children build social-emotional skills including self-regulation, problem solving, and mutual respect while providing opportunities for adult participants to also learn through play. Even experienced librarians will gain new, fun ideas for programming.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen (she/her), a children's librarian with a doctorate, is a nationally recognized instructor, consultant, writer and presenter. She is coauthor of the Research Roundup column in Children and Libraries magazine. In addition to working in public libraries, children's museums, and preschools, Betsy was a home childcare provider when her children were under age 5. Her innovative spirit, love of literacy, devotion to children, and desire to help adults who live and work with children resulted in the creation of her groundbreaking early literacy program, Mother Goose on the Loose® (MGOL).