Children have an innate curiosity in them starting in infancy. We, as caregivers and parents, often see this curiosity used through our children’s senses (taste, touch, etc.). But little do we think about how this curiosity is a basic building block that forms how our children are learning. This innate curiosity then leads to our children developing a sense of initiative, creativity, imagination, and –eventually– cognitive and behavioral self-regulation. The human brain and body are amazing things! As we allow for these curiosities, our role as a caregiver is to foster this creativity and expose them to as many experiences as we can. This not only helps our child to find their own interests once they grow into toddlers and beyond, but helps us build a bond with them… plus as an adult it is a chance for us to have a little fun between our “adult-ing responsibilities”!
However, with our children soaking up everything around them, and our to-do lists, as adults, seeming to only grow, how can we afford our child a playful experience that leads to their independence and success when they are grown? It’s as simple as a walk or short drive to one of Handley’s Library branches. Handley offers a multitude of free events and story times full of play, crafts, and music almost everyday. They have computers with games, toys, and books to gain those experiences our children so desperately crave to fulfill their ever-growing curiosity. Our recommendations to help you feed your child’s ever-growing curiosity are:
- A monthly “newsletter” with book suggestions for your child. There’s even hacks for you!
- Check out some story time programs we offer/ This can help add your learning through experiences!
- Check out some of our parent-teacher collection books
Have your child gain those real-life experiences while reaching their developmental milestones through play utilizing our library today!