Play, Learn and Grow Library Program

Colorado State Libraries Early Learning and Literacy

For Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers

Play Learn Grow

Jugar Apprender Crecer

The Workshop

This workshop is available at no charge to libraries seeking to enhance service to Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers. The videos and activity sheets can be used freely to support caregivers in your community, or contact Growing Readers Together if you are interested in our early literacy team hosting a virtual workshop at your library!

The Growing Readers Together team originally designed in-person workshops, and with the onset of COVID, they partnered with Pixel Media to produce the video below to highlight how simple interactions with children can impact their learning and development. The videos focus on strategies for reading together, playing together, and talking together.

For Library Staff

Co-present with a Growing Readers Together (GRT) early literacy librarian in a virtual workshop! Your GRT partner provides supportive resources and promotional ideas that align with your library’s values. We share take-home activity ideas and a Play, Learn, and Grow activity kit for your audience.
Share the videos independently with your community via social media posts, take-and-make activity kits, or host a Play, Learn and Grow Workshop. Everything you need to share this program is available in our Play, Learn and Grow Toolkit.

For Attendees

Research backed information delivered with a strengths-based approach honor caregivers’ knowledge and contributions to the well-being of the children in their care.
Interactive play-time with accompanying materials that highlight the value of the activities and allows caregivers to practice what they have learned.
Activity sheets highlight the key points and inspire playful learning at home.

Workshop Resources

Young boy playing with a cardboard tube in a classroom — *What can you do with a cardboard tube?*

Decorative divider line with multiple blocks of color

The Video

A video for anyone caring for babies, toddlers, or preschoolers.

The video is free to share via Youtube, or because not everyone is online, we have copies of the Play, Learn, & Grow video available on DVD to circulate or put in your reference toolbox. Click the green button to request a DVD copy of the Play, Learn & Grow video.

Request a DVD

Thank you for watching the Play, Learn & Grow video! This project has been funded through the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) as part of the Colorado Shines Brighter – Preschool Development Grant (PDG).

View Play, Learn & Grow video segments and Download the Activity Sheets

Play Learn Grow video

Introduction: Babies are Brain Builders

Introduction to the video goals and science behind the importance of early learning. (4:05)

Jugar Apprender Crecer vídeo

Introducion

Play Learn Grow video

Read & Grow with Me

How you read with children makes a difference! This video introduces ways to engage children in reading by asking questions. (5:39)

Read & Grow Activities:

Read & Grow
Activity Sheet

Jugar Apprender Crecer vídeo

Lee y Crece

Lee y Crece
Actividades

Play Learn Grow video

Move & Learn with Me

When young children are moving they are learning! From dancing to building, there are so many ways to build motor skills while we play! (7:20)

Move & Learn Activities:

Move & Learn
Activity Sheet

Jugar Apprender Crecer vídeo

Muevete y Aprede

Muevete y Aprede
Actividades

Play Learn Grow video

Explore & Play with Me

What do young children and scientists have in common? They ask questions! View strategies for promoting curiosity through exploration and conversation. (6:56)

Explore & Play Activities:

Explore & Play
Activity Sheet

Jugar Apprender Crecer vídeo

Explora y Juega

Explora y Juega
Actividades

Or view the full Play, Learn, and Grow video (21:32)

Play Learn Grow video

Jugar Apprender Crecer vídeo