Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/the-nature-explorium-at-middle-country-public-library/5025836/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
Welcome to an environment in which families with young children are encouraged to explore nature at their own pace. Parents are invited to follow their child’s lead in the Nature Explorium at Middle Country Public Library. Giving children a place to dig, splash and play since 2010, the Explorium was the first Nature Explore Classroom at a public library. The Nature Explorium is a 5,000-square-foot outdoor learning environment that is entered via a dynamic children’s department of the public library. A large and busy public library on Long Island, New York, MCPL serves over 62,000 residents in a supportive, middle to lower income district. MCPL offers numerous resources, services and programming to the early childhood community. These resources are directed toward parents, caregivers, educators, professionals and children.
Many public libraries are community centers that offer reading gardens and outdoor story times, and now many are creating outdoor learning environments and connecting children to the environment, helping them to garner an understanding and appreciation of nature. Access to educationally appropriate outdoor environments during the early years is critical to developing a nature literate and sustainable community. Through hands-on outdoor learning activities, children ...