Explore Music, Magic and STEAM Fun With The Seattle Public Library’s Summer of Learning 2020 Video Series for Children
release date: July 14, 2020
Want to learn about birdwatching, how to do a magic trick or just chill out to a story time this summer? These programs are just one click away at The Seattle Public Library’s Kids YouTube channel, which is posting fun, interactive videos that encourage kids to tinker, explore and learn all season. Visit spl.org/KidsVideos to see what's streaming!
Children’s librarians are working with community partners and local performers to post short, action-oriented vides that encourage kids to play with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) right in their home or yard. Parents and caregivers can also find virtual story times and early learning from home activities.
These programs are part of the Library’s Summer of Learning 2020. With a theme of “Every Day is Earth Day!,” it encourages reading and activities around science, technology, engineering, arts and math. New videos will be available on the Library’s Kids YouTube channel every Monday at 10 a.m. for kids and every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for early learners - subscribe to the channel to keep up to date.
YouTube program highlights
- STEAM Learning From Home: New STEAM learning videos will be regularly posted on this YouTube playlist. For example, in Seattle Bird Report, Seattle Audubon experts share favorite winged species, how to get your start birdwatching and how (and why!) to protect birds in the Seattle area. In Learn African Drumming, Etienne Cakpo, a Seattle teaching artist with Gansango Music & Dance, teaches a simple African drumming pattern that kids can follow. Upcoming programs feature magic tricks with master magician Maritess Zurbano and a workshop on how to write a concrete poem from Kiana Davis.
- A world of story times: Children can also listen to and engage with several types of virtual story time on the Kids’ YouTube channel. Story time playlists include Rainbow Story Time, Spanish Story Time and Mandarin Story Time. Live streaming story times can also be found on the Library’s Facebook page.
- See beloved librarians: Missing your favorite children’s librarian? They miss you too! Check out this series of one-minute videos starring children’s librarians encouraging them to build and explore this summer.
MORE FROM SUMMER OF LEARNING 2020
Reading logs and challenges: Set your summer reading goal with help from the Summer of Learning reading log, which you can download from the website or pick up at Seattle Public Schools meal sites. The children’s reading log is translated into 10 languages. Middle and high schoolers can try for bingo with the reading challenge card at spl.org/TeenLibraryChallenge, which encourages teens to not only read in all kinds of formats (including graphic novels and fan fiction) but also to listen to audiobooks and podcasts. Parents of pre-readers can download a 16-page activity guide for early learners in nine languages.
New books for kids who most need them: Lack of physical books is a critical unmet need for many children. With a strong focus on equity, Library staff have already distributed 6,000 English-language books and over 2,050 books in world languages to children most in need by working with over 50 community partners.
MORE INFORMATION
More details about the Library’s Summer of Learning 2020 programs are available at spl.org/SummerofLearning. Seattle Public Schools students can access all digital Library resources, including thousands of free e-books, through the Library Link partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
Adults can also get in on the summer reading fun. Download your Book Bingo card at spl.org/BookBingo to start filling in your challenge squares.
The 2020 Summer of Learning is sponsored by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, The Burke Museum, Seattle ARTS and Creative Advantage.
For ADA accommodations, please contact: leap@spl.org.