Find Late Summer Fun (and Learning) With The Seattle Public Library
release date: August 27, 2020
As the summer of 2020 winds down, children who are looking for late-summer entertainment, exploration and learning can find all three at The Seattle Public Library with a few clicks of the mouse.
All summer, Seattle-area performing artists and Library staff have posted fun, interactive videos at spl.org/KidsVideos that encourage children and teens to tinker, explore and learn. As part of Summer of Learning 2020, these videos encourage reading and activities around science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Some of them even star Seattle teens!
Parents and children can explore (or subscribe) through playlists on the YouTube channel such as Bug Safari, Book Talks, STEAM Learning From Home, Early Learning From Home and Virtual Spanish Story Time.
Here are some late-summer additions to the Library’s virtual programs:
- Teen naturalists buggin’ out. West Seattle and High Point teens who are involved in a Library service learning project are introducing younger kids to the wonders of the natural world through simple Bug Safari videos on topics such as scientific observation and insect habitat.
- Make some music. Seattle-area performing artists such as Eduardo Mendonça and Kofi Anang have posted short videos teaching kids the basics of Brazilian samba, African dance, and Ghanian drumming and much more.
- Crafty STEAM fun. Get your science on with videos that show kids how to make homemade paint and do printmaking with artist Bailey Tailor; craft Salish style salmon soap with artist Ty Juvenil; or explore energy with Jargie the Science Girl.
- Early learning fun. Take a virtual trip to the West Seattle Bee Garden; do water experiments with items from around the home; and learn to write and draw with nature — as just a few of the early learning videos posted this summer.
- Black joy and mindful movements. In partnership with the Bureau of Fearless Ideas, teen interns are leading early-learning story times, reading books by Black authors and/or illustrators, and guiding little ones through mindful movements. The final streaming story time will be aired on Sept. 1.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR LATE-SUMMER LEARNING
- Find your next read. Looking for a late-summer read (especially now that you can check out physical books again)? Library staff share fun reads, from creepy to historical to fantastical on the Library YouTube book talk playlist. Or ask Library staff to create a custom book list for you at Your Next Five.
- Learn a new skill. Want to learn podcasting or piemaking before summer ends? The Library’s Your Next Skill service will create a personalized learning plan on a topic of your choice within four days.
- Reading logs and challenges. It’s not too late meet 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. Middle and high schoolers can try for bingo with the reading challenge card at spl.org/TeenLibraryChallenge. Parents of pre-readers can download a 16-page activity guide for early learners in nine languages.
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 Library Link.
The 2020 Summer of Learning is sponsored by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, The Burke Museum, Seattle ARTS and Creative Advantage.
Visit the Library’s Road to Reopening page for more information on book returns, Curbside Service and other Library services being offered while Library buildings are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Patrons can now place new holds on physical materials.