Cool Cats!

The final downtown library Family Night of 2011 happened on December 6th. The theme, Cool Cats, was definitely the cat's meow. Families made paper bag cat puppets and painted their faces like cats (or other creatures).

A family works on their paper bag puppet together.

Rachel from Gastineau Humane Society visited us bringing along her feline friend. She talked briefly about cats and then families were invited to pet our (feline) guest before both visitors returned to the Humane Society.

Children visit with our restless furry friend.

The evening ended with a story about a dog who acted more like a cat and a surprise visit from a big black dog who was, in fact, dressed as a cat!

Surprise! Do you think this dog really wants to be a cat?

Dance Together!

In October, Family Night at the Turf became an evening of dance/movement related activities! Several families were in attendance and participated in free-style dance to some fun tunes as well as a creative movement session where we acted out a nature walk using our imaginations and bodies.

A blur of arms and legs during our creative movement activity!

Of course, the usual Turf activities were available. Many new families attended Family Night in October and were given a great example of what a great time it is! Free dance- and movement-themed books were given to each child who participated in dance activities. We continue to invite families from nearby neighborhoods and communities to attend this event!

Kids hitch a ride as one father gets his exercise by pulling them around!

One family samples the free books before deciding which one to take home.

Time for a snack break... This family has a picnic on the Turf! A common sight at Family Night!

Be Seen on Halloween!

Limousines, dinosaurs, and free books! At Be Seen on Halloween this past Saturday, kids and their families got to hang out with Reflectorsaurus of Safe Routes to School and learn about safety while walking and crossing the road.

Families were also invited into a stretch limo for some hot chocolate and a story! Each child received a Halloween goodie bag with a free book, activities, reflectors, recipes, and more! You can expect find AEYC popping up throughout the community this year, keep your eyes peeled!

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped out with this event and all the agencies that made it possible: Best Beginnings, United Way, Safe Routes to School Program, Alaska Department of Transportation & Facilities, Tlingit & Haida Housing Authority, Juneau Limousine, and SAGA.

Stop, Drop, and Roll!

October family night at the Downtown library was hot, hot, hot! 88 people showed up to Stop, Drop, and Roll night! Activities included: make-your-own fire dogs, custom fit fire caps, and free pizza!

Of course, the best part of the evening was being able to meet three local firefighters, read a story with them, and explore a real fire truck!



We look forward to seeing everyone in November for "Family Stories" night!

For more library events, check out the website: Juneau Public Libraries!

Family Night at the Turf

Friday, September 23rd marked the first evening of Family Night at the Turf this year. 81 young children and families attended the event, many of whom had never been to Turf night before.

Many toys and activities are available at Turf nights including hula hoops, lots of balls, giant parachute, tricycles, soccer nets, and more. By far, the best part of the evening was spending time with family and making new friends.

You can also sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at Turf Night. Children signed up receive a free book in the mail every month until they turn 5! Snacks, fun, and friends are always guaranteed at Turf Night. This event takes place every 4th Friday of the month from 4:30-6pm. See you there on October 28th!

"Under the Sea" Family Night Fun!

Tuesday's family night at Gruening Park was attented by 65 children and family members, and 5 people were signed up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (Click here to check it out!)! The theme was "Under the Sea".

We made paper plate fish, went fishing for fish crackers for a snack, and were visited by Rich Mattson from DIPAC fish hatchery! He brought along some ocean creatures for everyone to get to know and also read a story about life under the sea.

Ketchikan Family Night at the Children's Library!

78 people (and a few feathered friends) attended the kick-off of the 5th year of Family Night at the Children's Library in Ketchikan.

The stars of the evening were the raptors from the Wayne and Jerry Thompson Southeast Wildlife Center.

The next family night will be November 20th with guest speaker, Tiffany Cook, from Wells Fargo bank. Many thanks to Wells Fargo for providing pizza and refreshments; and to First Book for providing the books given out to each family.

HEARTS: New Child Care Initiative for Juneau

Child care may be bolstered in Juneau Juneau Empire - Alaska's Capital City Online Newspaper

AEYC Movie Premiere!

Check out our AEYC movie here!
http://vimeo.com/26937773 

Family Engagement In Gustavus

Two parenting classes and a family night were held at the Gustavus Library in June. We learned about whales, made our own ice cream and turned into a moving glacier before we enjoyed this delicious "natural" treat! 

SEA Dogs!

May Library Family Night

The library was full of furry friends on Tuesday night. Well actually, only one, I bet we fooled you with all of those canine look-a-likes in the photos below. We learned all about search and rescue dogs and how helpful they can be. To demonstrate this idea, a young child was hidden in the stacks of the library and Ky, the rescue dog, went off barking around the library and to everyone surprise, found him! 

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day!

 Mayor Bruce Botelho signed a proclamation on behalf of the City and Borough of Juneau declaring May 6th, 2011 Child Care Appreciation Day, in recognition of child care providers, teachers and other early educators of young children. Started in 1996, National Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day, and promoted by the National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and other early childhood organizations. 

Deputy Mayor Merril Sanford presented the proclamation at a reception last night, May 5th hosted by the Association for the Education of Young Children Southeast Alaska, in partnership with thread, Best Beginnings, and United Way. 

“Most parents of young children are in the workforce, and while they are out there earning, hard working child care providers are doing all they can to ensure children are learning,” said Nikki Morris, Family Services Coordinator for AEYC. According to AEYC, there are over 100 child care providers serving over 800 of Juneau’s youngest citizens in 36 licensed child care programs. 

Also recognized at the event were Blue Shibler, owner of Discovery Preschool, who was one of 50 individuals recognized as National Child Care Teacher of 2011 by the Terry Lynn Locke Foundation at an award presentation in Philadelphia last month. Ms. Shibler opened Discovery Preschool in 2009 with the support of the Alaska Legislative Affairs Council to provide care for children of legislators, legislative staff, state employees, and the City and Borough of Juneau.

 Samantha Adams, owner of TLC Childcare was given a round of applause for her recent recognition as one of three Outstanding Early Childhood Educators and Advocates of 2011. Ms. Adams currently operates a group home for 12 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and is working toward opening a nature-based program for school age children this summer.  The City and Borough of Juneau proclamation urges all citizens to recognize Child Care Providers for their important work.

Sing-Along Stories

April 2011 Library Family Night 
Juneau's youngest rock-stars prepared for the upcoming Alaska Folk Festival at the library with their homemade kazoos and songs led by Teri Tibbett. We read a story, had some great snacks and learned some new songs and dance moves. This crowd is ready to rock and roll! 

 

 

Imagination Library Graduation!

This year 167 “graduates” of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and are headed to Kindergarten in the fall.    Children and their families celebrated with an evening of family fun at DIPAC fish hatchery. The “graduates” enjoyed the touch tanks, music with Kathy Fanning, and a delicious supper.  Some of the children attending have been enrolled in the program since birth to receive a new book in the mail each month, for a total of 60 books now in their home library. The program helps children become strong readers and ready for success by the time they enter kindergarten. The program is made possible through the support of Best Beginnings, AEYC, Communities In Schools, Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries, the Juneau Empire,Bartlett Regional Hospital, Coeur Alaska- Kensington Gold Mine, Douglas-Dornan Foundation,United Way of SE Alaska, and many generous local sponsors.  For more information or to become a sponsor, call AEYC at 789-1235 or www.aeyc-sea.org

Beaches, Boots & Blueberries: Learning Through Nature

Building tree forts, watching ant parades, collecting beach rocks...many adults have vivid childhood memories of running free outdoors.  What are children today going to remember as their favorite outdoor experiences?  Nearly 250 early childhood educators from over 17 communities came to learn and reflect on this question at the "Beaches, Boots and Blueberries: Learning Through Nature" Southeast Alaska early childhood conference, March 10th – 12^th at Centennial Hall sponsored by AEYC in partnership with the Juneau Children Outdoors Community Coalition.

 There were over 30 workshop sessions to choose from, with special guests Martin LeBlanc; vice president of the Children and Nature Network, Leon Smith; with “Earthplay” and Jack Dalton of Raven Feathers and the Wind.

A big "Thanks!" to the following organizations that helped make this year's conference a success!

Alaska AEYC, Best Beginnings, thread,Tlingit and Haida Child Care Assistance, Juneau Children Outdoors Community Coalition, Lakeshore Learning, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Community Playthings, State of Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Abby's Kitchen, Carl Rose and the Association of Alaska School Boards, SAGA Americorp Members, the Baker family, KTOO, KINY, Juneau Empire, Rich Lyon of Wilson Engineering and Mark Kelly for the donation of nature photography.

Finally, thank you to all our fabulous presenters who donated their time and expertise: Shirley Pittz, Shelia Wray, Rich Mattson, Joyanne Bloom, Joy Lyon, Kristen Romanoff, Lynne Osheim, Carrie Lindoff, Krista Bertholl, Linda Squibb, Chris Thomas, Sue Baxter, Karin Halpin, Sam Adams, Beth Weigel, Cathleen Balantic, Nate Heck, Jennifer Nu, Ed Buyarski, Cori Stennett, Rosanne Funk, Terrie Chang, Van Waggoner and Nicole Ferraro. 

WOW! The Wonders Of Weather

March 2011 Library Family Night 

We made a cloud in a bottle and learned all about the wonders of weather! To express ourselves, we dipped chalk in water and drew our own interpretations of wind, rain, sunshine, snow and more!