On Friday, April 15th, the Attleboro Public Library hosted an open house for over 30 special education staff members from the Attleboro Public Schools. This event included a brief overview of the partnership between the Library and The Arc of Bristol County that created the new hands-on sensory station where kids ages 6 and up can explore their world using their senses and imagination. This area of the library was created with funds from the Curiosity Creates grant, awarded through the Association for Library Service to Children. The grant, made possible with funding from Disney, allowed library and Arc staff to develop an innovative program fostering discovery, creativity, and imagination in children of all abilities.
In this space, children can play, grow, and discover. By utilizing their senses, along with adaptive and sensory equipment, all children can create and interact with one another, while feeling safe and comfortable. The grant allowed the purchase of sensory equipment, adaptive equipment and materials for programs, a sand and water table, along with numerous fidgets and gadgets of different themes, and a beautiful sensory table, with light fixtures, chalk board, magnetic board. Also available are tools and toys that interact with the variety of surfaces. Innovative “wobble stools” and Yogibo beanbag seating complete the space.
As a result of the research that went into creating this space, library staff are making changes to their program schedule, including sensory storytimes led by Arc staff and teachers from the Kennedy-Donovan Center. Standard library programs are being adapted to to better include children of all abilities by making activities include a variety of senses, more open ended, and by providing specialized tools, like push scissors.
Library staff are looking forward to getting feedback from the public on this exciting project at an Open House on Saturday, April 30th, from 10:30-12:30. Please join us!
