It has been 2 months now that we are taking beginner steps towards an Emergent Library Program. The idea being to draw the little ones who stand by the fringes of the MOP circle, fascinated by us going around, reading, drawing , colouring but never being part of the program.
Multi age program are hard on planning, the team and the children themselves. Every one has a specific need and those needs deserve to be addressed. Everyone wants to be read to, or read with or listened to. They all need and are not abashed to ask for spelling support, share ideas in their home language and be guided in expressing themselves on paper. To then imagine a Pre K group was not an easy task.
But this work has it’s own calling if we decide to listen. I feel happy that I did. We have begun MOP Junior. On three of our sites, we have an Emergent group who listen to stories, read ( look at) books, draw and share, sing songs and play games. They feel happy to come to the mat, where all one has to do is sit and wait. Like bees to honey we have them browsing, turning pages, naming pictures, making connections, listening to others and more.
Books have that draw. It is not Bookworm or the people who choose to do this, it is the books. They do the talking, all we have to do is walk with them and land up at the right door step and the windows open.