Virtual Program: Nature Journaling for Kids

 Nature Journaling for Kids was my third virtual program. I knew I wanted to incorporate my creative writing programs virtually and thought nature journaling would be fitting for the summer and for summer reading. 

For this program, I gathered research online and used some craft books and professional books to help me with this one. 

First most, I explained what nature journaling is and what the benefits are of nature journaling. Nature journaling can be beneficial for both kids and adults and is a fun idea to do as a family.

After I talked a little bit about journaling and how you can involve nature, I showed my virtual audience how to make their own nature journal using paper, ribbon, and a folder, along with some cut out nature magazine pictures to decorate and make a collage.

Once done making the journal and showing the steps, I shared some of my simple journal entries to get them started and what things they could look for in nature that they could write about and keep stats about in their journal.

Lastly, I showed them a little clip of me in my backyard interacting with nature and showing them how they can be inspired to write in their journal in their own backyard.

This was a fun to film outside and show them what kind of things I found in my backyard-what kind of flowers, leaves, and even a turtle! It was such luck to run into that turtle that day of filming.

Virtual Program: Playdough Party Home Edition

 For my second virtual program, I switched it up a bit from a traditional storytime and did a playdough program. The playdough parties I have been putting on in the library were having great turn-outs that I wanted to find a way to bring the same fun to them at home. 

It also was a great opportunity to incorporate some playdough ideas that I always had in the back of my mind but never felt like they quite fit with the playdough party itself. For instance, I showed the kids/parents how to make playdough at home. This is something that if I did in the library, I would have to make it a separate program all together. 

For this virtual program, I started off by showing how to make your own playdough using stuff around the house. There are plenty of homemade playdough recipes online, but my challenge to myself was to find the simplest one with the easiest ingredients. I also knew I didn't want to use any recipes using the oven since I wanted the kids to be able to make and play with it as much as possible.

Once I showed everyone watching how to make the simple playdough at home and what ingredients they would need, I showed them some playdough tools they could use to play with their homemade playdough around the house. I hoped this element of the program got the kids to think and realize that practically anything could be used to play with their playdough and make designs and shapes and art.

The last part of my playdough program video was a playdough challenge. I challenged everyone watching to use the playdough they just made to make themselves out of playdough. I thought this would be a fun idea and showed them the playdough version of myself and gave them the option of making it 3D or just styling it on a piece of paper.

I enjoyed making this video and felt like I had my own cooking show for a minute there haha! This video definitely had more prep time than a storytime, but I think it was well-received. 

Book of the Month: Cuddle Monkey

Cuddle Monkey by Blake Liliane Hellman with pictures by Chad Otis is July's Book of the Month because it's a cute book to read to any "cuddle monkey." 

Summary: Lewis loves to cuddle. He cuddles his favorite book. He cuddles his stuffed animals. He even cuddles a puddle, just because it rhymes. Cuddling the bus driver, however, turns out to be a little dangerous. Cuddling at dinner is too messy. And cuddling his new baby brother is wiggly and squiggly. But it turns out a cuddle doesn't have to be perfect for it to be just the cuddle you need.

Ages: 4-8 years

"I LOVE to cuddle!" said Lewis. "WE KNOW," said his mama and papa together.

This is just simply a sweet, cute book to read to your child during bedtime. Monkey fans, big brothers, and cuddle culprits will enjoy hearing this book read to them. Make sure to end reading this short book with a cuddle!