World Kit from the Milford Library

I was psyched to discover that area towns loan flannel board stories and other materials!
Norfolk Library has an Early Childhood Resource Center~ I attend many workshops there too~

but they are not part of the CMARS Library network which serves Bellingham~ hence I have to drive to Norfolk and back to get and return these... with my new discovery, materials are able to be picked up right here in Bellingham!
Not all towns will loan these materials to neighboring towns- but many do not have that restriction!

I also utilize the Woonsocket Library- which gains me access to nearly all the library materials in the state of Rhode Island!

Lately, I have been struggling with organization and storage- not even lately, Always!! LOL

So another benefit of utilizing the library systems is that I can have these wonderful materials for the children and not have to worry about where I am going to store them-
and find them again!
when I need them.

This will allow me to have the quality materials I want for the children and also maintain an orderly and inviting environment...

The orderly and inviting environment is a definite work in progress and a huge goal of mine.

I increasingly find that the children do better with less toys.
Having less allows them to focus on what is available.
I notice when behavior problems begin, that removing materials always helps- even if I do not rotate new things in
(but I do rotate when I see interest waning in what is available)

Pictured is the "World Kit" and the children working together on the puzzle~ I love how Lelia joined right in...and the children are learning tolerance :)

Multicultural exposure is important for all children, and particularly to those children who are in a homongenous setting.

Besides ethnicity, multicultural education would include (but is not limited to)
various ages of people- elderly and infants for example~

roles of the sexes- people can do all sorts of jobs-most times, it is not restricted to 'girls only' or 'boys only'

Disabilities, traditions, and cooking/foods are other areas that can be explored.

Building a basis of how people are the same: everyone eats, needs shelter, clothing etc

And having children make those connections is important...

When they start to learn these things as small children, they are not frightened by the differences as they grow older and see more of the world~

They can draw on this early learning to become more tolerant, compassionate and accepting adults.