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For babies and toddlers, play is a source of joy, a serious job to be done and a way of making sense of the world around them. To see young children at play is to observe the hands-on learning that will enable them to participate in society and live fulfilling lives, due in no small part to the effect of play in early literacy acquisition.
The academic literature indicates there is a positive correlation between play experiences and early literacy development for babies and toddlers. Therefore, engaging play opportunities should be incorporated for this group at the library, which serves as an accessible space for families and an invaluable resource for early literacy learning.
Supporting babies, toddlers, and their families within library services to a quality standard requires an understanding of their needs, including the vital need to play. Literacy is recognized as beginning from birth,1 and as the brain creates more synapses in the first two years of life than at any other time,2 this is a crucial period in children’s development that deserves particular attention.
This review begins by defining play for babies and toddlers, followed by an exploration of the connection between play and early literacy. It then examines the literature surrounding the library as a play space, and the current perspectives of the value and role of play in libraries, particularly regarding early literacy.
Finally, this review looks at recent play-based initiatives in library curriculum planning, evaluating their overall impact and success in terms of early literacy development. Through synthesizing and analyzing the relevant literature and showcasing the success of library play initiatives, this review aims to promote the excellent work that is already taking place and advocate for the continued and advancing inclusion of play in all library services for the early literacy benefit of babies and toddlers.
Literature Search Methodology
The review of the literature began with the formulation and refining of primary and secondary questions. The primary question was, “How can play be incorporated into library services to support early literacy development for babies and toddlers?” followed by secondary questions:
“What does play look like for babies and toddlers?”
“What is the connection between play and early literacy development?”
“What is the role of play in the library?”