Today, the incubator space we occupy at the West Barnstable First Lutheran Church exemplifies the concepts we envision for a full-sized “Family Play Learning Center”.
The ultimate goal is to develop a permanent, centrally-located, Family Play Learning Center as Cape Cod Toy Library, Inc. headquarters for on-site programs and hub for outreach activities. Our "Family Play Learning Center" will be an aesthetically attractive, welcoming, learning environment with enriching educational materials for sensory and creative as well as science and math explorations to support children’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, sensory, creative and physical development.
Reception Area
A welcoming reception area and circulation desk to include child development and parenting resource information as well as a selected toys and gifts for sale.
Main Play Area
A “Reggio inspired” environment. Every furnishing and play material considered for its purpose to enhance curiosity, engagement in learning and discovery.
Toy Library
Access to the collection of toys and resources gives children and adults the freedom to choose and try out new things – empowering them and building their confidence.
Multi-purpose
Play Therapy Room
A Play Therapy room for therapeutic sessions for small groups or 1:1. The setting will serve as a “natural environment” for therapists to provide their services and do behavioral screenings with children.
Meeting Space
A large two way mirror is envisioned from a versatile meeting space into a play therapy room for parent observations, professional training purposes and for grant funded educational research.
A Reggio-inspired space...
Cape Cod Toy Library will be a “Reggio inspired” toy library – we believe it will be the first.
The Reggio Emilia, child-centered approach to facilitating and supporting children’s learning is exemplified both through the aesthetic environment and the staff’s intentional planning and responses to the children that expands upon the children’s interests and ideas, supporting their social-emotional needs, and deepening and broadening the learning experiences. Cape Cod Toy Library’s learning environments are designed to be welcoming, safe, comfortable and nurturing for children and families. These community environments play an important role in children and families’ lives in developing a sense of community, social-emotional well-being, and joyful engagement in life-long learning.
A Reggio inspired environment is known for being filled with natural light, order, and aesthetic beauty.
The space will be set up intentionally to encourage collaboration, communication and exploration.
Every furnishing and play material is considered for its purpose to enhance curiosity, engagement in learning and discovery.
Our enriching learning environment is intended to “dazzle our senses, invite curiosity and discovery, and most importantly foster strong, respectful relationships.”
(“Making the Environment the Third Teacher” Maggie Carter, Exchange Magazine July/August 2007)