Thrive by Five Washington’s Early Learning Lab is coming to San Juan Island in partnership with the San Juan Island Library and the San Juan Island Family Resource Center.
The lab will be available to explore 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Family Resource Center, 476 Market Street, across from Marketplace and next to the Food Bank.
All activities in the Early Learning Lab will include literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities, targeting young children age birth to five. Children and their caregivers, along with educators, are invited to this free, interactive event.
According to Thrive by Five Washington, the Early Learning Lab consists of cubes that create an attractive street-level public gathering space. Cubes provide access to high-quality books and hands-on early learning activities. The concept of the parent as their child’s first and most important teacher is illustrated and practiced. “We’re delighted to co-sponsor the Learning Lab visit to the island,” said San Juan Island Library Youth Services Coordinator Melina Lagios.
“This summer the library launched Science Fun Storytimes to incorporate STEM-based concepts into our curriculum for preschoolers. Having this specially-designed lab staffed by Thrive by Five will help expand STEM learning to more children in our community.”
Thrive by Five Washington launched the Early Learning Lab in 2013. Since then, it has traveled over 2,500 miles with more than 1,500 children participating. Sept. 11 will mark its first visit to San Juan Island. Thrive by Five Washington is the state’s nonprofit public-private partnership for early learning.
Its mission is “building community-wide commitment to deliver a comprehensive, high-quality early learning environment that benefits every child and family in Washington.” For additional information about the Early Learning Lab coming to San Juan Island, please visit www.sjlib.org or contact Melina Lagios at the library at 378-2798. Or, visit Thrive by Five Washington on Facebook or www.thrivebyfivewa.org.
