By Michelle Metcalf

NOPL Communications Director

Running, climbing, jumping — it’s what you would expect to see children do at the park. What you might not expect are the materials being used — paint, large cardboard spools, tubes, netting, milk crates, and other items. This unusual playtime is part of a weekly program based on an international play-based learning system called Anji Play.

Anji Play is a comprehensive approach to early learning that treats a child’s open-ended, self-determined play activities as the primary experience of learning, development and growth. Anji Play is currently the full-time, full-day curriculum for 130 public schools serving 14,000 children ages 3-6 in Anji County, China. 

Through undirected play, children learn to work in groups, lead others, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts, take risks and exercise their creativity. They develop self-advocacy and decision-making skills, discover their own passions and areas of interest, and even build literacy skills by creating a “play story” at the end of each program, drawing or writing about their play experience that day.

“Community Playdate: An Anji Play Experience,” is held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, July 11 through Aug. 22, at Clay Central Park in Liverpool. Families with young children are invited to come and play using the materials provided. Wear messy clothes, bring a water bottle, or bring a picnic dinner and make an evening of it. The program will be held rain or shine; in the event of severe weather, postponements or cancellations will be posted on the library’s website at nopl.org.

Clay Central Park is located at 4821 Wetzel Road, Liverpool. For more information about Anji Play, contact NOPL Cicero Children’s Librarian Nicole Hershberger at 315-699-2032 or visit anjiplay.com/parents.

Upcoming events

Egypt and Its Tombs

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 8
NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane

Egyptologist Leah Bender will discuss Egyptian tombs and views on the afterlife. The presentation is open to all and will include 3D tours of some of the most famous tombs.

Games on a Roll for Teens

4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 9
NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

This luxury, limo-style theater on wheels features widescreen HDTVs, surround sound, vibrating seats, that allow twenty gamers at a time to play all the latest Xbox, Wii, Wii U, and PS3 games.

Make Lasagna with Vince’s

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11
Vince’s Gourmet Imports, 440 S. Main St., North Syracuse

Join library staff in this special program at Vince’s Gourmet Imports to learn the secrets of making delicious homemade lasagna from scratch. Registration required; call NOPL North Syracuse at 315-458-6184.