CREATIVE PLAY extends the All Children Ready to Read early learning activities to preschool- and elementary-aged children in a program based on the Zambian Early Childhood Education curriculum. Creative Play sessions include early literacy activities focused on building skills such as phonological awareness, print awareness and motivation, narrative skills, and letter awareness, as well as music and movement, science experiments and math activities. The Lubuto Model Library’s Creative Play Center (CPC) is equipped with five stations for imaginary play: a traditional market; a clinic; a farm; a kitchen; and a family playroom. The CPC is available all day when the library is open. 

BABY LAPTIME supports female and male parents and caregivers to give their babies, from age 0 to 2, the best start from the very beginning of their lives, equipping them to engage their children in quality early learning experiences at home. Using an approach based on the American Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read program, and incorporating traditional early childhood practices throughout Zambia, Baby Laptime introduces parents to the five simple practices that help children get ready to read: talking, singing, playing, reading and writing. Lubuto Library Partners adapted this program to include songs, rhymes, and games drawn from oral traditions in Zambia. Parents are reinforced in their understanding that they are their child’s first teacher, that they know their child best, that children learn best by doing and that they love doing things with their parents. Songs, talk and play are conducted in English and Zambian languages. Baby Laptime sessions are offered every weekday at the Lubuto Model Library.

While early childhood education and preschool programs beginning around age 3 are offered in a variety of settings in Zambia and worldwide, Baby Laptime programs are generally an exclusive feature of public libraries. As newborns’ eyes begin to focus they are exposed to books read or sung to them by their mothers. In the process of identifying and sharing Zambian songs (“Kankuluwale”, “Bana ba Sikolo”, “Nyumba ya Sakala”, “Kambewa”, “Namsisi Lombe”, to name a few) we are also doing what libraries worldwide do: preserving aspects of our culture. These are also made available to all via Lubuto’s YouTube channel. And in witnessing the enjoyment and growing attendance at Baby Laptime sessions, we have noted that they provide critical psychological and social support to parents of infants.