This workshop will be recorded for registered participants, however the recording will not be shared publicly, so please remember to register:

A Joyous Way to Learn! With Jim Gill – LIVE
Thursday, October 7, 2021
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

Music Play to promote readiness, literacy, math development, and inclusion. This lively session incorporates Jim Gill's most recent songs as well as in-depth discussion connecting music play with school readiness, literacy development and early math development.

Librarians will leave the session inspired to share a new repertoire of songs and playful literacy activities with the children they care for. Even more, they will leave the session understanding that what is most challenging about working in early childhood is also what makes the profession so exciting. When we define our teaching as helping children learn, we not only provide joyous challenges for the children. We also keep ourselves engaged and rejuvenated by watching their excitement as they learn. This workshop will connect with the 5 practices of Ready to Read Michigan.

Jim Gill is a musician and author with unique credentials among children’s artists. Jim is a child development specialist, having completed his graduate studies in child development at the Erikson Institute of Chicago with a special emphasis on the study of play. For this reason, each of Jim’s recordings and books is created as an opportunity for playful interactions between a child and a caring adult.

In addition to his studies, Jim’s 20 years of experience creating and leading play groups for families with children with special needs has informed his work. Jim led weekly music play programs at numerous therapeutic and family support agencies in the Chicago area. His unique writing style—combining word play and movement opportunities into songs—was inspired by this work. Just as important, his strategies to promote family involvement in his concerts were developed through these weekly sessions.

Jim has released seven award-winning CDs of music play for young children that are favorites in family rooms, classrooms and playrooms. He is also the author of two children's books. His latest, A Soup Opera, is a sing-along opera inspired by concerts that Jim performs with symphony orchestras. The book received an American Library Association award in 2010. Jim has received five separate awards from the American Library Association for his recordings and books over the years.

Jim speaks to early childhood educators, care providers and children’s librarians across the country about the many benefits of play in young children’s lives. Jim has shared his expertise on music, play and literacy with organizations such as Head Start, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association for Family Child Care and, most recently, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

This project is made possible by grant funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan.

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator

Library of Michigan
702 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI 48915
My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org to learn more.

LancasterC5@michigan.gov | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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