Children gather in a circle during storytime at the Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library. The library is partnering with DuPage Children’s Museum and SPARK (Strong, Prepared And Ready for Kindergarten) for an interactive play program. (Amy Roth photo)

The Aurora Public Library is teaming up with Naperville’s DuPage Children’s Museum to show parents how to make play a natural part of learning opportunities at home.

“Playing allows us as human beings to experiment with new objects and ideas to figure out how these things fit into our lives,” said Aurora Public Library Early Literacy Specialist Vita Miceli.  

“When we play, we figure out how things work, what we like and what we don’t like; how to stretch our comfort zone, and how to be comfortable in our own skin.”

The “Play to Learn” program will feature portable exhibits from the DuPage Children’s Museum that will help children and their parents or caregivers discover learning through play.

“The library feels it is important to collaborate with the Fox Valley United Way’s SPARK (Strong, Prepared And Ready for Kindergarten) program because we serve families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers who need programs that promote learning through play,” Miceli said.  “We want to help kids develop their math, science and early literacy skills before they enter kindergarten.

“Kids who are allowed to play with objects and ideas are given the privilege to learn without being judged,” Miceli added.  “These kids do better in life and school because they were given a chance to problem-solve creatively through their vivid imaginations.”

Children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers are welcome to attend one of seven identical programs that will be offered at three library locations:

Eola Road Branch (555 S. Eola Road, 630-264-3400):

Feb. 28: 9 to 9:45 a.m.; 10 to 10:45 a.m. or 11 to 11:45 a.m.

West Branch (233 S. Constitution Drive, 630-264-3600):

March 11: 9 to 9:45 a.m., 10 to 10:45 a.m. or 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Main Library (1 E. Benton St., 630-264-4100):

April 29: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The programs are being made possible through a collaboration among SPARK, DuPage Children’s Museum and the Aurora Public Library Foundation.

Caregiver and child pairs are required to register for the program. Go to aurorapubliclibrary.org and click on “Events,” or call one of the locations listed above.