Pike library offers STEM backpacks

MILFORD — The Pike County Public Library received four backpacks from The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries to provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) materials and books for young children and their adults to enjoy.
The funds that provided the backpacks were made available through the Cruise into Kindergarten initiative. Each backpack focuses on a STEM topic—measuring, nighttime, nature and simple machines.
For example, the measuring backpack includes three books, materials such as measuring cups, a thermometer and measuring tape that can be used in reconstructing some of the scenes in the book or to try other activities in the accompanying guide. The adults not only read the books but act as co-players and help the children think about and articulate what they are doing.
Research shows that play helps children develop many skills: social-emotional (cooperation, self-confidence, initiative, perseverance); physical development (eye-hand coordination, hand manipulation); mathematics (shape, measurement, classification, size, space); science (weight, balance, trial and error, observation); language arts (writing and telling stories about what they are doing); and art (patterns, symmetry, drawing).
Stop by either branch of the library and check one out. The Milford branch is located at 119 E. Harford St., and the Dingman Township branch is located at 100 Bond Court (off of Log Tavern, near Route 739).