February 17, 2023
Media Center Activity Sparks Imagination for Young Students
Written by: Amy Frierson
If you had been near the Prince Media Center over a recent weekend in February, you may have heard commotion coming from the library and spotted a group of friends watching a movie, doing a craft, reading a story, or eating a snack. But these were no ordinary friends; these were Prince kindergarten Sleepy Buddies!
Prince Media Center Specialist Danny Delgado is always searching for unique ways to inspire his young students toward the love of reading. “We want our students to associate reading with pleasure, joy, and enthusiasm.” Mr. Delgado certainly inspired enthusiasm with his recent kindergarten “Sleepy Buddy Library Sleepover”!
Based on the children’s book by Drew Daywalt, Sleepy the Goodnight Buddy, Mr. Delgado orchestrated a weekend of fun for Prince kindergarten students. He started by reading aloud Sleepy the Goodnight Buddy and then presented students with a permission slip to allow one of their favorite stuffed animals to spend the weekend at a sleepover with Mr. Delgado in the Prince media center.
“We worked with our kindergarten teachers, parents, and volunteers to create an experience that supported imagination, wonder, and curiosity.” The children bought in immediately and each brought in a special stuffed “friend” to attend.
Mr. Delgado worked with his parent volunteers to create picture and video content that would be posted throughout the weekend on the Media Center’s Twitter account. Students and parents could check on their Sleepy Buddies for updates on their adventures.
Among other activities, Sleepy Buddies enjoyed movie night with popcorn, library learning centers, craft time, bedtime stories, and Fruit Loops for breakfast. The children followed along as if Mr. Delgado was actually interacting with their buddies in real-time and were eager to hear all about the weekend when they returned to school on Monday. Each Sleepy Buddy received a treat bag and sleep mask as a party favor before returning home with their child.
Although he was tired from all of the content creation and weekend posting, Mr. Delgado explains the experience was completely worth the effort. “We want to encourage families to enjoy the love of reading at home, and this event created a shared experience between the school and families that the children will always remember.”
To enjoy all of Mr. Delgado’s posts, follow the Prince Media Center on Twitter @pacsmediacenter.