Interactive family play and learning experience at Whiting Library

CHESTER, Vt. – In celebration of the Week of the Young Child, Whiting Library invites families with infants and toddlers to participate in a unique, interactive play-based learning experience designed to support early childhood development and strengthen caregiver-child connections, on Tuesday, April 14, at 10 a.m.

This 90-minute immersion session will be led by Cara Tyrrell, a nationally recognized early childhood teacher trainer, author, and parent educator who grew up in Chester. The program offers a hands-on alternative to a traditional author talk and will take place within the library’s Family Place playgroup environment. Each participating family will receive a copy of Tyrrell’s newly published book “Talk to Them Early and Often: A Caregiver’s Guide to Intentional Language Development for Infants and Toddlers” to take home.

During the play-group session, Tyrrell will model intentional language strategies rooted in her collaborative discipline framework: connect, communicate, collaborate, and compromise. These research-backed techniques help caregivers understand how everyday interactions and word choices can spark early learning, support emotional regulation, and build strong relationships.

Caregivers will observe intentional language strategies in action and practice techniques with their children during the play group. Participants will receive caregiver coaching and leave with practical tools to use with young children right away.

The program emphasizes learning through low-pressure, playful moments, and ways of helping caregivers build confidence in supporting their child’s development through everyday interactions.

A follow-up author chat with Tyrrell will be held at Whiting Library on Saturday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m., offering families the opportunity to return with questions and receive additional guidance on applying these communication strategies at home. This two-part model ensures that the experience is not only inspiring, but also practical and sustainable.

This program is part of Whiting Library’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and building foundations for early learning in the community. For more information, contact Carrie King, youth librarian, at youthlibrarian@whitinglibrary.org. Register for the play group online at www.whitinglibrary.org/event/playgroup-for-littles-0-5-caregivers-7. Whiting Library is located at 117 Main Street, Chester, Vt.