General Laundry Co. in Victor, Idaho, has partnered with the Valley of the Tetons Library to install a LaundryCares’ Family Read, Play & Learn Center within the laundromat.
In addition to a wide selection of quality children’s books, the literacy-rich space features a small table and chairs for kids visiting the laundromat, an alphabet magnet board and toys designed with early childhood learning and development in mind. Thanks to a grant from the Idaho Commission for Libraries, families in Victor can now read together, explore letters, play interactively and develop phonics awareness while doing their laundry.
“The new ‘Literacy at the Laundromat’ space is designed to get kids excited about learning and to reinforce early literary tools,” said Rasheil Stanger, Valley of the Tetons Library Program Director. “Letter recognition, rhyming, I-spy games and other engaging activities get kids ready for preschool, kindergarten and elementary school.”
A study conducted by the Laundry Literacy Coalition discovered that access to books, printouts and early literacy activities supports early literacy development. In addition, the coalition found that creating reading spaces in laundromats helps families support learning skills in children.
“The Read, Play & Learn Center has changed our laundromat by putting more emphasis on our most vulnerable young ones,” explained Deb Grove, owner of General Laundry Co. “There is very nice interaction between children and their parents while the laundry is being processed. A number-one goal of mine is to see kids with a book or a toy in their hands – and not a cell phone.”
General Laundry has provided a collection of new free books and magazines to participate in tandem with the library’s gift, with titles in both English and Spanish.
