Library playgroup creates autumn art

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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter

As they gazed outside of the windows, the fantastic colors of fall popped against the steady traffic zooming by. The crafts at hand were brought back to the children’s attention as their caregivers helped them to create an autumn wreath and leaf rubbings.

Every other week, Communities United, Inc. welcomes children at the Wellesley Free Library to drop in for a casual crafting activity. The non-profit organization aims to strengthen and enrich communities through free early childhood education programs that are open to the public.

With the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Communities United hosts fun and engaging activities for young ones and their caregivers.

In the Children’s Library’s Craft Room, an assortment of leaves from outside sat in a pile on the table. As the drop-in crafters sifted through a big box of crayons looking for their favorite colors, Morgan, who was running the program for the children, demonstrated techniques for a successful leaf rub.

“We’ve been doing all sorts of fall crafts, but it’s something different every time,” said Morgan, who travels to local libraries, community centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs to host the programs.

Although the session is designed for children ages two to six, younger ones were welcomed to work with their parents on the crafts. Using multicolored construction paper leaves, the children decorated paper plates with the centers cut out to make wreaths. Morgan helped the youngsters punch holes into the wreaths and tie string to it, so that they could hang up the fall-inspired wreaths at home.

The hour-long crafting session also invited children to put puzzles together, play matching games, and explore the sensory bin – a plastic bin filled with fake leaves, feathers, plastic animals, and sticks and pinecones from outside.

The events are always well-attended, and the leaf rubbing and wreath making session was no different. With toddlers and youngsters walking and talking with one another, the activities allowed children to play, create, and socialize - all before their afternoon nap.