Hands-on learning at RPL South

Published 12:06 am Wednesday, February 5, 2025

CHINA GROVE — Those looking for a fun time while learning about the elements of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) had the perfect place to do it Saturday at the Rowan Public Library South Branch. 

Bring your Child to the Library Day stretched from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured all kinds of building blocks for young people of all ages. 

Melissa Gephart is the children’s librarian for Rowan Public Library. She was on hand Saturday to talk about the program and how it enhances local learning opportunities for young people. 

“In the past year, we started a home school program,” Gephart said, adding that the program material is heavily influenced by STEAM manipulatives. 

“We try to focus on a different STEAM activity or a different STEAM theme every single month,” she said. “That has been really successful.”

Bring your Child to the Library Day has evolved over time, as Gephart noted. 

“Last year, when we did Bring your Child to the Library Day, we focused on kindergarten readiness,” she said. “We had some manipulatives for our little patrons, but this year we wanted to be inclusive of older kids as well so we tried to incorporate some steam activities that would appeal to older kids.”

So what exactly are manipulatives?

“Manipulatives are hands-on things,” Gephart said. “Its one thing to listen to a lecture or read a book or watch a movie, but a lot of kids really learn better when they learn with manipulatives.

“They have their hands on something. They are building. They are learning through trial and error. Some kids learn better in groups so that is a perfect opportunity to work with a grown up or with a sibling.”

In addition to the science behind it, Gephart can attest to its benefits personally.

“That tactile learning is so important for kids,” Gephart said. “There are some kids that learn exclusively that way. My son had a difficult time in elementary school and we found that tactile learning was a game changer for us … It really made a difference.”

So for those who stopped by the library on Saturday, there were various stations set up with challenges and prompts for them to explore building blocks. Those stations included items like Legos, QuBix and Marble Maze. 

“I am a big fan of Legos,” Gephart said. “In the past I have run Lego clubs, that is a great way to get parents and kids working together.”

Seeing young people build relationships with learning at the library warms Gephart’s heart. 

“Whether it be home school program, story times for all different age groups or art time in the afternoon, everything is geared toward teaching and instilling that life long learning that the library wants to sell,” Gephart said.