Two years in the making, the book includes checklists for parents.
PITTSFIELD - The Berkshire Museum has published "In Kindergarten," a new book that is part of its early childhood education programming, to help families prepare their children for school.
The book, a product of the museum's WeeMuseum program, includes coloring pages, tracing pages, and two pages of stickers designed to ease the transition into kindergarten."
For more than two years, the museum has been preparing the book that will be the basis for the "WeeMuse Ready for Kindergarten" event to be held on June 28, one of four free community events each year focused on early childhood learning.
According to a release, the book also includes checklists for children and parents, a calendar of activities that will help children prepare for entering school, and a list of suggested books and authors appropriate for kindergarten-age youngsters.
The book was created Craig Langlois, the museum's education and public program manager, in partnership with a team of community advisors.
Core team members included Sue Doucette, early childhood coordinator for Pittsfield Public Schools, and Melissa Zepka, literacy specialist with Family Resource Center of Child Care of the Berkshires, Inc.
The book was designed and illustrated by Amanda Bettis, Kimberly Donoughe, and Deirdre Tenero of Studio Two in Lenox.
The book, which is currently not available to the public, will be distributed free to every child registered to enter kindergarten in Berkshire County, starting this year. Its publication was funded in part by Berkshire Bank.
Other WeeMuse events include Science Night on July 11, Pajama Night on Nov. 7, and February's "10 Days of Play." The museum is also expanding its education and public program offerings for early learners and recently added an early childhood education specialist to the team.
"We have always served families with children but, knowing the need to prepare children for success before they reach school, we have made early childhood educational programming a core institutional value, said Van Shields, the museum's executive director.
Located in downtown Pittsfield, at 39 South St., the museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 adult, $6 child; Museum members and children age 3 and under are admission. For more information, visit http://berkshiremuseum.org/ or call (413) 443-7171.
Established by Zenas Crane in 1903, the museum integrates art, history, and natural science. "Berkshire Collects" is on view through May 11. "Objectify: A Look into the Permanent Collection" is currently on view. Little Cinema is open year-round. There are a number of ongoing exhibits.