Picture books have a history of 100 years abroad, but in the mainland, especially in Wuhan, many talents have just begun to understand picture books. We visited several famous picture books in Wuhan, and the owners all said that the picture books were really helpless in Wuhan.
Almost all Wuhan picture books are non-profit.
The owner of the wisdom tree photo library is called "Lacey's mother" in the circle. After Lacey was born, Lacey's mother quit her job and stayed with her full-time. She told us that almost all picture books in Wuhan are now open as semi-public welfare places, and most of them are in a non-profit state. Well done can only make ends meet. The reason is that the cost of opening a picture library is relatively high.
As far as the Wisdom Tree Photo Gallery is concerned, the main operation mode is: after opening in August, activities are free in the first half of the year, and only 10 yuan material fee is charged after half a year. Reading in the library is free, and you can borrow picture books at any time when you apply for a library card in 500 yuan/year.
But there are activities every week. There are different picture books, magic stories and so on according to different ages. These expenses need to be covered by Lacey's mother herself. Plus monthly rent, water and electricity network fees, wages, fixed costs of more than 10 thousand yuan
"Other picture books are basically the same." However, the reason why the owners can continue to do it, Lacey's mother said: "I hope more children are lucky enough to have access to picture books, otherwise it will be a great pity. Moreover, it is also a beautiful career platform in itself. We may think more about whether it is pleasant and valuable. As for the return, as long as you don't lose too much. "
"Of course, from my personal point of view, Lacey is the driving force for continuing to open a museum. Many library owners have children like me, and picture book libraries can accompany children through their childhood. She is very happy here, with books and playmates, much better than those competitive public kindergartens. " Lacey's mother also wants to use the picture book library platform to contact a group of like-minded mothers and try to be a semi-nursery kindergarten to prevent children from conformity.
At present, the promotion of picture books mainly depends on word of mouth. It takes a lot of energy to do a lot of free activities in the early stage, and then it is basically old members who introduce new members.
Choosing picture books is as important as parent-child reading.
Opening a library is not as simple as "borrowing books for activities" on the surface. This is still a new industry, which contains the idea of Waldorf education-respecting children's nature and cultivating them slowly. Instead of inputting information from the perspective of adults, let children become adults in advance, but discover their talents from the perspective of children, so that children can read freely and socialize freely.
Therefore, for parents who are new to picture books, it is not only to provide them with books, but more importantly to influence them. Nowadays, many parents want their children to get "timely education", that is, they can see the output immediately when they invest. So many parents think picture books are dispensable. Because the effect could not be achieved quickly, the picture book was immediately abandoned.
In fact, drawing a book is like a spiritual embryo, a small bud rooted in a child's heart. Maintaining and waiting for it to grow is a pure process.
The choice of picture books is also exquisite, and it is best to have professional guidance.
Lacey's mother told us that when choosing books, we can generally start from several aspects: First, for children under 3 years old who are in the cognitive stage, choose books with simple pictures and prominent themes. Recommend Japanese Popland picture books. Second, it is easier to understand picture books by combining games. Over 3 years old, try to choose a picture book with a storyline, so that parents can guide their children to lay out the storyline in the process of companionship and enhance their interest.
Reading should begin with an unborn child. Although children can't read, parents can cultivate their children's reading habits by reading aloud to them, so that children can better contact the world. It is not only to increase knowledge, but also to let children establish contact with the outside world. Parents play the role of teachers in the process of reading, and the parent-child relationship has also been promoted.
When most parents come to the library, they will mention that their children will be distracted when reading with them. To this question, Lacey's mother said, "Either the book is chosen incorrectly or the reading method is wrong. I suggest that the content of picture books can be skillfully linked with some knowledge that children know in life. Moreover, parents must not lose patience because their children are not careful, and they must be gradual. Tell the relationship between books and us, and let children feel that reading is a very happy thing, so that the reading effect will get twice the result with half the effort. "
Lacey's mother believes that "picture books and parent-child reading will definitely be the general trend in the future and can be extended to many industries. Today they appear in the form of picture books, and maybe there will be another form in the future. I believe that this industry will eventually become mainstream. "