Project Enlightenment resource center keeps parents, children busy with books, games, projects

I've written about the Parent Teacher Resource Center several times here on Go Ask Mom. The center is part of Project Enlightenment, Wake County school's early childhood education and intervention program.

The center is designed for teachers and parents of young children from birth to kindergarten. You'll find a large library with all kinds of parenting and educational resources - books, information sheets and DVDs, along with staffers with all kinds of knowledge on a range of early childhood issues. You can check items out from the library.

The library also includes books for children, along with puzzles and other toys to keep them busy while parents or teachers check out the books and materials. You could easily spend a couple of hours here reading books and playing with your kids. It's a fantastic resource.

And what makes it even better is the production area. While it's geared toward teachers who are looking to make educational activities for their students, there are plenty of resources here for parents. I've made a routine chart here for my older daughter when she was a rising kindergartner.

A few years ago, my older daughter and I took advantage of the huge selection of Ellison die cuts to create a birthday poster for my younger daughter. And I've used the die cuts for Go Ask Mom event crafts too.

With your preschooler, you could make your own ABC or numbers book, for instance, with the die cuts, or create a simple math game.

The center has a few supplies on hand, but you are welcome to bring your own paper, markers and other tools for your project. Staffers also can get your started so that you can finish your project at home.

There are small charges to use the die cuts and other resources, but they are nominal. For instance, it's 2 cents per die cut. So an ABC book with 26 letters is going to cost you a whopping 52 cents if you bring your own paper.

The center's hours will be shifting as we head into the summer season. They do include one evening most months when the center is open later, giving working parents a chance to check the center out.

Here are the hours:

June
Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Friday.
Open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 20

July
Open only on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

August
Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Friday.
Open 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15

One note on the production area: It is sometimes reserved for special groups. Before you go, be sure to call ahead to make sure that there will be room for you. The number is 919-856-7804.

And after you check out the books and make a project, you can play on the center's playground.

Also, I wanted to take a moment to recognize Anne Sherman, the resource center's wonderful coordinator. Anne will retire at the end of this month after decades helping parents and kids across Wake County in the classroom and at Project Enlightenment. Thank you Anne for all of your hard work! You will be missed!

Project Enlightenment is on South Boylan Avenue near downtown Raleigh.