As part of the National Early Childhood Week, the library organized a Snoezelen workshop dedicated to very young children. The free workshop, led by Sarah from “Ma Snoez & You”, was part of the various activities offered in the libraries of the Volvestre community; reading mats, kamishibai sessions, musical readings, Racontine… The workshop was well attended with about thirty children, mostly accompanied by parents. It was open to all families residing in the Volvestre community, conducted in thirty-minute time slots and in small groups of children. The snoezelen space is an approach that combines sensory exploration and discovery without obligation, allowing the child to move around as they please, where they want. The snoezelen space is a calm, relaxing place with soft lighting, beautiful soothing colors, and very gentle background music. Children have small toys they can use freely or watch, moving around on mats and cushions.
The Snoezelen space, accessible to parents, offers them the opportunity to share an activity, as a whole, with their child. It is an important family time as it creates a different kind of bond between parent and child, showcasing a different behavior from the child compared to at home, allowing parents to see their child in a new light. The main idea behind a snoezelen workshop is to focus on what attracts children and explore different forms through touch or sight. The term snoezelen, a combination of “snuffelen” (sniff) and “doezelen” (doze), was developed by two young Dutch people in the 1970s.
