A hive of literacy and imagination
The Hive
As part of the Literacy Rich Neighborhoods Initiative, The Hive is located at the historic Johnson House, a site rooted in African American heritage and the history of sanctuary spaces on the Underground Railroad. Designed as a safe haven for children and families, The Hive extends the nature themes of Cliveden while creating opportunities for literacy-rich playful learning. Storytelling wheels, reading nooks, and custom word panels—featuring words chosen by the community—invite children and caregivers to share stories and explore language connected to the site’s history. An I-Spy handheld viewer encourages children to link the surrounding landscape with their own emotions and reflections, while an interactive audio station plays songs about justice, freedom, and joy. Together, these elements create a vibrant space where storytelling, music, and play bring history, literacy, and imagination to life.
The Learning Goals
The Hive encourages children and families to engage in playful literacy through a variety of interactive elements. The Lending Library and PL Reading Nooks support communication as caregivers and children read aloud, share stories, and build vocabulary together. Story Spinners inspire creative innovation, prompting families to invent narratives and practice language in imaginative ways. The PL Word Search fosters critical thinking as children search for community-selected words tied to the site’s history and meaning. The I-Spy Viewer and I-Spy Game encourage observation and reflection, connecting the physical landscape with children’s emotions and ideas. Finally, the Bee Prompts invite children to engage actively with the space, strengthening confidence as they explore and respond. Together, these elements transform The Hive into a vibrant hub where literacy, history, and play intertwine.
The Team
The Nest was created through a collaboration between Playful Learning Landscapes, Mount Airy Community Development, KSS Architects, Derek Weston, Watchdog Project Management, and Interpret Green.
Supporters
The Hive was generously supported by the William Penn Foundation, whose investment in the Literacy Rich Neighborhoods Initiative made this installation possible.
