Teach kids their ABCs by involving them in the process.

The digital camera is revolutionizing the way we take pictures. Now we can take amazing pictures of children and miraculously turn them into learning books. The two day project will involve kids, their parents and caregivers in an all-encompassing mission to create a dazzling Alphabet Book.

The end result: One ABC book for the table at the park filled with pictures of local kids, babies, and toddlers. Not to mention, showcasing the unique characteristics of Madison Square Park.

We'll take dozens of pictures with digital cameras to make sure we get all the shots we need, using all of the letters, and plenty of the children.

  THE ALPHABET PROJECT
1. S is for Smile and Summer – as in have a great summer!
2. The Alphabet Project will be a group effort. Involving all the letters and kids who want to participate. The Park Associates will also play a big part in its success.
3. We'll take lots of pictures. H is for Hot Dog stand. Z is for Zebra. Kids will be assigned letters and props to assure we cover everybody.
4. The main purpose: Fun and Learning. But mostly fun.
5. The community will rally around the project. The result will be dazzling. One book [26 photos in a plastic binder] will be provided to the playground to guard, preserve and share with the community. Production of a book for everyone is more costly than possible in this case. However if the project were to take off, it might attract media attention, as well as corporate sponsorship. We might also decide to plan an informal family event for the book's unveiling.
6. The Alphabet Project seems to be an accessible and worthwile undertaking for the Madison Square Kids Summer Program.

Applaud individuality! Get permission...
Kids are all cute. And they learn more when they get to participate in the process. Permission slips [model releases] would have to be given out a few weeks before the project and signed by the kids' parents acknowledging that the source material will be owned by Jane Hanstein Cunniffe with the potential to be licensed [i.e. books, poster] and that a percentage of the royalties will be donated to the Madison Square Park Conservancy.

Setting up a shot vs. capturing the moment: Both methods work well. In this case, we'll be creative, embark on a series of random photos with the children to celebrate the alphabet. We'll be using digital cameras, which means we won't be paying for film or to develop the pictures. So sky really is the limit.

Making books for kids is as easy as 1-2-3.
In my son Henry’s case, that meant one Buddha, two policemen and three taxicabs. Making educational and creative books for your kids can be wonderful for the whole family. It also gives your child every possible advantage, building his or her self-esteem and providing an interactive way to learn numbers and letters.

There are all sorts of books you can make with your kids. So why not one about their favorite stomping ground? No matter how the Alphabet Project unfolds, it is sure to bring the children into the creative process in a positive and almost enlightened way.

It is in this spirit that we embark on this effort – the first-ever Madison Square Park Alphabet Project.