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.

There will also be a brief tutorial and explanation about digital photography and the process we're using to make the 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 a digital camera 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 will be provided to the Playground to guard, preserve and share with the community. Production of a book or poster for everybody is more costly than possible in this case. So corporate sponsorship would be necessary, and perhaps likely, if the project takes off. It would also be something that could attract positive media coverage with a potential family event planned for the book's unveiling.
6. The Alphabet Project seems to be an accessible and worthwile undertaking for the Madison Square Park Playground's 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 giving their permission and allowing The Madison Square Playground and Jane Hanstein Cunniffe to use the pictures for this first ever Madison Square Alphabet Project.

Setting up a shot vs. capturing the moment: Both methods work well. In this case, we'll be creative, embark on a random series of 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. The only caveat is that printing the pictures is costly. Parents who want individual prints, will have the opportunity to check out [and purchase] pictures of their kids on SmilingGoat.com as the project takes shape.

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. Books about colors and books about holidays, books about boys who like dinosaurs and books about telling time. So why not a book 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 project. Two mornings with the kids taking pictures that become the 1st Annual Madison Square Park Alphabet Project.