Shhh…what you are about to read is top secret. Very top secret. I’m about to de-mystify storytime at the library. But you can’t tell anyone.
Librarians are people. There I said it. Storytellers are just ordinary people reading children’s books and singing songs in what might seem like extraordinary ways. Have you ever wondered how your librarian tells those stories and sings those songs so flawlessly? It takes practice. Lots of practice. Trial and error. Flexibility. Research. Flexibility. Trial and error. And did I mention practice?
So when you attend storytime with your child, keep in mind, these literacy tips, songs, stories, rhymes, and activities are for your benefit. For baby storytime, it’s entertainment for the child and modeling literacy skills for the parents. For the toddler and preschoolers, it’s entertainment and learning for the child, in addition to modeling the literacy skills for parents.
If you are looking for some storytelling ideas to try at home, visit some of my favorite storytime websites from some very talented librarians. Keep in mind these are written for librarians, but I think some of the activities, songs, and books could be translated very easily in a classroom or home setting:
Before I wrap up this post, let’s talk briefly about why libraries provide storytime to children and their families and why you should be attending:
Remember when we discussed the early literacy skills: Loving Books, Using Books, Sounds, Storytelling, Vocabulary, ABCs
- It will help instill a love of books
- Your children will learn how to use a book
- Children will practice rhyming
- You’ll learn new ways to tell stories and sing songs with your children
- Children will learn new vocabulary
- It will increase letter and number knowledge
- Good reason to visit the library
- Meet and interact with other children and families
- Free entertainment!
And…if you’ve never been to storytime, please click here —-> Story Time at the SCDL.
laughplayread 