Isn’t storytime just reading books out loud?
Nope.
Each storytime routine is built from a dozen or more elements (songs, rhymes, a mystery object, etc.) and only one of those is reading a book.
Here’s why: It takes stamina to pay attention and exercise the imagination.
Ms. Andrea, Head of Youth Services, uses everything she knows about early literacy (and it is a lot!) to build a 20-minute routine in which children can gain crucial skills for the future.
Andrea says, “Kids need to feel safe and comfortable in order to learn.” That’s why our weekly storytime emphasizes predictability and accessibility. Once a child understands what this routine is all about, then they can reap the rewards.
Kids take away:
- Stamina for focused attention
- Increased imagination and curiosity
Parents and caregivers take away:
- Confidence and strategies for building this stamina at home
- Decreased loneliness for those who stay and play after storytime, sharing failures and successes with people who are facing similar struggles