Storytimes are a staple program in our Libraries. We are often asked why we do them; is it to entertain? Is it to give children and parents something free to do? Is it just to entice them to come into our libraries, or do we do them because they help make a difference?
Storytimes are designed to encourage a love of reading, develop social interactions and stimulate imagination. Attending Storytimes allows children and their carers to experience stories and songs in a fun and interactive way while building the foundation for literacy.
The years from birth to five are critical for building emergent literacy skills that precede the ability to learn how to read and write:
- Print motivation – thinking that books and reading are fun
- Vocabulary – knowing the names of things
- Print awareness – recognizing print and understanding how books work
- Letter knowledge – understanding that each letter has its own name and sounds
- Narrative skills – being able to tell stories and describe things
- Phonological awareness – being able to recognize and play with the smaller sounds that make up words. (MacLean, 2008)
Cognitive skills of young children are an important factor in explaining success later-on in life. Skill attainment at one stage of the life cycle raises skill attainment at later stages of the life cycle (Cunha et al., 2006). If a child starts school behind they stay behind, so we believe in the importance of exposing children to reading and language as early as possible.
Every childhood program that our libraries offer are based on developing early literacy and school readiness skills. Every activity/craft we include is based on developing various gross-motor and fine-motor skills to help children develop the neural pathways in their brains.
Storytimes have become so popular in some libraries that librarians are finding
a huge demand for additional sessions. In fast growing municipalities, such as City of Whittlesea or City of Casey, Storytime attendance rates often reach 100+ people.
Librarians have adapted their spaces to accommodate growing numbers, such as creating areas for pram parking, conducting their Storytimes outside or in other rooms of the library, and some have introduced headset microphones/PA equipment for particularly crowded sessions.
While growing numbers are something to celebrate, increased crowds and noise can become a deterrent and actually inhibit some families and children from attending.
An Introductory excerpt from Sensitive Storytimers: Inclusive practices in Public Libraries by:
- Helen Lightbody, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
- Kylie Carlson, Yarra Libraries
- Cory Greenwood, Yarra Libraries
- Joanne Sinclair, Amaze
You can download a copy of this resource here
If you have any questions regarding this resource, please contact Kylie Carlson, Coordinator Community Learning and Partnerships at Yarra Libraries |
