Sometimes we have expectations for story time that may or may not occur. One of my mommy fantasies included cuddling up on the couch on a cold day with a warm fireplace aglow. Don't ask me where this came from. We didn't have a fire place growing up and I was one of six children - way too many kids to crowd onto a couch for a quiet story time!
As a teacher I hoped my little charges would gather around me and listen with wide eyed wonder as I held story time on the carpeted classroom floor. I just knew my voice would mesmerize them so they stayed in place until the story's end. Yeah...right. That little fantasy shattered pretty fast.
Years of Early Childhood Development career choices and Parenting have taught me the following:
Story Time Tips
1. Introduce story time with a special song. (Know as an "Auditory Cue.")
2. Use sign language and gestures with story time if possible. You don't have to sign the whole book. Select a few simple words and introduce the signs. Repetition is key.
3. Have a special gathering spot as a "home base" for books and a basket with the items you will use for story time. (Puppets, Bubbles, or other props)
4. Plan on beginning the story. Don't plan on ending the story in a "traditional" The End sort of manner. When the story isn't working as evidenced by little bodies wiggling and squirming away from "home base" then morph into "lowered expectation" mode.
5. It's ok if the child or group of children decide to leave the "home base" to move around. Even though this is not your picture perfect story telling moment, the good news is this: Children can still hear the story if you decide to continue to read.
6. Young children especially have a limited ability to remain plastered to one spot. Let them move in and out of the circle (or on/off the couch) while you continue. Your interest in the story is enough to encourage them to stay tuned in. Eventually they will mature to a point where they can attend throughout the story.
7. Include action in the story to help inspire children to stay focused. Hand clapping, singing the text, and showing children how to act out the verbs in a story make for an exciting story time.
8. Infants love story time too. Make sure you get creative with ways to position a child or a group of children so that they can see the book and participate in signing, actions, and use of props such as puppets.
Positioning techniques include:
Side Lying
Tummy Time or Lying "in the nest" face up
Sitting up with Support
Standing by a Toy
Children can participate in story time by sitting, lying down on tummy, standing, or side lying. They can use a chair, the floor, a "Boppy" pillow, or sit in a laundry basket for support as they practice sitting. Babies can be held or sit in a baby seat during story time unless they become restless. A frequent change in position may be necessary. Keep story times short and sweet for Infants and Toddlers with short attention spans.
The most important things to remember are:
1. Make Story Time a part of every day.
2. Story Time becomes easier if it is an established routine that children come to expect.
3. Repetition is important.
4. Children should not be expected to sit still for a long period of time. If story time is forced, children will learn to dread instead of love reading.
Today's Book Recommendation
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