Hello and welcome, book-lovers! Annie Hurst here; thanks for taking a moment out of your busy day to expand your knowledge of children’s literature! I have worked with young children for over half my life in various capacities, from camps to preschools, in-home settings, and special needs programs. One experience has remained constant, no matter the environment: BOOKS! I believe that humans are born with a boundless capacity for knowledge, and our love of storytelling has proved time and time again to be a leading technique for learning. I’d like to share with you some tips for facilitating a successful storytime experience with young children, as well as share some of my favorite reading materials for little learners.
5 tips for a successful storytime:
Pre-read! These days, there is a tremendous quantity of literature available for all ages, right at our fingertips! I highly recommend pre-reading books before introducing them to children. This gives the reader the opportunity to ensure appropriate content, confirm that the length and themes are suitable for the situation and age of the child(ren), and even begin thinking about how you might answer specific questions that come up in relation to the story.
Follow the child’s lead! There is no law that a book has to start at the beginning, end at the end, or be read in order and in its entirety. It is crucial for very young children to be able to explore books openly and freely, without the pressure to do it “right.” Allow them to turn pages themselves as they are able, point out pictures, and label items that strike their interest. When looking at lengthier books, feel free to edit down the text or change it altogether to meet the child’s developmental needs & attention span. If the child loses interest, move on!
Ask questions! “How do you think that made him/her feel?” “What do you think will happen next?” “What else do you notice in this picture?” Asking questions like these (even before children are verbal enough to answer) will hold the child’s attention, deepen engagement & comprehension, and promote language & critical thinking skills.
Get silly! Bring your personality to the table during storytime. Use silly voices, exaggerated facial expressions and inflections, and hand/ body movements to draw children’s attention. The more fun you have with the story, the more fun your listeners will have!
Read, Re-read, and re-read some more! Young children thrive on repetition and predictability. Be prepared to revisit their favorite stories, again and again, many times in the same sitting!
5 Favorite Children’s Books (in no particular order):
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown: A little boy growing up in a polluted city takes it upon himself to care for a forgotten garden. This enchanting tale, rich with environmental themes and breathtaking illustrations, becomes more vibrant as the garden (and his city) blooms.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry: The story of a friendly and courteous little truck who makes time for each and every creature he comes across- and who learns how important kindness and friendship truly are when calling on others for help out of a jam!
We All Sing with the Same Voice by J. Philip Miller, Sheppard M. Greene, Illustrated by Paul Meisel: A lyrical and joyful celebration of inclusion, respect, and appreciation for the differences that make each of us unique and special!
Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Seuss: A charming tale of the journeys of life, the pursuit of success, and the struggles one must encounter on the way. This story of perseverance is filled with Dr. Seuss’s heartwarming characteristic meter, rhymes, and illustrations.
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood: A clever little mouse gets creative in conjuring up ways to hide his precious, juicy strawberry from a hungry bear! This classic story is beloved for its humor, expressive illustrations, and surprise ending!
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