Association of Children ’ s Librarians Friday, April 8, 2016 Professional Development Session Storytime Fundamentals Adding Literacy Skills and Parent Involvement

Background Infopeople course taught in December 2015 and scheduled for June 2016 again due to demand Information from Crash Course in Storytime Fundamentals: Second Edition by Penny Peck, Libraries Unlimited, 2015.

Week 1 – Storytime Basics Goals of Storytime: Having Fun Modeling readalouds for parents Promoting reading and library use Kindergarten Readiness Others?

Trends in Storytimes –Toddler and Preschool – toddler attendance on the increase –Interest in audience participation books –Registration going out of favor (SF exception)

Dealing with Disruptions Dealings with disruptions – lots of great advice! –Signage –Cell phones –Parents not participating

Week 2 – Hands-on Learning and Kindergarten Readiness Arts and Crafts in Preschool storytime –Anyone already offering crafts? –Thinking about adding crafts? –Why we include arts and crafts –Keep it simple, use volunteers

Week 2 – Preliteracy and Kindergarten Skills Six Preliteracy Skills – any thoughts or questions on this? Should we even think about this aspect of the books we include? Kindergarten Readiness – why it can be helpful to include in storytime –Easy to include –Already something we are doing

Five Parent Practices Reading, Singing, Talking, Playing, and Writing –Easy to incorporate into storytimes? –Should we make this a priority?

Week 3 - Technology Media and Music – what technology do you use now for music? –None –CD Player –MP3 –Spotify

Week 3 – Apps and eBooks Using Apps and eBooks at storytime –Often at the end –Some libraries offer “all-app” storytimes –Experiences? –Buy-in from management

Proper Use of Technology Modeling positive, purposeful use of technology with young children

TumbleBooks or Book Flix

Special Storytimes Bilingual Family Stay and Play Dance Party Yoga

Bilingual Storytimes Based on community need Not just once in a while but ongoing, weekly program Where to find materials Languages? Sign Language? Other thoughts?

Special Storytime Events Stay and Play storytime – set out toys for approx minutes after storytime Yoga Storytime

Dance Party Storytime Well-known dances like “Hokey Pokey” Free dance Beanbags and scarves Parachutes Water, quiet corner

Summer Reading and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Summer storytimes

Conclusion Other questions or comments?