Wiggle-Giggle Storytime Kids are Customers October 16, 2008 Jill Hutchison St. Mary’s County Library

What is Wiggle-Giggle Storytime? A special toddler storytime adapted to serve 2 groups: Children with diagnosed developmental delays and disabilities, who are participating in the Infants and Toddlers Program Ordinary toddlers & preschoolers who are especially energetic or “wiggly”

What is Wiggle-Giggle Storytime? A partnership between: St. Mary’s County Library St. Mary’s County Infants and Toddlers Program

The Infants and Toddlers Program Exists in every county in Maryland Part of the MD State Dept of Education Early-intervention program Diagnostic, referral, special education & therapy services free of charge For young children with developmental delays & disabilities

A Child is eligible for services if she/he: Is under 3 years old Has a delay of 25 percent or more in any area of development; or Is developing in a way that is considered "atypical" for his/her age; or Has a diagnosed condition that is likely to affect development.

What kinds of special needs? Range from mild to severe Speech and language delays Low birth weight Autism Down syndrome Cerebral palsy Hearing impairment Vision problems …

To find your local Infants and Toddlers Program, visit: msde/divisions/earlyinterv/infant_toddlers /directories/local_program.htm

What It Looks Like: Once-a-week, half-hour library storytime. Special-Needs toddlers attend alongside their peers from the general public. Children’s librarians lead the storytime. Staff from the Infants and Toddlers Program sit with the children, & help their students to participate. A free-play session follows, led by Infants and Toddlers staff.

The “Regular” Kids… 1/2 to 2/3 of the children attending are ordinary toddlers Extra-active or “wiggly” May have tried other storytime sessions and been unable to sit and pay attention

Hints & Tips Rules & expectations: clear, simple & realistic. No sit-time activity longer than 3 minutes. Follow each sit-time activity with a “wiggle.” Sit up slightly higher or stand when children stand up, others behind them can still see. Be prepared to tell the stories while standing up or even moving around the room.

Bridge between every activity! Help the children through switching tasks. Help the children manage their energy level- don’t overstimulate! Be flexible. Change & adapt on the fly. If you’re losing them, do something else! Incorporate sign language if possible. Hints & Tips

Choosing & Adapting Stories Use large books, large-format flannel boards, puppets, & props. Choose stories with simple concepts, large text, and short lines. Select stories that can be interactive- the kids make sound effects, call out predictable words, etc. Choose stories that can be shortened or expanded depending on the kids’ attention.

Sing or chant, and have the group keep time by slapping their thighs (easier than clapping). Repetition & refrains are great. Shorten them if need be, but let the kids chime in! Mix up your formats- do one big book, one flannel or prop story, one pop-up, etc. Repeat a story across several storytimes, perhaps in different formats. Choosing & Adapting Stories

Games & Activities Plan games in which each child can participate to their own level and ability: Simple color- or shape-matching games. Hand pieces directly to each child. Copycat games like Simon Says & Monkey- See-Monkey-Do. Sensory games like parachute play or rhythm instruments.

Games to Avoid: Only some children can participate Complex rules Waiting for turns Winners and losers Being “out”

Take the “wigglers” out of other storytimes where they may be disruptive give them a time and place to participate successfully. Bring an underserved group into the Library (often for the first time). Support the school readiness of both typical and developmentally delayed toddlers. Benefits of Wiggle-Giggle Storytime

Integrate special-needs children & parents with their peers and community. Provide a non-clinical environment for Infants and Toddlers clients to recieve services. Infants & Toddlers staff become a resource for all parents (and librarians!) Identify additional children who are eligible for services Benefits of Wiggle-Giggle Storytime

It works! –Developmentally delayed toddlers have made great progress while attending storytime Benefits of Wiggle-Giggle Storytime

It works! –Developmentally delayed toddlers have made great progress while attending storytime –“Wiggly” toddlers have graduated successfully to Preschool Storytime. Benefits of Wiggle-Giggle Storytime

It works! –Developmentally delayed toddlers have made great progress while attending storytime –“Wiggly” toddlers have graduated successfully to Preschool Storytime. It’s FUN! Benefits of Wiggle-Giggle Storytime