Storytime is a program where a children’s librarian reads books to children, featuring songs, games, puppets, and crafts. It fosters literacy and imagination, and develops skills. Libraries and bookstores host storytimes for different age groups, with themed books and crafts. Storytime promotes a love of books and libraries as places of discovery and enjoyment.
A storytime is a program in which a children’s librarian reads books to children. The program often features simple songs, finger games, puppets and handicrafts. A parent takes the children on the designated day to the public library so they can participate in the program. Story times foster literacy and a love of books. Over time, children come to associate the library with exciting activities.
When parents bring their children to stories, they essentially introduce children to language and reading. The goal of each storytime is to get children interested in books and to help inspire their imagination. Children develop a variety of useful tools, including phonological awareness, listening skills, and fine motor skills.
Most libraries host a storytime at least once a week. Others provide different weekly programs for a variety of ages. For example, typical storytime programs include a balap-sit, a preschool program, and a school-age program.
Balap-sit programs are aimed at infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Simple cardboard books are used as a basic introduction to the stories. Children sit on their caregivers’ lap while the librarian reads them short, sturdy books, sings songs, and interacts with them in a kind way.
Preschool programs are for older children between the ages of three and five who can sit and listen to short picture books, participate in activities, and sing simple songs. The children’s librarian will often give them a basic theme-based craft at the story’s conclusion.
School-age programs are library events that usually take place in the evening. Families with children of all ages are invited to these story moments where the librarian can choose to read more complex picture books or selections from a children’s chapter book. The librarian may also choose to have a school-age program that does not allow younger children to participate.
Local bookstores can host storytimes for their customers. They could also invite children’s authors to read their books during the program, followed by an autograph event. Libraries also often include a simple craft at the conclusion of these programs.
When a children’s librarian plans a story, she must decide which books to read at the event. She must keep the age of her audience in mind, avoiding long books if her listeners are preschoolers or younger. Most children’s librarians like to follow monthly and weekly themes to make story planning easier.
In the spring, a librarian can plan stories centered around rabbits and flowers. In winter, she can make up stories with winter holidays, snowmen, toys and gingerbread men. Programs for older children may revolve around Caldecott Medal winners or specific children’s book authors.
Visiting any public library or traditional bookstore will allow book lovers to locate a schedule for their children. Storytimes are educational programs that provide entertainment for young people of all ages. They promote language and literacy skills in children. They foster a love of books and help children understand that libraries are places that encourage discovery and enjoyment.
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