Comments on: The Dos and Don'ts of Story Time (Tips from a Volunteer)

By: Jackie Hourani

Jackie Hourani — Tue, 25 May 2021 01:43:05 +0000

Thank you very much for your "DOS AND DON'TS OF STORY TIME (TIPS FROM A VOLUNTEER)'. What used to be down right manners has to be spelled out now. Respect starts at home. Children learn from their parents first, not the teacher. Thank you!

By: Val

Val — Mon, 24 May 2021 17:11:18 +0000

In reply to Erica MomandKiddo. From a volunteer—I agree completely. Wandering is fine, but siblings who fight at home should not be allowed to use story time stuffed toys or manipulables to hit one another during story time even though it is ok at home. It sets behavior patterns for every other child in the group. Suddenly chaos reins!

By: Brenda Mann

Brenda Mann — Mon, 15 May 2017 20:20:16 +0000

WONDERFUL article. I am sharing this with all the librarians I will have on a webinar about Storytime and Early Childhood Disorders. I am suggesting they print out this article and have it available for any parents/caregivers who attend storytime.

By: Krystal Speed

Krystal Speed — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 04:52:48 +0000

As the Children's Director at my church, I am designing a monthly Bible story time for our community. Great tips that I plan to incorporate!

By: Valetta Cannon

Valetta Cannon — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 20:25:31 +0000

Really love these suggestions, but funny you should say no to snacks. I actually started a tradition my predecessors never have at this library. As the new children's librarian (I started last July), I brainstormed about what additions/changes might bring in more kids, and came up with snacks. Most weeks, I surf Pinterest and the web and find both a craft (sometimes 2) and a snack that fit my story time theme. I have also gotten a lot of success out of expanding the age limits to include everyone, and have babies through teenagers show up sometimes. Not OK for everyone, but works great for me. The room we are in works fine for snacks - it did have old, already stained carpet, and will soon have tile, so no worries about messes, but only rarely do I include drinks, and if so, usually we do mini water bottles. A final suggestion I would like to throw out there - nearly a year ago I came up with the idea of having a "Favorites" theme for story time. The kids and parent often give me theme suggestions based on favorite interests, animals, etc. and I plan some of my story times using those themes. When I use a child's theme, I recognize them by first name, both on the Facebook Story Time event page ("Come learn about Eve's favorite theme, Horses"), and in the actual story time's introduction. Two more fun things we like to do - I write down my regulars' birthdays and keep a stock of birthday hats on hand. We sing to the child and write their name on a hat if they show up to the story time nearest their birthday. Also, we have a welcome song we sing every week to start story time. It helps kids grasp onto something constant and familiar, and get comfortable more quickly.

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 09:11:03 +0000

In reply to ChristyM. Good tip!

By: ChristyM

ChristyM — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:16:22 +0000

I would add, if you are having trouble finding story times, walk into the library and ask for a paper copy of the schedule. Often they aren't listed on-line.

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 15:00:03 +0000

In reply to Susan Stephenson. Yes, I find most parents are good about removing a really disruptive child. Good tips about flexibility. So important when there are kids involved.

By: Susan Stephenson

Susan Stephenson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 23:48:36 +0000

As a Storytime at the Library volunteer, I really appreciate when a parent removes a screaming child. It distresses the other kids and makes the read-aloud almost impossible, so I am relieved when parents do this. It's only happened twice and the second time, Mum gave an ultimatum and kept to it. So it was quick, we tied a knot and moved on. I also love when my parents join in - we do lots of physical activity and the kids love when parents stamp, clap and shake their tail feathers too.

My key is probably book choice and flexibility. The second part comes in when I choose a wonderful book but that day is mostly toddlers and the particular book won't work for them. I always have spare books prepared just in case!

By: Erica MomandKiddo

Erica MomandKiddo — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 21:48:41 +0000

In reply to :Donna. Well the flip side is that I don't want parents to feel they can't come to story time just because their kids will not sit still for 30 minutes. I have two children who never sat for story time and I was fortunate that we were still welcome.