<div dir="ltr"><i>I received so many wonderful responses to my storytime inquiry last week, that I wanted to share the results. Here they are and there is also a PDF attached to the email. A huge thanks to every who shared! I think I got everyone listed at the bottom. </i><br>
<br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Ideas for Storytime Troubleshooting </span></b></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Survey attendees to see if a different day and
time would work for a specific age group. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Simply tell caregivers that all ages are
welcome, but x storytime is designed for y age group. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Label the storytime based on what happens, not
on an age group. For example: "We will share songs, lap bounces, tickles,
1-2 short books, and information about how to make books a part of your regular
routine" or "We will share longer stories, flannel stories, and other
participatory activities that help kids practice focusing." (Thanks,
Rick!)</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Try different labels: lapbounce, music and
movement, sit and listen, etc. (More from Mr. Rick)</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Focus on two ages: 2-3 and 3-5, especially if a
"baby" storytime isn't drawing a crowd. </p>
<p class="" style="margin-left:1in"><span style="font-family:ZapfDingbats"><span style>«<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>MAKE
IT EASY: Use the same theme all week, but change the difficulty level for each
age group. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Helpful Tools/Tricks</span></b></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Use puppets; they reach a wide age range. Try to
give them specific characteristics or lines. (Create a friend!)</p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Bubbles at the end of storytime are great for
many ages. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>BE FLEXIBLE. Even if 9/10 times you have x age
range, have backup stories for younger/older as applicable. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Remember that every community is unique, and
that what works for x may not work for y. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Consider adding K-3 Storytime in the summer. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Let the parents know that if children get
restless or fussy, they are very welcome to play in the children's area/away
from the story area with parental supervision, and that this is okay! A 1 or 2
year old will not have the attention span of a 4 year old. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Crafts are about the process, NOT the product.
Provide materials and an idea, but the kids to what they want with the media.
Parents should not have to provide much assistance (if any). </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Handouts, Handouts, Handouts – Describe,
explain, entice, and write the rules down. </p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Include information on early literacy at all
storytimes. </p>
<p class="" style="margin-left:1in"><span style="font-family:ZapfDingbats"><span style>«<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Favorite
term: Emergent Reader</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Likely Issues that may or may not
have a solution…</span></b></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Parents want a one-stop-shop storytime for
multiple ages.<span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"></span></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Parents may think that children are more
advanced than they are, or not know what level their kids are or should be at
all. Traditional "Baby, Toddler, PreK" may not be the best way to
sell a storytime to a given community. <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"></span></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Unrealistic expectations are not uncommon.
Gently educate and adjust expectations over time. <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%">Resources</span></b></p>
<p class="" style><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Cambria","serif""><span style>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><a href="http://storytimeunderground.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">http://storytimeunderground.wordpress.com/</span></a><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:115%"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style><span style>"One
of the most important things I've learned over the years is to keep smiling,
and to remember, to quote Pete the Cat, that it's all good. (Did Pete cry?
Goodness no!) I enforce my very few rules and explain my expectations with a
smile and sense of humor (sometimes through gritted teeth), and most parents
and kids eventually learn." - Sara</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%">Contributors (THANK YOU!)</span></b></p>
<span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Karen Fischer <br>
Kimbre Chapman<br>
Rick Samuelson <br>
Denise Willms<br>
Sara Simpkins<br>
Becky Pearson<br style>
<br style>
</span><br><br clear="all"><div><div><br>-- <br><div dir="ltr"><span><font color="#888888"><div dir="ltr"><font color="#444444"><font face="georgia, serif">Taylor Worley</font> |</font><font color="#444444" size="1" face="georgia, serif"><font face="garamond, serif"> </font>Youth & Community Services Librarian,
Creswell Library</font>
<div><font color="#444444" size="1" face="georgia, serif">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></div>
<div><font color="#999999" size="1" face="georgia, serif"><i>"Always remember you're braver than
you believe, and stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think." - A. A. Milne</i></font></div>
</div></font></span></div>
</div></div></div>