Thursday, September 17, 2009

More than just a good time!

Story time is more than just having a good time at the library. Story time is the library's version of early skill-building, kindergarten preparation that many preschools teach. To enter kindergarten, ready to learn, children need pre-reading skills such as, cognitive thinking,behavioral management, expressive language, phonological awareness and print knowledge. They need fine and gross motor skill development. Youngsters learn to follow simple directions in a simple group game, such as the Hokey Pokey or make predictions and comments about a story at story time programs. When preschoolers interact with the storyteller and follow the movements to Eric Carle's From Head to Toe or sing If Your Happy and You Know It or follow the finger play Open and Shut Them they are forming new approaches to learning. Each time a story includes activities that help strengthen particular skills these new approaches to learning are fostered and strengthened. Story time also introduces children to functioning in a group, without parent interaction.
Parents are also helped by story time, as they watch reading, telling and active play they can learn effective patterns and model their own story telling to help teach their children critical skills. When parents participate in story time it sends a strong message to children that what they are doing is important to Mom and Dad too.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important factors of kindergarten readiness is a child's eagerness to learn. Having fun is an important part of the learning process and what is more fun than library story time?

Michele, Children's Librarian

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay, I'm convinced! So when will there be one? I haven't seen anything about one being scheduled.

Brigham City Carnegie Library said...

We currently have 4 sessions going, 2 classes of 2-3 year olds and 2 classes of 3-5 year olds, we also have a drop in session on Wednesday at 12:30 and Thursday at 12:30. Classes are full but you may attended the drop in sessions anytime.