Since my first post, there have been SO many great readings. Today, I will discuss chapter 8, as well as the required articles, and videos. Additionally, I will give my thoughts about them.
Videos
Let's begin with some of the Cocky Reading Express videos. I will add the videos below. First, I have to say I had Valerie Byrd Fort as an instructor for Children's Literature and she is AMAZING!!! She makes any book exciting with her voices and enthusiasm and I absolutely love hearing her read. Also, the fact that she kept reading despite her child in the background is a testament to her skills. I know that had to be challenging. We have all been there. 😉
Valerie Byrd Fort
The other videos include readings by Dean Reichert, Christine Shelek, and Callie Smith. Each storyteller does a wonderful job engaging their audience. I also love that Cocky is telling the story with his movements and hand gestures! So much fun!
Dean Reichert
Christine Shelek
Callie Smith
Articles
The article Using Storytime to Teach Informational Skills really spoke to me. As a teacher and parent, I know the benefits of reading to children, but unfortunately not all parents know how important it is. I love this article because it gives tips, strategies, and recommendations for storytelling and the impact it makes on children.
Next, we read, We've been offering it for Years, but Why Do they Come-The Reasons Why Adults Bring Young Children to Public Library Storytimes by Maria Cahill, Soohyung Joo, Mary Howard and Suzanne Walker. This article analyzed why adults bring their children to public storytimes. I found the findings to be interesting. I was surprised that most adults do not bring their children for learning experiences and school readiness, but many adults bring them because they want their children to socialize and hear stories and participate in activities. Also, they are free. Although I thought more adults would be coming for educational reasons, it is more important that there is participation regardless of the reason for attending. This however, may impact the way librarians look to advertise storytime to their community.
The article, Sharing the Secret Sauce
Engaging Early Childhood Educators in Library Storytime Practiceswas an inspiring one. This article described how a local librarian and early literacy trainer partnered with a local preschool and to grow the home, school, and library connection and help children become more prepared for school. This seems like an amazing partnership and I absolutely love this idea! I have included a link below from First Steps South Carolina that describes why school readiness is important and some SC statistics. I hope you all check it out!
Finally, we all read about Drag Queen Storytime. I found this article exceptionally interesting. I had never heard of this program before this article, but was not surprised to find out it is controversial. It was established in 2015 and has not reached many libraries. The study suggests that librarians participate if it fits the community they serve. I have included an amazing video that tells more about this program and the challenges it has faced. I encourage everyone to watch it. Seeing the joy this program has given to so many children brought me to tears.
The Drag Queens Reading To Kids in Libraries | them.
Chapter 8
This chapter discuss' storytelling to young children. It tells about brain development in infants and the effects reading has from birth to age six. A major advantage being their vocabulary. There are recommendations for librarians to be involved in the literacy process and information on the 6 early literacy skills.
1. Print Motivation- A child's interest in books.
2. Phonological Awareness- the sounds you hear in words.
3. Vocabulary-being able to name things.
4. Narrative Skills-Being able to tell about things. (Stories and Events)
5. Print Awareness-How to handle a book and directionality.
6. Letter Knowledge-Names and sounds of letters.
Knowing now that children benefit greatly from reading at young age, there are more programs like library storytimes and literature sharing programs. Additionally the book includes some great finger plays to do with babies. I have included a link below to the Santa Clarita Library's Storytime Fingerplays.
Finally, the chapter goes on to discuss toddler storytime and Preschool storytime. The book explains that toddler stories need to have rhythm, rhyme, and be interactive. Mother Goose stories would be a great fit for toddlers.
Preschool stories should include picture books and reading aloud. This could be their first introduction to literature. Young children enjoy being told the same story numerous times. Keep this in mind and feel free to add new additions like flannel boards and puppets. I included a DIY to make your own cost effective flannel board. :)
References
Barriage, S., Floegel, D., Kitzie, V., & Oltmann, S. (2021). Drag Queen Storytimes. Children and Libraries, (Summer 2021).
Cahill, M., Joo, S., Howard, M., & Walker, S. (2020). We’ve been offering it for years, but why do they come? the reasons why adults bring young children to public library storytimes. Libri, 70(4), 335–344. https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2020-0047
Greene, E., & Negro, J. D. (2010). Storytelling: Art and technique (4th ed.). Libraries Unlimited.
Marcus, I. (2002). Using Storytime to Teach Informational Skills. Liberty Talk, (September/October 2002).
Romero, L., & Armstrong, L. A. (2017). Sharing the secret sauce: Engaging early childhood educators in library storytime practices. Children and Libraries, 15(4), 8–11. https://doi.org/10.5860/cal.15.4.8
Scheffler, A. (2007) Mother Goose's Storytime Nursery Rhymes Scholastic Inc.
This was a great and thorough summary and overview of the assigned resources, as well as including some interesting reflections. Personally I find that social and community bonding activities are just as educational as school readiness and that those are learning experiences that actually contribute to school readiness in significant ways. Perhaps you didn't mean it to come across as negative but the phrasing does make it seem like you find these motives to be somehow lesser than more traditionally academic ones.
This was a great and thorough summary and overview of the assigned resources, as well as including some interesting reflections. Personally I find that social and community bonding activities are just as educational as school readiness and that those are learning experiences that actually contribute to school readiness in significant ways. Perhaps you didn't mean it to come across as negative but the phrasing does make it seem like you find these motives to be somehow lesser than more traditionally academic ones.
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