How To Shake Up Storytime And Get Kids Talking About What They See

Storytime is an essential part of every child's development. It helps foster imagination, creativity, and language skills. However, many children passively listen during storytime, missing out on the opportunity to engage and discuss what they see. In this article, we will explore some techniques to shake up storytime and get children talking about the stories they hear and the illustrations they see.

1. Interactive Reading

Instead of just reading the story, encourage children to participate actively. Ask questions before, during, and after reading to spark their curiosity and encourage critical thinking. Encourage them to predict what might happen next or why a character made a particular choice. By involving them in the storytelling process, you can create a more immersive experience and stimulate discussion.

2. Visual Aids

Utilize visual aids to enhance comprehension and encourage conversation. Show pictures or illustrations from the story and invite children to describe what they see. Encourage them to point out details, colors, and emotions in the pictures. By incorporating visual elements, you can stimulate visual thinking and improve their communication skills.

Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake Up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See

by Megan Dowd Lambert(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	29334 KB
Print length	:	176 pages

FREE

3. Role-playing

Engage children in role-playing activities related to the story, allowing them to bring the characters and scenes to life. This interactive approach encourages creativity and boosts confidence. Children can take turns playing different roles and imagine alternative scenarios, fostering critical thinking and narrative development.

4. Outside Storytime

Take the storytime experience beyond the traditional setting. Organize outdoor storytime sessions in parks or gardens. The change of environment stimulates the senses and allows children to connect the story with their surroundings. Encourage them to observe nature, listen to sounds, and explore their environment while discussing how the story relates to their surroundings.

5. Collaborative Storytelling

Make storytime a collaborative experience by involving children in creating their stories. Begin with a simple sentence or prompt and pass it to each child, asking them to add a sentence to build a collective narrative. This activity not only sparks creativity but also encourages listening and communication skills.

6. Technology Integration

Embrace technology to enhance storytime engagement. Utilize interactive e-books or storytelling apps that offer additional features such as animations, sound effects, and interactive elements. These digital tools provide a multi-sensory experience that can captivate children's attention and generate discussions around the digital content.

7. Creative Extensions

Extend storytime activities beyond the reading experience. Encourage children to create their illustrations, write alternative endings, or even act out scenes from the story. These creative extensions allow them to further explore their imagination, think critically, and express their thoughts verbally or through different art forms.

8. Book Clubs

Form book clubs or reading groups with small groups of children. Assign a book to read together and encourage discussions during regular meetups. This approach not only enhances reading comprehension but also fosters social skills and encourages children to respect different opinions, listen actively, and articulate their thoughts.

9. Storytime Journal

Provide children with a dedicated journal to record their thoughts, feelings, and observations during storytime. Encourage them to draw pictures, write short summaries, or jot down questions they have while reading. This activity helps develop their writing skills, reflection capabilities, and encourages them to engage actively with the stories they encounter.

10. Storytime in the Community

Collaborate with local libraries, community centers, or schools to expand storytime engagement. Organize themed storytime events where children can connect with peers, participate in group activities, and share their favorite stories. These community-based initiatives provide a supportive environment for children to discuss their reading experiences openly.

By shaking up storytime and incorporating interactive elements, visual aids, role-playing, technology, and community engagement, we can empower children to actively engage and discuss what they see in stories. These techniques foster critical thinking, creativity, and language skills, ensuring that storytime becomes an engaging and transformative experience for every child.

Reading Picture Books with Children: How to Shake Up Storytime and Get Kids Talking about What They See

by Megan Dowd Lambert(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	29334 KB
Print length	:	176 pages

FREE

A new, interactive approach to storytime, The Whole Book Approach was developed in conjunction with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and expert author Megan Dowd Lambert's graduate work in children's literature at Simmons College, offering a practical guide for reshaping storytime and getting kids to think with their eyes.
 
Traditional storytime often offers a passive experience for kids, but the Whole Book approach asks the youngest of readers to ponder all aspects of a picture book and to use their critical thinking skills. Using classic examples, Megan asks kids to think about why the trim size of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline is so generous, or why the typeset in David Wiesner's Caldecott winner,The Three Pigs, appears to twist around the page, or why books like Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar are printed landscape instead of portrait. The dynamic discussions that result from this shared reading style range from the profound to the hilarious and will inspire adults to make children's responses to text, art, and design an essential part of storytime.