KINDERGARTEN READINESS STORYTIMES Megan Stith Meade County Public

KINDERGARTEN READINESS STORYTIMES Megan Stith Meade County Public Library Kentucky Public Library Association 2011 Annual Conference

TODAY’S PRESENTATION Starting your own kindergarten readiness program Program plans Storytimes for new librarians Helpful resources Take-homes

CREATING YOUR STORYTIME No standard program that fits all libraries Know your community Listen to patrons Marketing what you’re already doing Standalone program (Kindergarten 101) or periodic focus

WHY KINDERGARTEN READINESS IS IMPORTANT? Children who read or are read to become better readers (Allington, 2006; Krashen, 2004; Ross, Mc. Kechnie, & Rothbauer, 2006). “There is a 90% probability that a child will remain a poor reader at the end of the fourth grade if the child is a poor reader at the end of the first grade. Therefore, children who start school behind typically stay behind (Mac. Lean, 2008). ” Library storytimes provide encouragement, access, and time for reading (de. Groot & Branch, 2009).

SOURCES FOR KINDERGARTEN READINESS SKILLS Community partnerships: � Kindergarten teachers � Board of Education � Daycare providers Countdown to Kindergarten (Boston Public Schools) � http: //www. countdowntokindergarten. org � Fun By the Month activities, free printables

MATH READINESS Identify the eight basic colors. Count out loud to ten. Count a set of objects to five. Sorts objects. Recognizes and extends simple patterns. Recognizes shapes. Compares sizes and sets of objects.

LITERACY READINESS Write his/her first name. Know full name. Sing or say the Alphabet Song. Recognize at least thirteen letters of the alphabet (Any 13). Printing first name. Recognizes beginning and ending sounds of words. Produces rhyming words.

MOTOR AND SOCIAL SKILLS Cut on a straight line. Color within the lines. Use glue and paint. Zip and button pants without adult assistance. Put on and take off coat without adult assistance. Self-sufficient in all toileting responsibilities. Tie shoes. Listening to a story. Sharing and cleaning up toys. Walk in a line.

STORYTIME PROGRAM Independent time for preschoolers Rituals similar to circle time � Rhyme dice (phonological awareness, rhyming words) � Alphabet song/letter of the day (letter knowledge, beginning sounds, rhyming) � Calendar (counting, numbers) Themes: skill based or topic based Setting standards

SPECIAL EVENTS School bus visit Kindergarten teacher meet and greet Storytime graduation 50 Books to Read Before Kindergarten Challenge Storytime for adults � Best books for kids � How to select books � Giving gift books � New releases/Previews

BASIC PROGRAM STRUCTURE Circle time: � Welcome song � Rhyme dice � Alphabet song � Calendar � Musical instruments Story time Craft � Process over product � Use a variety of materials Creative playtime Closing song

WHY GO BEYOND BOOKS? “Children have further opportunities to improve comprehension skills, accelerate language development, and evoke creativity through extension activities, such as art, drawing, and cooking; large motor activities, such as dancing, parachute games, and obstacle courses; and fine motor activities, such as threading and lacing. ” -Cahill, 2004, p. 61 “Executive function has a number of elements, such as working memory and cognitive flexibility. But perhaps the most important is self-regulation — the ability for kids to control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control and discipline…Poor executive function is associated with high dropout rates, drug use and crime. In fact, good executive function is a better predictor of success in school than a child's IQ. ” -Spiegel, 2008

SAMPLE PROGRAM: FOOD Storytime: Eating the Alphabet (letters), The Doorbell Rang (numbers), Gregory the Terrible Eater (types of food), The Very Hungry Caterpillar (days of the week) Craft: pasta and cereal necklaces (fine motor skills) Playtime: kitchen and food toys, grocery store, restaurant, sort food

SAMPLE PROGRAM: BEHAVIOR Storytime: No, David!, Curious George, I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More Craft: Watercolor splatter paintings Playtime: Sort mixed up objects

SAMPLE PROGRAM: ZOO Storytime: Color Zoo (colors), My Heart is Like a Zoo (shapes), 1 Zany Zoo (numbers) Craft: Use cut shapes to make their own animals Playtime: Animal masks, veterinarian

SAMPLE PROGRAM: GARDENING Storytime: Count on Pablo (numbers), Planting a Rainbow (colors), Garden of Opposites (opposites) Craft: Make sweet potato people Playtime: Seed viewer, observe as they grow

SAMPLE PROGRAM: SAFETY Storytime: No Dragons for Tea, Emergency, Officer Buckle and Gloria Craft: Phone number magnet Playtime: Practice dialing phones, rehearse 911 calls, dial a phone with your feet

SAMPLE PROGRAM: COMMUNITY HELPERS Storytime: Millie Waits for the Mail, Guess Who, I Stink (alphabet), Trashy Town Craft: Recycled artwork Playtime: Match the mail, sort recycling

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS “Report card” of the day’s program Short video at pick-up time Take-home activities Bibliographies or a special school readiness section

STORYTIME TIPS FOR NEW LIBRARIANS Working with a limited collection � Repeat favorites � Use AV materials � Online books Know your population Visit other libraries Offer to co-present

STORYTIME DON’TS… � Be afraid to go beyond books � Rush the pictures � Simplify the vocabulary � Barrel through the story without interacting � Forget the goals of your program and your library � Try to do something unprepared � Be opposed to change and spontaneity � Be afraid to act silly! � Any advice you’d like to share?

GETTING IDEAS AND STAYING ORGANIZED Using blogs � Google Reader Listservs � KYAC � PUBYAC � KITLIT/CHILDLIT Making your plans available � Blog � Facebook page

PLANNING TOOLS Everything Preschool http: //www. everythingpreschool. com � Letter-based themes Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California http: //www. bayviews. org/storytime/ Sur. La. Lune Storytimes: http: //www. surlalunefairytales. com/storytime/index. html Storytime Katie: http: //storytimekatie. wordpress. com/ Awesome Storytime: http: //awesomestorytime. wordpress. com/ Enterprise Library Storytime: http: //storytimeinenterprise. blogspot. com/ Constructive Playthings � Educational toys