Dealing With Large Groups

In my last storytime wrap up, I asked for tips of what you do to help wrangle in some of the larger, wilder storytime groups. After looking around and picking the brains of some of my colleagues, I've come up with some suggestions for those of you who are at a loss.

Create a storytime atmosphere that is more condusive to a presentation or show than a circle time.
Some storytellers use PowerPoint presentations (something I'll be posting about later this week) while others set up mini stages for themselves. The use of these props sets the tone that those in attendance are an audience. While it changes the dynamic of the program, the use of a microphone (if needed) or other "unconventional" storytime equipment can help to make sure that every one in attendance has the option to pay attention over the noise of a large group.

Provide toys to play with throughout the program.
For my baby time, I lay out a parachute and then place soft blocks, balls and other toys on it. The kids are free to crawl around and play with them while we sing, read and learn. This time spent interacting with other children and their parents is still important to their devlopment.

Adapt your program.
If you realize that the storytime has gotten out of hand and you've lost their attention, fall back on prepared free-for-all activities or games instead. This can stifle any fussiness and, again, encourages interaction with other children.

Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Letter Knowledge and Print Awareness

This post will be part one of my discussion on literacy skills. Today, we'll cover the last three after we covered the first three yesterday.

Print Motivation:
What is it?
Children who have print motivation like being read to and enjoy books. They may also pretend to write, ask to be read to and enjoy trips to get new books.
How can you help?
One of the simplest ways to encourage this literacy skill is to make reading time a special time through music, activities or a special spot. Make sure that books are easy for children to access and show them that you, too, enjoy reading. It also helps to make examples of reading and writing in everyday life to demonstrate how important it is.

Letter Knowledge:
What is it?
Knowing that letters have different names and different sounds is the foundation of letter knowledge. During storytime, we practice letter knowledge with the letter of the day.
How can you help?
Reading and writing activities can both help with letter knowledge. Pointing out and naming the letters in various applications including books or signs will also increase your child's letter knowledge. For younger kids, drawing the letters or talking about shapes will help them.

Print Awareness:
What is it?
Print awareness teaches children the rules of English such as the directions that we read in (top to bottom, left to right). Being able to point to words on the page on command is an example of print awareness.
How can you help?
Asking your child to point out and discuss the words in books or on signs is a great way to work on print awareness. This will also be a game they are familiar with from when they accomplished letter knowledge.

Literacy Skills: Narrative Skills, Vocabulary and Phonological Awareness

This post will be part one of my discussion on literacy skills. Today, we'll cover three and then we'll cover the last three tomorrow.

Vocabulary:
What is it?
This one is pretty simple. Knowing the names of things is a great skill when children are first learning to read. They can use the pictures as clues but, if they don't know what the picture is of, they'll struggle with the words on the page.
How can you help?
Building vocabulary can be as simple as talking to your child about the things they see around them and reading the books, both fiction and nonfiction.

Narrative Skills:
What is it?
Narrative skills is the ability to describe things and also understand and tell stories. This skill will ultimately help them learn how to read and enhance their conversation skills. Beginning narrative skills show themselves when a child is able to tell about an activity at school or relate a story about going to the store.
How can you help?
There are a few ways to encourage this literacy skill. Ask your child to tell you about the story they just read instead of having them passively sit while you read the story. Having your child relate stories that have a sequence to them will also enhance this skill.

Phonological Awareness:
What is it?
Hearing and manipulating the sounds in words is called phonological awareness. This includes the ability to hear and make rhymes, say words with certain sounds left out or put two sounds together to make a word. Trouble with this skill is where most trouble reading tends to surface.
How can you help?
Words games are a great way to help your child with this skill. Some examples include making up silly words or saying words with a pause in between ("tr" and "uck").