Transforming Preschool Storytime

Here is a new approach to storytime that incorporates more recent theories on developmental learning and research on how children's brains work. According to this research, the best way to make new connections in the brain is by building on something already known. A child who loves a book will listen to it repeatedly, maintaining interest. Using a selected book in a number of consecutive preschool storytimes, but presenting it differently each time can help children learn new skill sets. Employing repetition with variety expands the story experience, helping children to connect and engage with the story on a higher level through activities specifically designed to address multiple intelligences. The experience a child has with that book then becomes much richer. Diamant-Cohen encourages a repetition-based process that maximizes children's benefits by exploring the same story with a variety of accompaniments. She includes a template for six sessions of repetition and presents scripts for 10 different books. A list in each chapter's conclusion contains optional alternative selections. Planning aids such as a book list, a fill-in-the-blanks planning sheet, questions for evaluation and outlines of storytime sessions make your job easier. Detailed explanations of theory and research said in plain English that include real-world, practical examples help you explain changes to parents and administrators. From setup to execution, here's everything you need to create and implement a successful, elevated storytime.