BLAINE, Minn. – (Jan. 28, 2016) – A room full of two and three years old toddlers at the Johnsville Library was filled with music, dancing, and stories, as a part of their weekly storytime. “Storytime is for anyone, parents and caregivers with a pre-k child. We have specific ones for babies which require pre-registration, one for toddlers, and one we call family storytime which is kind of a catch all,” said community engagement librarian Patrick Jones. The library wants to get children interested in books and reading as early as possible to set them up for a lifetime of success.
“Because all of the research says when children are doing these things before they go to school the more likely to go to school ready to read. If they are ready to read at school they will not be falling behind,” said Jones. Six days a week at least one of the library branches hosts storytime. Reading and storytelling is a part of what the children experience, but it’s more than that.
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At every storytime they sing, read, play, talk and write. These five skills help a child become ready to read, but these skills can also teach parents different ways to help their child learn. “Librarians are modeling the behavior, here are the skills you need to learn to model with your children so this half hour we have with you can last all the hours back at home,” said Jones. Parents are encouraged to take their new skills home and continue to help their children learn. “You can model all the behavior, you can sing with your child, rhyming skills, teaching vocabulary,” said Jones.
Reading and rhyming with your children has benefits that extend beyond literacy and learning. It is also about bonding. “I think one of the most important things that people need to know is about the bonding, because it is a bonding experience between a parent/caregiver and a child and sharing book. I think one thing people need to know it’s about the experience of the child. Nobody should be standing over you going you have to get through all of these pages. What’s important is to give the child an opportunity to experience the book,” said Jones.
While the kids at the Johnsville were experience books, they also freely moved around the room, crawled in and out of their parents laps, and jumped around. More than a story, it’s giving kids a chance to experience learning with other children and with their parents. “It is fun, parents and caregivers love it, the kids love it especially when they are singing, dancing, and playing,” said Jones.
