Cheerleading - and Waiting - for Early Literacy

Recently we shared an ALSC post from Tess Prendergast here at our YSS blog about ways to incorporate early literacy tips conversationally with caregivers. Shortly after that post published Lindsey Krabbenhoft at Jbrary weighted in with additional thoughts and ideas on this important work.

Lindsey writes: "First I’ll draw your attention to Why & How to Offer Supportive Early Literacy Messages by Tess Prendergast. I especially like how Tess stresses the “Supportive” part. She says, “For caregivers who do not yet know why kids need rich language and literacy experiences, early literacy tips should offer validation, support and encouragement, not judgment.” When I speak to other staff who offer storytimes a common concern I hear is that early literacy tips come off as preachy, judgmental, or didactic. To add to Tess’s advice, I try to think of it like I’m the early literacy cheerleader of storytime. Here to pump you up and congratulate you on spending this time with your little one in all the ways that support their communication."

To read her additional thoughts on how she uses OWL (observe, Wait, Listen) as a mdeling technique that can also be used in lieu of literacy messages. Great food for thought and practice!

Click here to read her full post and resources. [Being an Early Literacy Cheerleader in Storytime and the Power of Waiting Krabbenhoft, Lindsey. Jbrary blog. June 24, 2024.]

Happy Diaper Bag

Love this idea from the Keeping Up with the Kids: IFLS Blog!

From Brandon on Flickr (creative commons)

I was up in Rice Lake the other day.  When I went into the bathroom, I was pleased to see a friendly sign saying that there is a Happy Diaper Bag at the children's desk.  For caregivers who find that their child has blown through a diaper and they forgot to reload the bag.  For people who were just going to be in the library for a MINUTE so they left their diaper bag in the car and then...well...then...  For kids who are potty trained except when they get really, really engrossed in stories or play.

Even though my kids are teenagers (and beyond!) and I am not even close to needing the happy diaper bag anymore, this sign made me feel calmer.  It was so friendly, and made me remember how anxious it can make you to be the caregiver of a young child.  Taking away this element of stress is such a terrific idea!  And makes it seem like a normal, not-so-shameful occurrence, if the library is prepared to help everyone with it.

When I talked to Janine at the children's desk about it, she says they pretty much stock the Happy Diaper Bag with donations--parents bring in the left-over diapers at the end of the pack when their kid graduates to the next size, or bring in a few outgrown pairs of pants.  An easy way to make the library more welcoming (and better smelling!).

Perhaps You're Not Aware...

Save for after storytime, please. (pixabay)

Storytime is not social hour. Storytime is a great place to develop social skills in young children along with early literacy. Social skills can prove to be the most challenging aspect of storytime. It is usually not only children that librarians need to familiarize with good storytime behavior. Caregivers need a little help, too.

As we start planning the fall schedule, check out the advice below. I've been running storytime for years and found helpful tips and wording.

• Ask a Storytime Ninja on Storytime Underground has several columns on Managing Storytime Children and Managing Storytime Caregivers
• Born Librarian offer a few simple rules
• Picture clues from Miss Mary Liberry