Storytime Sessions
Combining traditional storytelling with interactive fun has proved to
be a winning formula for engaging parents at Marsham Street
Children’s Centre in London. Glynis Mates, Early Years practitioner
at the centre, explains how they have been encouraging family
involvement in reading activities through the introduction of
Storytime Sessions.
We are always looking for ways to engage parents and carers in our reading
activities, and decided to trial a storytelling programme to see if it would create
any interest. Storytime Sessions ran on a weekly basis for seven weeks, and
were aimed at families with children aged two to five years old, (although
younger children also attended). We welcomed all generations and
caregivers; not just parents, but also grandparents, aunties, older siblings and
childminders.
Storytime Sessions were led by myself and the
Qualified Teacher at the centre. Each week we
read aloud a traditional tale, such as Goldilocks,
Three Little Pigs and The Gingerbread Man,
and used puppets as a visual aid to support the
storytelling (the Big Bad Wolf was a particular
favourite with both adults and children!).
This was followed by an activity related to the
story in which the child and parent or carer could
work together. The children were then invited
to re-tell the story using masks and props,
and the sessions concluded with an action song
linked to the story of that week.
Getting a closer look at the some
of the puppets
During the final session we made story boxes of each child’s favourite story,
which they could then take home.
We were thrilled with the response from all involved. The children had a
fantastic time, and the feedback from parents has been really positive. They
enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, and commented that they appreciated the
“chance to learn more about language, storytelling and songs”. One parent
even declared that it was “the best Children’s Centre activity I’ve ever
attended”!
As well as being fun, the Storytime Sessions have also left a legacy. In a letter
to the Children’s Centre, one mum told us that the story box she and her son
had made at the final session was used at home each week by herself and
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her husband to create stories with small puppets and other toys, and she felt
that his imagination and concentration had really benefited from these
activities.
I believe that what made these sessions so successful were the activities
relating to the story, as they gave way to lots of communication and social
interaction between parents and carers and the children. The activities ranged
from making gingerbread to fruit printing to group collages, and gave the
parents a great opportunity to work with their children, talking to them about
the story and helping them to develop new skills. As most of our families live
in flats, space is often too limited to do these sorts of activities.
Fruit printing for Little Red Riding Hood
Story time Sessions went way beyond our expectations and, due to popular
demand, we have recently begun a new series. Rather than using traditional
tales, this time we have chosen some more modern favourites, such
Whatever Next! By Jill Murphy and Owl Babies by Martin Waddell. The format
of the sessions will remain the same but, in response to feedback from the
parents, the start time will be slightly later. We hope that this series will be just
as popular, and that we continue to help parents see just how much you can
get from a story!
Copyright © National Literacy Trust (Storytime Sessions).
Top tips for running a successful Story time Session
•
Choose your stories in plenty of time to buy, make or find
resources.
•
Think about what activity and songs can relate to the theme of the
story.
•
Run through the story with the puppets at least once before
session.
•
When session has finished make up your own story bag with all the
resources and props for later use.
•
Always be on the lookout in charity shops for soft toys/puppets that
can link with a story.
•
If you are having the sessions after school/nursery have a 15
minute snack time for the children and refreshments for the adults.
This allows time for families to arrive and is appreciated by the
parents and enjoyed by the children, as well as an opportunity to
promote healthy snacks and drinks.
•
Most of all have fun; if the families see you enjoying it then so
will they.
Copyright © National Literacy Trust (Storytime Sessions).