Kindergarten Readiness Express
by withyourkids
“As it turns out, storytime—the library’s prime early language and literacy experience—is the perfect skill- building activity!” In fact, the experts are saying it helps children and parents get ready for kindergarten. Early childhood librarians, Renea Arnold and Nell Colburn wrote about these benefits of storytime in the September School Library Journal.
Children can develop many skills from storytime including social and emotional skills as well as cognitive thinking and physical development, and even math skills. All of this contributes to the child’s kindergarten readiness.
“Kindergarten teachers… want youngsters to demonstrate curiosity, persistence, and cooperation, and be able to communicate their needs, wants and thoughts verbally.” Arnold and Colburn report.
""During storytime we are constantly providing visual clues for overall themes," explains Laura Raynor, Youth Librarian "We are always asking questions or stopping mid-sentence to have listeners fill in the blanks. In this way, we inspire curiosity and continuous interaction."
Ann Arbor District Library has preschool storytimes for 2-5 year olds. Click here for times and days.
Stop in with your preschooler and see for yourself. "As the children and families sit together, they are involved in a group experience but each individual sees the story differently, which allows for imaginative freedom within a social activity," Raynor said.
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