Getting Back on Track in Storytime
Leah Langby
February 13, 2013
Keeping Up With Kids
storytime

What do you do when your terrific storytime starts to devolve into a distracted, wiggly mass of kids?  I’m serious, I’d love to hear some of your suggestions.  Here are a few I used to use:

  • Don’t be afraid to abort a mission to read a book if it isn’t working
  • Do have a few fail-proof fingerplays or songs that help kids get re-engaged, and give them a chance to organize their bodies and minds
  • Up the energy of your own presentation
  • Have a secret signal for letting the kids know it’s time to quiet down
  • Don’t take it personally and keep your sense of humor!

I found a great post on the ALSC blog recently about this.  The author, Katie Lawson, had some terrific ideas to share, including a magic storytime wand, magic storytime dust, a kazoo (for grabbing attention), and having some books, songs, and fingerplays that allow for some organized wiggling.  I highly recommend checking it out!

What is your fail-safe plan for the wiggles?

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