Story Time at the Library (or My Best Tips for Reading with Children)

Almost every weekend that I'm in Barbados, I am at the Speightstown branch of the Barbados National Library Service, as a volunteer. I provide reading and related activities to the children.

On weekends when I am not there, other volunteers, graciously organized by the Barbados Virtual Roaring Lions Club, step in. We have had sessions on traditional Bajan kites, culture and history, movement and dance, and ALWAYS we have stories.

And this is about stories. This is about how stories can engage children's minds boosting literacy, curiosity, creativity and a host of other skills. Each week we try to create themes around a book or books--generally reading two stories per week. We then research and locate activity pages or colouring pages that suit the theme. If we do it right we have something for a wide range of ages as we tend to have Story Timers ranging in age from 3 to 14 some weeks.

And some weeks? It's an extra day at the library for a school visit. Or some teenagers who were tasked with bringing a younger cousin or sibling, so we need to find ways to engage them as well.

But stories are how we communicate, learn and grow as humans and as a community. Below you will find some of my tips on reading with your children!

#1: Get Comfortable!
If we have several kids, it's useful to be able to sit on a chair higher than the children which better enables them to all see the pictures. Really large groups we might use chairs instead of the mat, but honestly? The mat creates a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. We are also fortunate that we have some fun stuffed toys and cushions the kids can bring to the mat to get comfortable as seen in the photo on the right where we all stretched out where we could see the book. This works well with slightly smaller groups.
#2: Practice Reading Sideways or Upsidedown!
With a group, you won't always be snuggled in with the person you're reading to as there are too many of them so you will need to develop skills like reading upside down so they can enjoy the pictures. Depending on the resources available, you might be able to put the pictures and story on the TV screen using a smart TV and logging into Kindle or another eReader program so you can sit on the floor with the kids and read the book while looking straight at it.
#3: DO THE VOICES!!!
I shouted this one because, to me, this is the most important. Voice modulation when reading helps engage children whose attention may wander. If the character in the book whispers--lower your voice. If the character in the book cries--add some fake sobbing or sniffles. If the bad guy (or gal) is speaking--create a sinister voice. Play with accents. Practice when the kids aren't around. You'll find story time goes much smoother and gets a broader response from this.
#4: Pick Stories Appropriate for the Age Range
Smaller children like rhyming stories with lots of repetition or sound effects they can add in and join along. Older children may appreciate stories based on history or something they are studying, but in a fun way like a mystery or an adventure. And of course, if it's bedtime and not mid day, pick quieter books that will help settle the little ones down.
#5: Be Prepared for Questions and Don't Discourage Kids
We can remind children to put their hand up or wait for a pause instead of interrupting, but do not ignore a valid question. If it's a doozy and you need time to formulate an answer say, "Let's look that up on Google when we finish the story, okay?" And it's perfectly okay to admit you don't have an answer but will look for one. That's what libraries are for after all!
#6: Enjoy Yourself and Put Yourself in Their Shoes
It may embarrass a Very Patient Dave when I say I identify as a five-year-old, but it comes in very handing when figuring out how the children you are reading to  think.
#7: Extra Activities
It's not hard to find colouring pages to download from various sites like this one (Look under the "Fun Stuff" heading) or sites like https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages and more. Younger kids love the colouring pages, and older kids are often engaged as well, finding it relaxing. 
You can also find alternate activities for older kids like word search puzzles, crossword puzzles, hidden pictures, or fact sheets.

I usually look for something on theme with the book that I'll be reading, and then expand for active games that coincide like action songs like "Five Little Speckled Frogs" for a story at a pond, or "Going on a Bear Hunt" for a story with bears in it. 
#8: Active Games
These don't have to be high tech or expensive. Kids at our library love a little "Floor is Lava" or "Musical Chairs", but we have also done a number of easy games and challenges with balloons like races, and balloon basketball.
​#9: Return the Love
Group hugs are the best! Owies need attention! Story Time is Love in a Book!

Kids from Sharon Primary School in Barbados have a library visit for stories with award-winning author Ruth Amanda facilitated by the Speightstown Branch of the Barbados National Library Service