Toddler Storytime Introduction Kit

Toddler Storytime is an excellent opportunity for parents/caregivers to understand the importance of books, reading, talking, singing, writing, and playing with their toddlers. This storytime is about the interaction of the toddler, caregiver, music, and books, as well as that caregivers are their child’s first and best teacher. The librarian is a guide, showing the caregivers how to involve toddlers with books and early literacy activities and encourage reading as a fun, enjoyable activity. It’s also an opportunity to model and directly explain to caregivers what types of books are best for toddlers.

Toddler storytimes also are a great way to complement early literacy summer reading and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programs. It’s easy to promote summer reading and 1,000 Books programs at your storytimes and it’s a good way for caregivers to come to the library regularly.

Toddlers, of course, also benefit directly: they become comfortable in the library, hear great books and songs, bond with their caregivers, and are part of the larger community.

Who is the Intro kit for?

This kit is especially for library staff that are new to offering storytimes specifically for toddlers; it can also be a helpful introduction for libraries that have never offered such a storytime. The guide includes an overview of early literacy, language development in young children, and easy activities that library staff and caregivers can all do with babies to help them develop the language and early literacy skills they’ll need to begin to read when they reach kindergarten.

Toddler storytimes are often offered to children ages 24 through 48 months, though some libraries offer it for kids ages 18 through 36 months. This kit can be used for either age grouping, so you can choose whichever will work better for your library and community.

Older and younger siblings may attend your toddler storytime along with their toddler brothers and sisters; if this happens, you may want to have books, toys and manipulatives appropriate for preschoolers and babies available in your storytime space.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerreld
Roll, Roll Little Pea by Cecile Bergame
A Day in the Sun by Diana Ejaita
Where is Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek (Large format)
What Will Hatch? By Jennifer Ward
The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hortle
Clean-Up Time/ Momento de arreglar by Elizabeth Verdick
Bye-Bye Time / Momento de la despedida by Elizabeth Verdick
Shapes by DK Braille
Dancing Feet by Lindsey Craig
Nursery Rhymes, Songs and Fingerplays booklet
Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Díaz
CD: Dr. Jean Sings Silly Songs by Dr. Jean Feldman