Toddler Storytime Writing

Toddler storytime is an excellent opportunity for 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.

Why have a kit with the ‘writing’ theme?

Even though toddlers are too young to learn to write, it’s the perfect age for them to strengthen their hands, fingers, and arms and to practice gross and fine motor control with their hands and arms; this strengthening and control is critical for them to be able to learn to write when they reach kindergarten. And there are lots of fun, easy activities they can do to build those muscles and skills!

Who is this 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 toddlers 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 toddlers available in your storytime space.

Hands Can by Cheryl Willis Hudson, photos by John-Francis Bourke
Andrew Drew and Drew by Barney Saltzberg
Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Greenfield
Bathe the Cat by Alice B McGinty
Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
12 copies: The Game of Finger Worms by Hervé Tullet
Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Counting by DK Braille
Poke-A-Dot! Old MacDonald’s Farm
Nursery Rhymes, Songs and Fingerplays booklet
Storytimes for Everyone!: Developing Young Children’s Language and Literacy by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Díaz
CD: For Those about to Hop by Imagination Movers