Helpful Hints for Toddler Storytimes

Require that an adult comes with the toddler.

Make the story time interactive for the toddlers and the adults.  (Include the adults.  Not like preschool story times when the adults sit in the back of the room.)

20-30 minutes

Under three years of age.  (Maybe beginning at 12-18 months.)

Limit the group to 15.

Offer sessions morning, afternoon, and evening.

Read short books, include fingerplays, rhymes and music

Have handouts of the rhymes and fingerplays for the adults to take home and do them with the child at home.

Repetition of rhymes and fingerplays is good.

At first the children may not be good listeners because this is their first group experience.

May want to develop a bibliography of toddler books for adults to take home with them.

Use bright colored books

Children will react differently.  They will be at all levels of development.

May start out with only three children, but it will grow.  Give the session a chance.