Applying Early Literacy in Storytime Settings

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(This webinar and recording is only available to library staff in California. The recording will be available under the CALL Academy People Connect Institute category one week after delivery.)

Storytime isn’t just fun—it’s foundational. In this session, we’ll explore how to intentionally apply early literacy practices to storytime sessions in meaningful, engaging, and developmentally supportive ways. Learn how to align your book choices, songs, activities, and interactions with the five early literacy practices (talk, sing, read, write, play), and better understand the “why” behind what we do.

We'll explore how to share early literacy concepts with caregivers in ways that feel approachable and encouraging, making storytime a shared journey toward lifelong learning. Whether you’re refreshing your approach or looking to build more intentionality into your storytimes, this session will help connect the dots between storytime fun and meaningful impact.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to incorporate the five early literacy practices (talk, sing, read, write, play) into storytime planning and delivery
• Identify developmentally appropriate strategies to support language and literacy development in babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Gain tools to articulate the purpose of storytime and the value of early literacy to caregivers.

Presenter:

Katie Clausen is the Early Literacy Services Manager at Gail Borden Public Library and a current PhD candidate in Information Studies at Dominican University. She holds an MLIS from Dominican University and an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons College. Katie has shared her expertise at numerous conferences, and her articles have been featured in the Children & Libraries: The Journal of ALSC and Marvels and Tales. Her specialties include early literacy, children’s literature evaluation, and best storytime practices.

CALL Training Partner: PCI Webinars

Track: Early Literacy