Developmentally-Appropriate Media for Storytimes

September 4 - October 1, 2023 | Four-week course

Meaningful storytime programs go beyond the traditional practice of reading books to children and caregivers. Various types of experiences and literacies should be incorporated to provide learning extensions of intentional book choices. In this class, you will learn about the different multi-literacies of early childhood and how to incorporate them through various types of media. We will discuss strategies for intentionally choosing developmentally appropriate songs, music and movement, technology-based applications, discovery-based projects, and interactive social experiences based on developmental age and stage of children. We will discuss the importance of choosing diverse media and cultural experiences to which families and children can relate. You will get hands-on experience connecting each of the components of storytime to foster early literacy and school readiness skill development.

After taking this class, successful participants will be able to:

• Define the various multi-literacies of early childhood
• Choose developmentally appropriate songs, music and movement, technology-based applications, discovery-based projects, and interactive social experiences for storytime programs intended for infants, toddlers, two-year-olds, and preschoolers
• Explain the importance of choosing diverse media and materials to which children and families who attend the storytime program can relate
• Create a cohesive storytime plan that embeds developmentally appropriate media and experiences

Expectations: This class is four weeks of content. There WILL be homework during the fourth week which will be due by the end of the fifth week. Although there are individual differences, you may expect each week to take 3 – 4 hours of work which includes the readings, watching the presentations, participating in forums, and submitting assignments.

Presenter: R. Lynn Baker is an early literacy consultant and credentialed early childhood trainer. She leads face-to-face and online trainings for early care and education professionals and librarians. Lynn is a former early childhood librarian and author of library program guidebooks, published by the American Library Association, including Counting Down to Kindergarten: A Complete Guide to Creating a School Readiness Program for Your Community and Creating Literacy-Based Programs for Children: Lesson Plans and Printable Resources for K-5. Lynn has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. Lynn holds her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science, with an early childhood focus, from San Jose State University.  

CALL Training Partner for this Event: Library Juice Academy