Leading Story Time (Calling all teachers and moms!)

[LittleSpirit02]

Hi everyone!

I'm leading story time at my local library as Rapunzel (I've started a princess party company). This will be my company's "first impression" and I want it to be a hit so the library will bring me back and hopefully parents will want to hire me for parties. For anyone who has led or been to a lot of storytimes - I'd love tips on any songs, rhymes, techniques, etc that you suggest!

It's 45 min long - 25 child cap (each must have guardian).

I figure:
Introduction, maybe take a few questions
Story book A - 10 min
Princess Pokey - 5 min
Shake Your Sillies Out - 5 min
Freeze Dance - 3 min
Story book B (if time) - 10 min
Line up for Meet n Greet/Photos/Autographs - 15 min


I'm happy with the "Princess Pokey" song. But I'm not fully satisfied with the other songs and even freeze dance. I'd love tips and suggestions for sing alongs/games.

Edited to add... age range is 3-7.

[dobby2010]

We've gone to quite a few story times. I think what you have sounds great. Usually the leaders will give all the kids something at the end like a sticker or coloring page or something. The kids seem to really like stories and songs that involve puppets or motions. My advice would be to plan twice as many activities just in case things go faster than you think. Better to be over prepared!

Don't worry about pleasing the parents to much. They will just be happy their kids are occupied and happy, trust me!

[DisneyDog]

I am a librarian, although not a children's librarian...and it's been about 8 years since I've taken my son to story time. But, I know that when our children's librarian goes into story time, she takes a HUGE stack of books. What age group are you gearing this to? I have a feeling that 10 minutes might be a bit generous for most picture books, even if you read really slowly. You might want to consider bringing in more books, and a wide selection of them at that, so that you can gear your reading to the crowd. You may also want to consider hand puppets that go along with your stories. Our children's librarian has this really cute apron with tons of pockets and she sings "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly" -- and the animals from the song are stored in the pockets, in stuffed animal form. So, when she sings about the goat, for example, she can pull out the goat and show the kids. I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you need more suggestions. You might also want to go to youtube and search for library story time.

[mickeys_princess_mom]

I am a librarian, although not a children's librarian...and it's been about 8 years since I've taken my son to story time. But, I know that when our children's librarian goes into story time, she takes a HUGE stack of books. What age group are you gearing this to? I have a feeling that 10 minutes might be a bit generous for most picture books, even if you read really slowly. You might want to consider bringing in more books, and a wide selection of them at that, so that you can gear your reading to the crowd. You may also want to consider hand puppets that go along with your stories. Our children's librarian has this really cute apron with tons of pockets and she sings "I know an old lady who swallowed a fly" -- and the animals from the song are stored in the pockets, in stuffed animal form. So, when she sings about the goat, for example, she can pull out the goat and show the kids. I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you need more suggestions. You might also want to go to youtube and search for library story time.

Retired teacher and librarian here....Yes, that may be a long span to be reading....When I take my two and a half-year old to library activities, it's hard for her to sit still for a very long stretch. And like previous poster mentioned, plan more than you need! What a great job--have fun!!!

[LittleSpirit02]

Thanks everyone!

Yea - I think 5-8 minutes might be more realistic for the books I was thinking of. I think I'll bring my stuffed animal Pascal. He'll be my buddy that loves to listen to stories and is so great at listening...

I was also thinking of doing a little "5 Pretty Flowers" song...

5 pretty flowers in my garden grew
Hmm, I said, I bet they smell good too
I bent down to smell them and they tickled my nose
ACHOO (have kids sneeze) OH NO!
Away one flower blows...

I have flowers made from popsicle sticks/paper.

Age range 3-7.

[LittleSpirit02]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the tips! The story time went really well!!! Was a lot of fun.