Preschool Story time aims to introduce children to the world of books and reading with fun, interactive experiences in a safe environment. These sessions are aimed at 2-5 year olds.
Most libraries hold story time sessions each week.
Sessions can run from 30 to 45 minutes and may include stories, rhymes, songs, finger plays and a simple craft activity. Younger siblings and friends are invited to attend.
The cost is usually free and bookings are usually not necessary.
Check with your local library for session times.
Reading to babies & young children gives them a head-start in life
Do you know why reading from an early age is so important for young children?
The most active period of human brain growth and development is from birth to three years of age. A child’s brain is 90% developed by five years of age.
Repeated positive early experiences of language, rhyme and stories strengthen connections in a child’s brain.
A child’s future success is influenced by a strong foundation in the early years, impacting lifelong learning, achievement at school and beyond, self-confidence, motivation, and both physical and mental health.
Libraries provide free literacy materials and programs, such as Story time and Baby time, to parents of 0 to five-year-olds and they are one of the few organisations helping parents to be their children’s first teachers.
Story time and Baby time sessions provide the perfect opportunities to build the foundation for optimal brain development in the first five years.
References:
- Raising Literacy Australia (2012) Building Foundations for Early Learning.
- The Big Book Club. Australian Library and Information Association (2014)
- Early Literacy Framework and Strategy for Australian Public Libraries (Date accessed April 2019) https://www.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/ALIA-PLAC-Early-Literacy-Framework-Strategy.pdf