April April

what is a montessori storytime?

I have worked in public libraries for almost 12 years. However, prior to my current librarian position, I worked at a Montessori school in the toddler (18-36mo.) classroom. This experience with the Montessori method of education has completely changed the way I approach my work as a librarian, and in particular, how I approach storytime.

So, what does a Montessori Storytime look like? Here are some general guidelines I give myself to help make my storytimes more in line with the Montessori approach to educating the young child:
  • Focus topics, stories, and songs that fit what the children seem to be interested in, following their lead.
  • Observe children's reactions and engagement in storytime.
  • Choose books that include a diverse representation of characters (my new rule for myself is that at least 1 of the books I read needs to a feature a non-white human character).
  • Choose books that focus on real, concrete things. For example, I don't often choose to read about mythical creatures or "characters" -- but that's not to say I never do. I just turn my focus to "real" characters, as toddlers are not able to understand the abstract nature of mythical creatures, etc. and this can be confusing for them.
  • Choose books with real photographs when possible.
  • Choose songs and rhymes that are also based in real/concrete concepts and that are inclusive
  • Give children real-life examples using props. For example, if we read/sing about mittens, show a real pair of mittens.
  • Avoid phrases like "good job" or "great work" -- these phrases are often discouraged in Montessori approach because it puts adults in the position of rewarding children for their work, which could potentially lead to a child working only to please the adult. In Montessori philosophy, we encourage children to be proud of their work for themselves. Other phrases I try to use are: "you did it!" and "wow! I can tell you've been working hard on learning the words to that song!" 
  • Encourage the adult caregivers of the children attending storytime to provide practical at-home applications of the concepts we talked about at storytime that help give the child new opportunities to be independent and build perseverance. 

Read More
April April

My Process Art Program: Art in Motion

Art in Motion was a monthly process art program that I taught for ages 3-5 (preschool age). Each Art in Motion program started with a few stories and songs/stretchers, incorporating early literacy into the class.
We then moved on to the art project, which took up the majority of the class, giving children the opportunity to have sensory experiences and develop fine motor skills. I encouraged caregivers to let children explore the process of making art. By moving the focus away from the child's final art product, we are separating the conformist expectations adults often project onto art, from the pure joy children receive from the mere experience of creating.

Art in Motion concluded in April 2015.

A is for Art (October 2014)
B is for Big Blot (November)
C is for Collage (December)
D is for Drip...Draw...Drip (January 2015)
F is for Fingerpaint (March)
G is for Growing a Gallery (April)

    Process Art Resources

    My favorite blogs for Kid's Art Inspiration:
    Read More
    April April

    process art

    My Process Art Program: Art in Motion
    Art in Motion was a monthly process art program that I taught for ages 3-5 (preschool age). Each Art in Motion program started with a few stories and songs/stretchers, incorporating early literacy into the class.
    We then moved on to the art project, which took up the majority of the class, giving children the opportunity to have sensory experiences and develop fine motor skills. I encouraged caregivers to let children explore the process of making art. By moving the focus away from the child's final art product, we are separating the conformist expectations adults often project onto art, from the pure joy children receive from the mere experience of creating.

    Art in Motion concluded in April 2015.

     A is for Art (October 2014)
    B is for Big Blot (November)
    C is for Collage (December)
    D is for Drip...Draw...Drip (January 2015)
    E is for Explore the Effects (February)
    F is for Fingerpaint (March)
    G is for Growing a Gallery (April)

    Process Art Resources

    My favorite blogs for Kid's Art Inspiration:
    Read More
    April April

    Experimental Programming for Caregivers & Their Children Ages 0-36 Months


    Yoga? Zumba? Support groups? There's really no reason these types of classes can't happen in a library; after all, moms and their babies ARE learning some new skills, and gaining new knowledge about each specific form of exercise!

    Mom and Baby Yoga
    • Baby and Me Yoga 
      • I am so happy, because I had planned a bunch of Mom and Baby Yoga classes at my last library, but left for my new position before they were scheduled to actually happen. It took a lot of research and communication, but I was finally able to track down a wonderful new instructor to come all the way out and teach some classes here at my new library.


    • Musical Performances for Babies & Toddlers
      • Tunes with Tim comes highly recommended by the the Old Town School of Folk Music, which is a big name in Chicago, and even the greater midwest. I spent a bit of time clicking around their website and looking through their kids' classes, which they list the instructors for. This is where I found Tunes with Tim. I was really looking for a music performer who was able to gear their performance to the tiniest of patrons -- birth up through 24 months -- and so I was looking at the Wiggleworms instructors. 

    Zumbini = Mom and Baby Zumba
    • Zumbini
      • Have you watched any of the amazing Mom/ Baby Zumba videos on YouTube? If you haven't, please prepare yourself for the adorableness that is Zumbini. Most moms just strap on or wrap up baby in a front or back carrier, and then let loose! However, there are some classes I've seen videos of in which babies and children are down and dancing with their caregiver, but it really is adorable to watch as mom exercises, and baby bounces along for the ride. 
      • I kept thinking to myself, what a wonderful experience for moms: you can exercise AND spend some quality time with your baby. And really, moms with the littlest of children are usually looking for opportunities to get out of the house and do something with their child that involves GROWN-UPS too. So, why not try hosting some Zumbini classes at the library? After all, a lot of libraries host Zumba for adults these days!


    • Stroller Strides
      • Stroller Strides is basically moms exercising while their babies stay in the strollers. The exercises range, so some of the time, moms may be facing their children or using the strollers in their exercises. What you CAN'T see in pictures is that most of the exercises have children's tunes and rhymes that go along with them, and the moms all sing them together. Also, the instructors will sometimes read a short book to the children while moms do some brief intense exercises on their own.

    New Moms Support Group
    • New Moms Support Group
      • Although I'm not a mother myself, but I've been trying to learn more about the culture of new motherhood, in order to better serve the many caregivers of our tiniest patrons. From what I've learned, being a new mom can both be joyous and scary, and even if you're experiencing the miracle of bonding with your new baby, you may feel more alone than ever. My goal is to create a community group of new moms who can meet together in a safe space, like a private programming room of the library, and bond over their struggles and joys. Libraries ARE becoming more of a community hub, and so my only question I'm left with is: why NOT facilitate a support group of new moms in our community? 
      • Start by contacting Doulas and other "new parent" focused organizations in your area. 

    Baby Sign Language
    • Sign with Me, Baby!
      • Baby sign language is pretty awesome. I helped run some baby sign language classes when I worked at the Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan (disclaimer: I didn't RUN the class, just helped out!) and I fell in love. Not only does it help develop your baby's hand muscles, but it more importantly helps your baby learn to communicate with you before they can talk. Signs like "all done" and "more" can make meal times much less of a headache! 


    Mommy & Me Classes in the Library: Where to Start
    If you're interested in offering a wide variety of new and interesting programs for caregivers and their babies at your library, I suggest starting off with a quick Google search of "mommy and me classes ____ (your town/city/zipcode)" and seeing what pops up.
    I'm fortunate that I'm not TOO far from Chicago, so there's a lot offered in the area.
    When I searched Google, I did find a lot of "round-up" type articles, which were really helpful. For example, Red Tricycle writes a lot of round-ups on things to do in Chicago with your child (note: they also cover other major U.S. cities, take a look!), and so I found that their article 20 Things You MUST Do With a Baby in Chicago to be super helpful for not only sparking ideas, but also for places to contact for instructors.

    The magical fortress that is Little Beans Cafe (Evanston location)
    One of my other secret weapons is Little Beans Cafe in Chicago/Evanston, from which MANY of my ideas for mom/baby programs were sparked! This cute little cafe features a play space and offers a ton of classes for young children. Caffeine? Entertainment for your child? Too good to be true? A big ol' YES. Why? Because you have to pay an arm and a leg for these classes! I'm sure they're wonderful, but why pay when you can attend similar programs at your public library? That's my point of view, at least.


    So, my advice to all of you readers is: Check out caregiver/child hubs in YOUR community. Where do parents and nannies mingle? What's hot? What are they PAYING for that you can offer for FREE them in return for their hard earned tax dollars? What can you do to better serve the parents, caregivers, and their young children in your community? What new experiences can you offer them? There is so much out there. You'll send a lot of emails, and do a lot of back-and-forth communicating, but in the end: it'll be worth it.
    Read More
    April April

    Using a Bubble Machine in Storytimes

    Why Use Bubbles in Storytime?
    My job of modeling the importance of play is just as significant as modeling the importance of reading and singing, and I have found that the bubble machine stimulates all sorts of happiness in my storytimes.

    First, it gives children a fun sensory experience and a chance to play together with the other children in the beginning of storytime - as opposed to just the end - breaking down some initial shyness/quietness among the group.

    Second, it is an amazing open-ended play experience, whether we're using it during our hello song or during our free play time at the end (our "goodbye" bubbles, when I just put on a music CD and let the kids run around in the bubbles).

    Third, it gets everyone up and moving. As I just mentioned, for goodbye bubbles, it is less structured and more "free play", and I walk around the entire room as little ones bounce along after me. It's a great opportunity for a little bit of exercise and releasing all that energy!


    The "Bubble Wiggle Jiggle" Hello song: This is a new song that I wrote to use with my new BUBBLE MACHINE! I just wanted a fun, new way to say hello at the start of storytimes, and this is it. I sing it acapella style, so I always encourage caregivers to clap along!

    The Bubble Wiggle Jiggle (Tune: Shortin'n Bread)
    Written by April Howe
    Little round bubble, bubble, bubble
    Little round bubble, I love you!
    (x2) 
    Verse 1:
    Bubble to the Left,
    Bubble to the Right
    Wiggle and Jiggle
    We’re Feelin’ Alright! 
    Verse 2:
    Bubble up High
    Bubble down Low
    Wiggle and Jiggle
    Let’s Say Hello! 
    Verse 3:
    Bubbles floating slow
    Bubbles floating fast
    Wiggle and Jiggle
    We're having a blast! 
    Verse 4:
    Bubble so quiet
    Bubble so LOUD
    Wiggle and jiggle
    You make me so proud!
    I initially wrote the 4 verses above, but stuck with just the first two (ending on "let's say hello"), in order to limit the amount of time we spend on bubbles in the beginning.

    So, the bubble machine is running as we sing the song. I hang onto it and walk back and forth, lifting it up high so that the bubbles float for longer. I also try to get around to those sitting down in the back who are feeling to shy to come up front and see the bubbles.

    For about 30 seconds after the song, I leave the bubble machine running. Then, I ask everyone to count to five and we say goodbye for now to the Bubble Machine.

    The bubble machine comes back out at the end of storytime for "goodbye bubbles" - which is just some free play time chasing bubbles! As I mentioned earlier, I just put on a CD (my favorite is usually some Laurie Berkner, at least lately!) and walk around the room as the kids follow me. (I often joke to the caregivers that I could rule the world with this thing, and that if it ever broke, I'd have an angry mob on my hands!)

    About the Bubble Machine: Above is the bubble machine I use. The brand is Bubble Blitz. It was $10.99 at Target (don't buy it at Amazon because you will over-pay). And it is The. Best. Invention. EVER. Also, the bubble liquid is great, it is non-toxic, non-sticky. I always tell parents that.

    I had to replace it once, but I think it's because I used some cheap bubble liquid that gunked up the motor (also could have been from a co-worker who poured too much in!), because the wheel stopped turning (it would pause a few seconds after running).

    I exchanged it for a new machine and have been extremely careful with it - careful how much/how fast I'm pouring, and only using the Bubble Blitz brand of liquid. I've only seen it sold at Target, but I'm sure there are other good quality brands of bubbles out there.

    As you can tell, I'm kind of over protective of it, only because my storytime kids love it so much. ;)

    Read More