Today, I finished my second reading series in Ready! Set....Read , a reading program for 3-7 year olds that I volunteer for at a local children's museum. I am finding my way slowly through the programming. Although I have three activities strategically planned through the course of the reading, I never seem to be quite prepared. My biggest challenge is gathering them from their play to listen to the story. Today, after arraying the space with beach balls, towels, and shovels and playing hawaiian music, I began to play games. I think I was too intimidating because none of the kids approached but continued to play with the other exhibits and their parents. So exhausting my efforts to entice them to story hour, I followed my co-workers suggestion and simply began to read " Punia and the King of Sharks" aloud. In no time, the kids were on the towels listening to the story. The younger children toddled back and forth between the story, playing with the clay and then coming back to hear the interesting parts. The older kids, for the most part listened, but asked questions after each page and I answered them, trying to maximize inquiry and interaction. I had a post reading activity planned, but by the end of the book, the older children's imaginations could sit still no longer and they were off like a shot.
I am again reminded at how important those three minutes of introduction are. It's crucial to hook the child and keep them hooked.
I think in the future, I will try engaging them with a game in the beginning, playing Criss Cross Applesause or bring musical instruments in=--- pertaining to the theme of course. Then I might begin with an interactive poem introducing the story and seamlessly slide into the reading of a picture book.
Tune in next week to see how these work!!! and by all means, offer suggestions of your own!
:)
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