Embedding voting practices into storytime is one of the ways we’re working locally to assist our youngest patrons (and the grown-ups in their life) to use their voice and make choices.
During our weekly storytimes, for children developmental ages birth-eight and their grown-ups, we read two books. After the first book we ask everyone to stop and think about the book we just read. Then we ask both the children and their grown-ups to give the book a thumbs up (I liked it), thumbs down (I didn’t like it), or thumbs in the middle (It was okay). We also offer different facial expressions/body language to accompany each of the three choices for inclusivity:
- Thumbs up, I like it, happy face and nodding yes
- Thumbs down, I didn’t like it, disgusted face and head shaking no
- Thumbs in the middle, It was okay, eh face and shoulder shrug
After the second book, we hold each of the books in different hands and move them away from our bodies. We then tell children and their grown-ups, “Point to the book you preferred. This means point to the book you liked the most. It’s important for people to have choices and it’s important to use your voice. Which book did you like the most? Point to that book.”
We’re intentionally using thumbs for part of our ask and index fingers for another ask. This allows children to work on identifying their fingers and helps them utilize their fine motor skills.
When we are collaboratively presenting storytime, we often share which books we personally prefer after they have shared to show we have preferences just like they do. This is one of the ways we emphasize the importance of voting and the responsibilities of being a citizen in our United States of America.
Another way we focus on citizenship is through a song we revisit at storytimes throughout the year titled I’m a Little Human.
I’m a little human, small and strong
Here is my voice, it’s singing this song
I stand up for others, yes I do
Please come and join me, can I count on you?
I’m a little human and I have choice
I make decisions using my voice
Please talk with me about what you see
So I can be informed and free!
I’m a little human, thankful and kind
Life can be hard but I keep in mind
It feels good to be thankful and notice things small
What thankful things can you recall?
This is sung to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot. The ending intentionally asks for a conversation between the child and their grown-up. We often state, “Now’s the time to turn to your grown-up and talk about something you are thankful for!”
Questions? Comments! Please reach out!
Today’s blog post was written by Katelyn Martens-Rodriguez, Youth Services Librarian at Washington County Library (Minnesota), on behalf of the ALSC Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee. She can be reached at katelyn.martens-rodriguez@co.washington.mn.us. This post addresses competency III. Programming Skills.