{"id":29724,"date":"2023-11-02T00:01:39","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T04:01:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=29724"},"modified":"2025-04-01T13:57:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T17:57:16","slug":"finding-the-math-in-childrens-storytimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2023\/11\/finding-the-math-in-childrens-storytimes\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding the Math in Children’s Storytimes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In Massachusetts, the children\u2019s librarians at Worcester Public Library<\/a> (WPL) are weaving math learning into story times. Math, at the library? With toddlers and preschoolers? The answer to both questions is a resounding, YES!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Storytime at Worcester Public Library with librarian Cara Young<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Since 2019, WPL has been our valued partner in Education Development Center\u2019s Young Mathematicians<\/a> (YM) in Worcester project, a Family Math initiative funded by Heising Simons Foundation, Overdeck Family Foundation and the National Science Foundation. Their work to bring math into the children\u2019s room is adding up for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that Early Math Matters! Preschool children\u2019s mathematics understanding significantly predicts school achievement<\/a> over and above reading skills and attention skills. This research has WPL librarians buzzing about ways to tweak their story times to bring out the math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/youngmathematicians.edc.org\/math-topic\/spatial-relations\/<\/a> \u201cMathematizing\u201d story<\/strong> books<\/strong>.\u201d Co-author Rebecca Raineri hosts a STEM Storytime every Friday morning at WPL\u2019s Frances Perkins branch. A former teacher, Rebecca has embraced the notion of mathematizing\u2014noticing, bringing out, and talking about the math around us. She plans story time activities that not only help promote children\u2019s literacy skills and love of books, but also bring out the math in what they are reading or doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caleb, Grace, and Ari walk around the small reading room searching for hidden shapes. They have their fingers curled around their eyes as if using binoculars. Caleb shouts, \u201cI found a triangle.\u201d When Rebecca asks \u201cWhere\u2026\u201d Caleb points and answers, \u201cThere,\u201d to which Rebecca responds, \u201cYou found a triangle inside the basket. And we know it\u2019s a triangle because it has three straight sides. Can you find more shapes?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shape hunt<\/a> activity\u2014and reading books about shapes during story time\u2014helps children recognize and describe shapes, an important foundation<\/a> for later math knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other examples of mathematizing storytime include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Scarf dancing using spatial and positional words. <\/strong>After reading Rosie\u2019s Walk<\/a> by Pat Hutchins, CSL Rezarta Reso engaged children in \u201cScarf Dancing\u201d, a favorite movement activity. However, instead of encouraging children to randomly sway scarves, Rezarta directed the movements by using spatial\/positional words from the story: Move the scarf above your head. Between your legs. Along your left side. Along your right side. Far from your toes. Near your toes<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Scarf dancing during a library story hour at Worcester Public Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Narrated field trip. <\/strong>Librarian Katherine Maher, Children Services Librarian invited children to go on a “Field Trip<\/a>\u201d to the big window. The children followed Katherine as she headed to the window while narrating her route: We are going past<\/strong> the round table. Now we are walking between<\/strong> the book stacks.<\/em> We are turning right<\/strong> and walking straight toward <\/strong>the window. Look how close we are. Yay, we made it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These simple activities help build the children\u2019s spatial understanding and spatial awareness – critical early mathematics skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"
Librarian Rebecca Raineri reads during a storytime.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Counting geodes during a library storytime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

After many years of facilitating story times and now bringing in early math, the WPL librarians have learned a lot and offer these five tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be prepared<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n