Early Literacy Starts Here
Storytime is more than just a librarian reading to children. While each session may vary based on the age of the audience, all share a common goal: to promote early literacy skills and support school readiness in a warm, welcoming environment. For many children, Storytime at the library is also a first opportunity to interact with peers beyond their immediate family, making it a uniquely structured social experience for both the child and their caregiver.
Storytime events at BCLS are guided by Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR), a research-based initiative started in 2004 by the Public Library Association and Association for Library Service to Children - divisions of the American Library Association - to help parents and caregivers build early literacy skills in children from birth to age 5.
The five ECRR Early Literacy Practices are:
- Talking
- Singing
- Reading
- Writing
- Playing
Listening to stories, singing songs, recognizing print, reciting rhymes and interacting with other children are all essential parts of Storytime. Through these experiences, children build the early literacy skills they need for school success — because every child who is ready to read is ready to learn.
What ages can attend Storytime?
Storytimes are designed for children from birth to age 5, along with their caregivers. Many libraries offer age-specific versions — such as Baby Time, Toddler Time, Preschool Storytime and Family Storytime — each featuring a mix of books, songs, movement, rhymes and play tailored to the developmental needs of that age group.
Tips for a great experience:
- Children learn through mimicking behavior, so when a caregiver participates, children will too!
- Children aren’t expected to sit still the entire time — movement is natural, and they’re still actively listening and engaged even when they’re on the move.
- If your child is extra wiggly or overstimulated, feel free to take a breather outside the room and come back when they’re ready!
If you have any questions about your Storytime experience, feel free to ask the staff member leading the program. Each location offers its own version of Storytime, and you can find them on the online events calendar under the Literacy & Learning tab.
To continue building early literacy skills at home, borrow books during your visit, explore our curated reading lists for children from birth to age 5 or enjoy our collection of books for young readers available through TumbleBooks. Another great early literacy program is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which encourages families to read 1,000 books with their child before they enter kindergarten! Track your progress with Beanstack or grab a paper copy at your library.
