What do you think are the appropriate developmental age brackets for storytimes offered at the library? For example, Bouncing babies ages 0-8 & 9-21 months VS. 0-23 months
While I have little experience with younger age brackets, from working at the school and assisting in DC I would suggest breaking up the DC group 6-8 and 9-11. When we do more informational DCs or more conceptual activities, it's completely over the heads of younger students. But catering to an age 6 patron could run the risk of being boring to an age 11 patron.
I see that a lot as well Dani. Great feedback. DC feels like a giant age range to tackle and I feel at times I cater to the younger kids because they outnumber the older ones. I think splitting the age range will make it easier to plan and offer a much more fulfilling experience for the children.
I believe that the PreK storytimes may also benefit from different age brackets. For most of the younger 3 year olds, the experience of attending solo is a new one for them. Whereas the older 5 and even 4 year olds are more comfortable and eager to participate. I do think that having them attend without parents is the way to go as it helps them prepare for future school experiences. Though, if these groups were split or even small in #, the younger children may participate and engage more with the storyteller.
I think Baby storytime would benefit from being made into 2 age groups (ages 0-1, and 1-2). Once the babies start walking, I feel like that's a good marker for the split. Toddler storytime could be ages 2-4 (or even 3 1/2), and then Preschool could be 4 (or 3 1/2) up to right before they turn 6. (During the summer I've experienced a lot of the older kids who are still 5 and home from kindergarten, and it can be a little tricky engaging them, along with the kids who just barely turned 3.)
I agree that the baby storytimes would benefit from being split into two different groups (so infants aren't trampled by older babies) and that Preschool could also be split into two groups - younger 3 year olds with parents included with Toddlers.
As I had mentioned in the survey, I think that it would be beneficial to divide baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. Baby storytime should be divided from 0-11/ 12/24. Developmentally there is a difference between these age groups. I also feel that it would be beneficial to make Toddler storytime from 2-3 and Preschool storytime from 4-5. I have seen that many of the 3 year olds are not quite mature enough to be on their own. It can be a challenge handling children on their own without their parents. If they are not ready to be on their own this only adds to that.
While I have little experience with younger age brackets, from working at the school and assisting in DC I would suggest breaking up the DC group 6-8 and 9-11. When we do more informational DCs or more conceptual activities, it's completely over the heads of younger students. But catering to an age 6 patron could run the risk of being boring to an age 11 patron.
ReplyDeleteI see that a lot as well Dani. Great feedback. DC feels like a giant age range to tackle and I feel at times I cater to the younger kids because they outnumber the older ones. I think splitting the age range will make it easier to plan and offer a much more fulfilling experience for the children.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the PreK storytimes may also benefit from different age brackets. For most of the younger 3 year olds, the experience of attending solo is a new one for them. Whereas the older 5 and even 4 year olds are more comfortable and eager to participate.
ReplyDeleteI do think that having them attend without parents is the way to go as it helps them prepare for future school experiences. Though, if these groups were split or even small in #, the younger children may participate and engage more with the storyteller.
I think Baby storytime would benefit from being made into 2 age groups (ages 0-1, and 1-2). Once the babies start walking, I feel like that's a good marker for the split. Toddler storytime could be ages 2-4 (or even 3 1/2), and then Preschool could be 4 (or 3 1/2) up to right before they turn 6. (During the summer I've experienced a lot of the older kids who are still 5 and home from kindergarten, and it can be a little tricky engaging them, along with the kids who just barely turned 3.)
ReplyDeleteI agree that the baby storytimes would benefit from being split into two different groups (so infants aren't trampled by older babies) and that Preschool could also be split into two groups - younger 3 year olds with parents included with Toddlers.
ReplyDeleteAs I had mentioned in the survey, I think that it would be beneficial to divide baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. Baby storytime should be divided from 0-11/ 12/24. Developmentally there is a difference between these age groups. I also feel that it would be beneficial to make Toddler storytime from 2-3 and Preschool storytime from 4-5. I have seen that many of the 3 year olds are not quite mature enough to be on their own. It can be a challenge handling children on their own without their parents. If they are not ready to be on their own this only adds to that.
ReplyDelete