Caregivers on Devices at Storytime – Jbrary
Engaging Caregivers and Children at the Library: Tips for Meaningful Storytime
In today’s world, where digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, it can be challenging to capture the attention of both children and their caregivers during library storytime programs. As an experienced educational writer, I’m here to share practical strategies and insights to help caregivers at Stanley Park High School engage more fully with their young ones during these valuable learning experiences.
Understand Caregivers’ Perspectives
It’s natural for us as librarians and educators to feel frustrated when we see caregivers glued to their phones rather than interacting with their children. However, it’s important to approach this issue with empathy and understanding. We don’t always know what’s happening in a caregiver’s life or what’s prompting their device use during storytime.
As one community member shared, “Storytime sometimes being the only time a primary caregiver can relax/decompress. It really made me think about this issue in a different light.” Recognizing that caregivers may need a brief moment of respite can help us approach the situation with more compassion.
Set Clear Expectations
One of the most effective ways to engage caregivers is to set clear expectations for participation at the start of each storytime session. This helps create a shared understanding of what the program entails and how caregivers can contribute to the experience.
As a librarian shared, “I start out every storytime with a small aside about guidelines for grownups. I say during storytime we’re focusing on our KIDS:
K: Keep your child near.
I: Intervene if your child distracts others.
D: Do the activities with your child.
S: Save conversations for after storytime.”
This simple acronym provides a friendly and memorable way to communicate the expectations, reminding caregivers that their active participation is essential for their child’s learning and enjoyment.
Encourage Caregiver Engagement
Beyond setting expectations, there are many ways you can actively encourage caregivers to engage with their children during storytime. One strategy is to choose interactive books, songs, and activities that naturally draw in both children and their caregivers.
As one community member shared, “I find that stories with a repeating line (like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) also work really well because the parents pick it up really quickly when I tell them to repeat the line back, and by the end of the story all the older kids are doing it too.” By including participatory elements, you create opportunities for caregivers to actively engage with their children.
Another way to foster engagement is to make the songs and rhymes more accessible. Provide lyrics or visuals, and encourage caregivers to sing along. As one librarian mentioned, “Verbal encouragement can go a long way too! I ask everybody if they are ready to join in on the songs and finger rhymes, to sing along.”
Celebrate Mistakes and Model Participation
It’s important to create a welcoming and judgment-free environment during storytime. As one community member shared, “Celebrate your mistakes to show them it’s ok if they don’t remember the words to a song (‘Oops, I got myself a bit mixed up with those verses, but we’ll sing the correct one now!’).” By acknowledging your own mistakes, you demonstrate that it’s okay for caregivers and children to not get everything right, and that the focus should be on having fun and engaging together.
Additionally, modeling participation yourself can be a powerful way to inspire caregivers to join in. As one librarian shared, “I start out every storytime with a small aside about guidelines for grownups. I say during storytime we’re focusing on our KIDS… This little acronym has really helped keep our grownups engaged with their kids!”
Address Device Use Directly (but Gently)
While it’s important to understand and empathize with caregivers’ perspectives, there may be times when device use becomes too disruptive to the storytime experience. In these cases, it’s appropriate to address the issue directly, but in a gentle and understanding manner.
As one librarian shared, “We have this policy at my library for programs and I usually say something like, ‘Grown-ups, we ask that you tuck away your devices during storytime and refrain from taking photos to ensure everyone’s privacy. When the program is over and people are able to move about freely, feel free to snap a picture or video.’”
Another librarian provided sample wording that focuses on the reasons behind the request: “I have a remark about photos: ‘We ask that you please do not take any photos of videos during the program. For 2 reasons: 1) It’s distracting for me and other people attending the program, and most importantly, 2) for privacy reasons, because other people might not be ok with their kids in our pictures.’”
Celebrate Caregiver Participation
Finally, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the caregivers who do engage actively with their children during storytime. As one community member shared, “I think it’s easy to forget that caregivers are going above and beyond just for showing up, and it’s nice to remind them that we appreciate them just as much as they appreciate us.”
By offering verbal praise and encouragement, you can reinforce the importance of caregiver participation and inspire others to follow suit. As one librarian mentioned, “I like to include things like ‘beautiful singing, grown-ups! No matter what you think of your own voice, you are a rockstar to your little one.’”
Remember, creating an engaging and inclusive storytime experience is a collaborative effort between librarians and the families they serve. By approaching the issue of device use with empathy, setting clear expectations, and actively encouraging caregiver participation, you can help foster a meaningful and enriching experience for all.
For more information about storytime programs and resources at the Stanley Park High School Library, please visit our website or speak with one of our friendly librarians. We’re here to support you and your family in nurturing a love of reading and learning.
