Have parents introduce themselves and their children including their child s age. Sing a naming song, eg: The Hello Train or choose a song below.

Transcription

1 Storytelling Agenda for 4-6 year olds There are many activities that families can do together to support their children s literacy development: reading or telling stories together, cooking, saying rhymes, playing games, or making family books. This event will give parents some tips and ideas for activities that they can do with their children. 6:30 Introductions Purpose: Introductions are encouraged to help the participants feel welcome. To create a supportive and encouraging learning environment for parents. To encourage the parents to actively participate in this event. Have parents introduce themselves and their children including their child s age. Sing a naming song, eg: The Hello Train or choose a song below. Hello everybody and how are you? How are you? How are you? Hello everybody and how are you? How are you today? My name is what is yours? What is yours? What is yours? My name is what is yours? Welcome what is your name? Here we are together, together, together Oh here we are together all sitting on the floor. There s (touch or point to a person, encouraging him/her to say him/her name) *Continue to go around touching each child until they have all been introduced. 1

2 Let s wave hello to (child s name) Let s wave hello to Hello, hello, hello, hello Let s wave hello to Change wave with any other action, eg: blink, snap, stomp, etc. The Hello Train (Sung to the tune of She ll be coming round the mountain ) The Hello Train is coming how are you? Choo choo The Hello Train is coming how are you? The Hello Train is coming, the hello train is coming, the hello train is coming how are you? We say hello to how are you? Choo choo We say hello to how are you? We say hello to, we say hello to, we say hello to, how are you? (Continue singing the song until all the children s names have been mentioned) 6:35 Warm-Up Activity Purpose: To demonstrate that literacy entails activities other than reading. To create a level of comfort for the participants to familiarize themselves with the group. To demonstrate that songs, rhymes and finger plays let children hear the rhythm of the language. Tell a Nursery Rhyme or poems from the book Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee Sing an action song if the group needs to move 2

3 Sing one or two songs from the following list. There was a Princess Long Ago There was a princess long ago, long ago, long ago There was a princess long, long ago The fairy cast an evil spell, evil spell, evil spell The fairy cast an evil spell long, long ago The princess slept for a hundred years, a hundred years, a hundred years The princess slept for a hundred years long, long ago One day a prince came galloping by, galloping by, galloping by One day a prince came galloping by long, long ago Everybody s happy now, happy now, happy now Everybody s happy now, long, long ago 5 Little Snowmen Fat (finger play) 5 Little Snowmen fat Each with a funny Hat (Show 5 fingers) Out came the sun and melted one (Bend one finger down) What a sad thing was that (Repeat counting down to none) 6:45 Read a Book Purpose: To model reading with children. To convey the message that book time starts in the early years. To help nurture children s self-esteem. Reminder: It is appropriate to encourage children to talk about the pictures as a means of communicating and reading the book. Discuss the story, ask questions, label pictures, and be prepared to stop when children lose interest. Choose one of the following books. 3

4 Stella Queen of the Snow written by: Marie-Louise Gay Sadie and the Snowman written by: Allen Morgan And You Can Come Too written by: Ruth Ohi* Paper Bag Princess written by: Robert Munsch Christopher, Please Clean Up Your Room! written by: Itah Sadu* The Boy Who Loved Bananas written by: George Elliott* * A book recommended by Hamilton Families read for this age group. 7:00 Family Activity Purpose: To demonstrate that reading, colouring and writing build children s abilities to tell stories. To demonstrate that literacy development begins at birth. 1. Each child receives a 4x5 stamped file card to make into a postcard with their family. Ask the child to draw a picture and/or write about their favourite book. Encourage parents to address the postcard. Keep the postcards and mail them to the families so they receive a fun reminder to read as a family. 2. Have parents ask children questions about the story they just read as a group such as: a. Who/ what was your favourite character? b. What did you like most about the story? 3. Then have the children draw a picture of their favourite character. 4. Have the children write a letter to a character in the book with their parents help. 4

5 5. Start a family reading journal using recipe cards. The children can draw a picture of the book they read together, and the parents can help write one or two sentences about the book on the same card. 7:25 Goodbye Song The Purpose: Goodbye Provides Song closure for the evening. Gives an opportunity to share the handouts and certificates with the families. Goodbye (say child s name) 1. Sing a goodbye song. The Goodbye Song Goodbye (say child s name) Goodbye Goodbye We will see you another day. Wave Goodbye Let s wave goodbye to (say child s name) Let s wave goodbye to Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye Let s wave goodbye to Change wave with any other action eg: snap, blink, clap, etc. 2. Distribute handouts about reading and playing with your 4 to 6 year olds. Handouts are available from 3. Remind parents that Family Literacy Day is January 27 th which is a great time to begin a tradition of nightly bedtime lullabies and stories. 5