Engaging Caretakers in Early Literacy: Idea and Resource Swap by Jessica Ralli

jessicaralli — 2025-09-17 17:29:06 UTC

SAMPLE POST: We started a community ambassador program to bring in families in different immigrant communities. The ambassador is from that community and helps with the program in terms of promotion and outreach.

jessicaralli — 2025-09-17 17:32:32 UTC

SAMPLE POST: I love the reviews on Teaching for Change. This is a great one for baby programs

jessicaralli — 2025-09-17 17:34:00 UTC

SAMPLE POST: We have parents who speak different languages share the alphabet song in their language in storytime.

2025-10-07 19:07:52 UTC

I love the Read to Me program for Nannies and Caregivers. I have a ton of Nannies at my story times so I think a program specifically designed for them would be great!

2025-10-07 19:07:53 UTC

I want to try to create a Ready, Set, Kindergarten program at my library!

2025-10-07 19:07:55 UTC

I'd love to create a storytime guide for families!

2025-10-07 19:08:50 UTC

Survey for caregivers

2025-10-07 19:08:58 UTC

I've used a couple lullaby songs that already have multiple languages in them (Yo Te Amo and Sleep Sleep Little One) and then it's a great opening to invite families to share what the verses would be in their languages.

2025-10-07 19:08:59 UTC

I love the read to Me Nannies and Babysitters idea.

2025-10-07 19:09:01 UTC

Having a caregiver read a story to the group each week, ideally in different languages.

2025-10-07 19:09:29 UTC

I really love the brainy babies program, I do a baby & me story time at my library and I'd love to develop something a little more substantial

2025-10-07 19:09:43 UTC

We have limited staff capacity and meeting room capacity for story times at our library so I go out to preschools and do story time at their locations and then invite the classes for a library tour. It is a great way to connect with kids whose caregivers might not be able to bring them to the library as well.

2025-10-07 19:09:43 UTC

Getting parents to engage in songs but now I might start adding a large printout of some of the songs we sing.

2025-10-07 19:10:01 UTC

I want to try gradually incorporating more vocabulary in other languages in the songs the kids already know

2025-10-07 19:10:26 UTC

I love the idea of inviting early childhood experts to present at storytime!

2025-10-07 19:10:43 UTC

I would like to try doing a storytime planned and facilitated by me, but actually run by the caregivers. For example, I choose the stories and songs, but caregivers take turns reading the books and leading the songs.

2025-10-07 19:10:45 UTC

I use a slideshow behind me with all the song lyrics that I click through during story time. That way I don't have to make posters or song sheets for every story time.

2025-10-07 19:10:49 UTC

Creating early literacy programs that are equitable and sustainable. Thinking about how to ensure the programs are inclusive and can continue with little to no funding.

2025-10-07 19:10:56 UTC

We revamped our 1000 Books before Kindergarten program and added 5 simple ways to engage early literacy items on the 10 different charts we hand out. So 50 different ideas.

2025-10-07 19:11:05 UTC

With multiple staff and each of our 14 branches all facilitating Storytime programs I (the Early Years Coordinator) find it difficult to have program consistency. Some facilitators are good at engaging parents and using literacy strategies, and others are so out of their element with early years programs, but are still expected to facilitate (management decision).

2025-10-07 19:13:01 UTC

Whether you play ukulele or not at storytime, I really like https://storytimeukulele.wordpress.com/ because there is a subject index so you can look at a list of song organized by subject so it's easy to find songs that go with the theme of you storytime.

2025-10-07 19:16:33 UTC

I know it was mentioned quite a few times and I think we all our facing this problem, but getting grown ups to look up from the phones and/or take a pause in their own conversations to engage with our story times and engage with their kids. I feel nowadays it's becoming more of an issue. I want them to know they can do what they need to but also that our story times aren't a free 30 minute babysitter.

2025-10-07 19:21:01 UTC

I also want to give a shout out to one of our librarian assistants here who does a preschool story time, she incorporates American Sign Language into several of her songs that she does. A lot of the kids who come every week now confidently sign along with her.