So I finally got round to finding a podcast to listen to...not the whole thing...but a section of one. I haven't worked an evening and have done Storytime and Toddler Tales this week so the time to do the 23 things has been short. I found a podcast about Storytime on Circulating Ideas (Episode 34: Storytime). There are a number of speakers who take part in the podcast - children's librarians from around Canada and the US who are experienced storytellers and bloggers.
For the 15 minutes I was able to listen they were discussing what makes a successful storytime. They point out that a successful storytime is not necessarily quantified by numbers. You can have a bad storytime with 90 kids and a great one with 6. In our experience in Nashwaaksis is that this true - not that we get 90 kids coming along...our highest number for a regular storytime is usually around 30. It varies with the group of kids who are there and how engaged they become in the stories. The speakers on the podcast stress how engagement with the audience is key. If you're worried and self concious people get disengaged, but if you're interacting with the audience and flexible with the stories and activities you've planned it's more likely that it will be a success. They pointed out that consistency in energy level throughout the programme is important in order that you don't lose your listeners. The thing I liked was what one speaker called the 'storytime bubble', the time when everyone is into the stories, parents and children, and you don't lose anyone at any point. That's the magic I'm looking for.
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