Description
Research shows that young children learn best through play, not by sitting quietly and watching. Many storytime providers know this, but aren't sure how to incorporate group play into their storytime programs without it turning into chaos. This 90-minute webinar offers a practical framework for building storytimes around how kids actually learn, without losing control of the room.
We'll reframe storytime as structured group play, and your role as a confident guide rather than a stressed out performer. You'll learn the 3 Ps Framework for playful storytimes: how to plan environments and routines that set clear expectations, pick developmentally appropriate ingredients, and present them in the most engaging ways. This multisensory approach engages the whole child and their caregivers while building early literacy, social skills, and self-regulation. Walk away with a toolbox of hands-on techniques, ready to build programs that feel purposeful, playful, and manageable for you and your group.
Designed for children's and youth services librarians, school librarians, and early childhood educators, whether you're worried that more movement means more chaos or you're experienced and looking for fresh techniques to deepen engagement.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain why active play, not passive listening, is how young children actually learn.
- Shift from storytime performer to storytime guide, building confidence along the way.
- Identify ways to create environments, routines, and set expectations with caregivers so group management doesn't become a barrier to play.
- Choose books, songs, and activities that are developmentally appropriate and built for group participation, not passive listening.
- Apply presentation techniques to bring books and songs already in your repertoire to life, such as parallel play, movement, singing, chanting, sign language, props, and visual supports.
About the Presenter
Alyssa Jewell, MLIS (she/her) is a children’s musician and storytime expert, best known as La La Librarian. She is the author of Move, Play, Learn: Interactive Storytimes with Music, Movement, and More (ALA Editions). A musician and former theatre educator, she has co-written three musicals for young audiences, collaborated with bestselling authors to adapt their books into songs and stage productions, and co-written four indie rock albums. These days, she enjoys creating music for children and early childhood professionals to use in storytime. Alyssa lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her kids, husband, cats, and dogs.
This event will be hosted in Zoom. Automatic captions will be enabled for this event. This event will be recorded, and registrants will receive access to the recording within a day after the event ends.
If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.
Attendees are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language model, automated decision-making tool, or any other software or tools to record this event and from using this event to train, develop, or improve any artificial intelligence system, machine learning model, or similar automated technology. This does not preclude attendees' personal use of AI notetaking tools for accessibility purposes.
