Description
Songs, rhythm, and repetition support early literacy—but many storytime providers still feel uncomfortable singing in front of a room. This 90-minute webinar offers approachable, low-pressure ways to bring more music into storytime without any formal training.
You'll learn why music matters for early literacy, how chanting can serve as an easy entry point, and how to choose songs and activities that work with real groups of kids. Walk away with practical ideas for singable books, action songs, fingerplays, prop songs, and recorded music—plus strategies to build your confidence one step at a time. The goal isn't to become a performer; it's to build a flexible music toolkit that fits your voice, space, and community.
This webinar is designed for children's and youth services librarians, school librarians, and early childhood educators—whether you're new and nervous about singing or experienced and looking for fresh ideas.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain how music and rhythm support early literacy and child development.
- Identify accessible ways to add music to storytime, from chanting to props.
- Choose songs and activities that fit your group's age and energy.
- Build music confidence gradually, without formal training.
- Pair songs with props, movement, and books for stronger engagement.
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.
