Rules at Library Storytime

Developmentally inappropriate. Storytime is not when children should be learning to sit quietly, but rather how to listen and interact with books. This is not going to help the children get ready for a quality preschool. They should be enagaging the children in choral reading, fill in the blanks for rhyming books, animal sounds, questioning to engage the children, etc.

I must say that if anyone in my book club read to the members for 30 minutes, without interaction from the rest, we'd have a very small book club. And we're not toddlers!

Well all I will say, is I would be kicked out the first day. My kids cant do that at all. Its unrealistic.

As a former children's librarian and mother I would say that you have come across an "old fashioned" stereotypical librarian who would rather say "shhh" than really teach kids to learn to love books and reading. I think that they probably don't really understand young children either. Unfortunately I don't know that there really is very much that you can do about it except keep looking for another program that is better suited for your child. You could let the library manager know that the storytime rules aren't really reasonable for young children, but there is no guarantee that something will be done about it. But, no you aren't being unreasonable to expect that storytime be a little more fun and interactive for your child.

If they don't learn now to respect others while they are speaking, then they never will. A lot of kids these days aren't taught to respect others like they were when I was growing up. This would be a good way for him to learn and sit quietly while an adult is speaking.

If you don't like the program, you don't have to go. Not trying to be mean. But it's a free program. Find your child something else to do like toddler gymnastics if you want free play. But library time is for quiet time and to learn to also respect the library rules.

Those rules are not age appropriate. The whole situation sounds age inappropriate.

Story time for two year olds at our library is 20 minutes. There are two books, two sit down finger plays, two stand up finger plays, and one felt board activity. Kids talk, crawl, try to leave the room, and we all have fun.

To answer your question, do all the kids have trouble sitting through the stories or just yours? You can answer your question that way.

the whole fun of it is to say "mooooooooo" when the page turns to a cow! fun killers - these library folks. I can understand no talking amongst kids or standing up for no reason etc but not making a sound - that is actually hampering their creativity.....

Expecting them to sit perfectly still with no interaction does not sound good to me.

As a teacher (substitute for 10+ yrs), when we have library time, the sitting on the carpet is 15 minutes or less and the children are interacting with the librarian, asking and answering questions.

The same goes in the classroom, as you read to the children, you stop at times to interact, ask questions to see if they are comprehending, and let the children participate in the process.

Yes, they are expected to sit still, criss cross applesauce, hands to yourself but it is not enforced as heavily as it sounds like your library does. The only time we break away to enforce is if someone is just off the charts interupting, etc.

I respect that they want the "order" because the children will be learning proper order in school and this is a good starter but no need to be overly strict.

We did the library story times, and loved it. They weren't super strict, but the kids were expected to sit quietly during the stories. The librarian would gently remind the child by saying "you need to sit down now Sally" or "Connor, it's time to listen". Sometimes there was a child who would be disruptive, and the parents would ususally just take the child out of the room. Stick with it. The more you practice with your child the better it will get. I was able to sit through church services and movies with my kids by the time they were three, and I think this type of activity helped prepare them for that.

I went to story time at several libraries, book stores, and family centers when my kids were toddlers. I've never found that kind of discipline with any of them. And I totally would become a much more frustrated mother if I was expected to keep them seated like that. They may be trying to get them ready for preschool, but even preschool has a little more flexibility than that.

I agree with you. At that age, that's not realistic. I mean, I know there has to be *some* order, or else no one will be able to hear & enjoy the story, but really? I'd talk to the facilitators about this.

First it is completely unreasonable to expect small children especially toddlers to be 100% silent during book time. That is a ridiculous rule. I would talk to the director of the program, voice your concerns and tell them what you have witnessed. Children should be able to communicate with you when they are being read to. Its normal, natural and shouldn't be squashed. I would encourage the leader to take some courses in child development so he/she knows what little ones are capable of. Yes, they can and should learn to sit quietly--but this is overkill. I would be livid it if this is how my library was run. GL

I think this is a good learning experience for little ones. No matter how cute they are being they do need to start developing the ability to sit quietly for a few minutes at this time. If it is just one book or even 2 short ones they should be learning to do this by now. It is a learning process. They will get it in a month or two if it's consistent.

I think that expecting a small child to sit silently for many many books is unreasonable. The way ours ran was the leader would read a book or maybe 2, allow interaction (and encourage it) and then do a finger play or a dance or a flannel board story and then read another book. Rules were that the children needed to pay reasonable attention, stay away from the materials, caregivers and parents should interact with their children but not talk to each other or talk no the phone, no food and if the child was disruptive or unhappy, to take them out til they could sit quietly. It's not about not respecting someone. Frankly, if the book says, "And the ducks say, Quack!" then why not let the kids say Quack? There's a difference between being disruptive and learning to love reading and interacting with the instructor.

I also think that if the leaders are jumping in too soon then the parents feel stress to keep their kids silent and it's no fun for anybody. It's not church. It's story time for 3 yr olds.

I would look for a parent Meet Up group. Our local Meet Up was a godsend to me when I started freelancing with DD when she was 18 months old. I found other story activities (often with crafts) at Pottery Barn (for example) that I would never have known about. And one at a small museum 15 mins from me. And one at a nature center on Saturdays. Etc. So I'd take a broader look around for something more suited to your needs.

That is beyond rediculous. A toddler will learn and act better if they are allowed to interact! Besides what school teacher will not allow a child to say moo when a cow appears! I would be finding a new place to go or start one of your own. I would also ask them if they have a child, because obviously either they have non responsive child ( no offense meant to those who do) or they do not have children!

Not every toddler is "ready" for story time. My older two were easy, my youngest, not so much :(
If your child gets antsy, quietly scoop him up and go for a walk, no biggie.
I make it a habit NEVER to complain about anything that's free, I have been a volunteer for way too many years. Spend a few months leading these programs and you will change your tune, I promise!

Yeah, totally lame. Is it the same person who reads the books each time, or are there different people with the same strict rules? If it's just one person I would possibly chalk it up to just them and consider approaching the manager of leader of the program. You could simply say basically what you said here and sort of see how the conversation goes.

If it's everyone, well, that is just odd. I mean part of learning is to interact with the story and although I get they don't want disruptions in other forms like conversations and trying to interrupt the reader (which is a common toddler approach to communication ;) I agree that animal sounds, etc. should be tolerated. I guess maybe I would talk to the other moms and see if they feel the same way. If they do maybe elect (or volunteer) someone to be The One to approach the staff.

Also, I'd like to say that although I don't know many options in your neighborhood I know you can find free story times at all the Barnes and Nobles stores and sometimes they have characters appear. It's not usually real long, but it's something. Also, gymnastics gyms and community centers usually have open play days and although aren't usually free are usually only about $5.

Good luck though, hope you get this resolved cuz it sounds cool!

I think nearly everyone was right on: extremely developmentally inappropriate. I used to teach toddlers and preschoolers: group gathering times always went better and the kids got more out of them if I allowed them to participate in appropriate ways.

At this age, I agree that finding meetups, local group get-togethers for parents, all-age music events and even the park are preferable to what your library is offering. Your child will learn so much more without the strict structure--and at this age, they are really learning how to socialize in a friendly way, to play near other kids, etc.

You could always just go for the play portion, and duck out when the Shushing Librarian is about to shut down the fun... :) And in the future, a good preschool teacher will help to guide your son so that he learns when it's time to be up and about and when it's time to listen.

Theoretically speaking, if they are offering a free program then they get to set the rules. I can't see what saying anything would do but alienate you and your son from the program. Personally, I'd find another site if he can't meet their expectations.

If my guy was there we would be thrown out, I'm sure, because he gets excited and animated, and likes to have fun when being read to ; )

Do they have a separate room for this (most libraries do) or are they worried that the children will disturb the other patrons? How are they advertising this program? are they trying to have older 3's and 4's? Is there a different story time for two yr olds? Do they offer the same program at another branch with another librarian? I would drive to another branch as try it out. If not, write a letter to the head of the children's department, thanking them for this program, listing all the great things and the not so great things about this program.
Can you go the beginning play time, stay for one or two stories and then leave or go somewhere else in the library to read your own stories?

My friend had the same problem when she took her (then) toddler to a similar library program at Downers Grove. They were really strict and chastised her son, who was a very well behaved boy. She never brought her son back after they kept shushing him when he got excited about story time. What a great way to get kids excited to read, huh?

Anyway, some kids may enjoy this program, but it doesn't sound like much fun for you and your son. Sorry, I don't have any recommendations for you, but I think you should keep looking. Good luck!

Well it IS a library...others expect quiet in a library as some are trying to study or read or do other work. It's not unreasonable to expect children to be quiet & behave themselves b/c that's what's expected in a library; afterall, it's not a daycare, it's a library. Other's are there trying to do work or study, etc. However, if the library decides to host a kids story time, to me, it IS unreasonable if the library hosts story time for children & not expect the kids to interact which I think is the whole point of story time. IMO the library really should host the story time in a separate, enclosed room so that kids can participate & are less disturbing to others in the library. I'm one that cannot stand to go to a library & have my study time or the quietness that I expect in a library disturbed by hollering or loudness from kids or misbehaving children. Granted our library started having story time too & the kids interacted w/the hostess and w/the story, in fact, it was encouraged but they also had a separate room that they could have & should have used for this, but they didn't. They had story time right in the middle of the floor in the main area. It was very annoying having loud or shrieking kids disturb the quiet when the library should've taken in account other patrons' comfort in this respect. If you have questions regarding this, you can always talk to the librarian or whomever is in charge & see what the protocol is. You can always suggest to the hostess about using a seperate, enclosed room for story time so that the kids can participate & enjoy it too. Good luck!