AJ News

Kelly Leighton Abington Journal Correspondent

Marywood University students will host several Saturday Morning Story Times at the Abington Community Library for children ages 3 to 6 years old.

The Saturdays are Feb. 20, March 20 and April 10, with story time beginning at 11 a.m. Each event will last approximately 45 minutes and will include a story and a corresponding craft. Additionally, each Saturday will have a different theme. The first theme will be “The Jungle,” the second will be “Baby Chicks” and the final will be “Going on a Picnic.”

Sarah Sherman, 23, a junior at Marywood University who organized the story times, said that the “children will be actively engaged throughout its entirety.”

Sherman said that the children will first make introductions among themselves and the volunteers. The group will then read several books, relating to the week’s theme. The Marywood students will ask the children questions about the stories and engage them in conversations.

She said that after the books are read, the children will next work on a theme-related craft. The Marywood student volunteers will describe to the children what they are making and alternative ways to make it. They will remain with the children to assist them if needed. After the craft is complete, the children will be able to discuss what they learned, made or did that day with the rest of the group, said Sherman.

Leah Ducato Rudolph Director of the Abington Community Library added, “The overall goal is for the story times to be fun as well as educational. We were delighted students at Marywood University took up the challenge to assist us.”

Sherman has been working with the Abington Community Library for the past three semesters, coordinating and planning story hours. She said that when Marywood first started planning story hours, the library was helpful in working with the students.

Rudolph noted that the Abington Community Library supported this endeavor by providing the space, books, craft materials and other resources to allow the students to create story times and activities are at their discretion.

“Children who have working parents deserve the same opportunities to develop early literacy habit as children who can attend traditional weekday story times,” said Rudolph. “And early childhood education or elementary education students should have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and lesson plans for this children’s story time and try their hand at teaching. It was a great opportunity for the students to gain invaluable experience within their field of study and develop their level of comfort working with this specific age-group population, as well as a way for Abington Community Library to offer a program that is not only needed within our community but also requested.”

Sherman echoed Rudolph’s statement, “I feel that both the children and the students who volunteer alike really have a fun time at the morning story hours. For the children it is a chance to get out of the house, out from in front of the TV, and use their minds and imaginations while interacting with other children their age.

“For the students who volunteer, it is a great learning experience,” said Sherman. “All of the volunteers are future educators, and the story hours allow us to interact with children in a different setting, practice some of the skills we are learning in the classroom and get a little taste of what may be to come in our futures.”

Sherman said that she personally is most looking forward to the story hour on March 20 because they will be bringing in live baby chicks. She added that she ran the same story hour last year, and “it was an absolute success.”

“It is really fascinating to see the children interact with live baby chicks, especially since most of the children have never seen one before, let alone held one. It’s just precious,” she said.

According to Sherman, Marywood students are involved in every aspect of the story hour. The students assist with setting up and cleaning up, and take turns reading stories. Additionally, they work with the children during the craft time, helping out when needed. “Without our volunteers, none of this would be possible,” she said.

Sherman said that parents are not required to stay with their children, but are welcome to sit in for the story hour if they would like. Between advertising and word of mouth, she said they are hoping for approximately 20 children for each Saturday morning.

Rudolph added, “Current research on early literacy and brain development indicates that it is never too early to prepare children for success as readers. Parents of newborns, toddlers and preschoolers must be informed of their critical role as their children’s first teacher. We are providing role models for parents to emulate and have literally thousands of books that will engage their children, here and at home.”

Parents should register their children ahead of time by stopping at the library, located at 1200 West Grove Street, or calling 570.587.3440.

As for future library events, Marywood students will be presenting an evening story time based on Dr. Seuss Day in March. Additionally, the library will be participating in the Festival of Ice Feb. 11 to 15 and has several activities scheduled for that weekend. The library will also be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a weeklong list of special events and activities from April 10 to 17. These activities and other upcoming events can be accessed through the library Web site, www.lclshome.org/abington or by stopping at the library to pick up a calendar of events and to register.