Many days after story time, I offer a simple collage project, which is reassuringly the same and often surprisingly different.
Vocabulary
Parents and children discuss the images, words, letters, pictures and stickers with pictures, words and letters that the children pick out, how they will be arranged, how to use the glue and how to share, etc.
Letter Knowledge
Beginning readers read words and younger kids look for and identify letters they know among the collage materials. Everyone loves the weeks the Ellison die cut letters come out and kids and parents form the children's names on pieces of paper or strips of matboard.
The letters are often cut from book jackets or the pages of worn out books and have a lot of interest in themselves and encourage discussion about books.
Everyone's favorite word is their own name!
Narrative Skills
Besides vocabulary, children practice sequencing while constructing their masterpieces. And kids often tell stories as they go. Some families report having an entire wall of art projects from the library! Bringing the projects home also prompts children to tell other people in their familes about story time.
Print Awareness
Hearing interest in certain pictures results in me finding appropriate library materials for kids, helping them bring home books that will extend their interests.
Community
I believe that crafts enhance and extend the story time experience, encouraging the develpment of the early literacy skills and help build community as folks work together. The librarian, parents and former strangers admire and affirm the work of the children who love to show what they have created.
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