Stories, songs, and stretches! : creating playful storytimes with yoga and movement

Title:

Author:

Scherrer, Katie author

ISBN:

9780838915448

Publication:

Chicago : ALA Editions, an imprint of the American Library Association, 2017.

Physical Description:

xi, 100 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

Contents:

An introduction to yoga -- Yoga, movement, and early learning -- Yoga storytime fundamentals -- Basic yoga poses for yoga storytime -- Ready-to-use yoga storytime plans -- Recommended resources for yoga storytime programming.

Abstract:

"Young children love to move--and that's a great thing! Because in addition to supporting early learning, storytime can provide young children with opportunities to explore physical movement. The centuries-old contemplative movement practice known as yoga is more than just a passing trend; it can offer physical, emotional, and mental benefits to practitioners of all ages, including young children. And getting started with yoga storytime doesn't require any previous yoga experience. This new book from accomplished library trainer Scherrer shows how to use yoga and movement to create playful, active storytimes"-- Publisher's website.

Subject Term:

Children's libraries -- Activity programs -- United States.

Libraries and preschool children -- United States.

Yoga -- Study and teaching (Preschool) -- Activity programs.

Children's libraries -- Activity programs. (OCoLC)fst00855783

Libraries and preschool children. (OCoLC)fst00997555

Geographic Term:

United States.

Local Subject:

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COLLECTION

Available:

Library	Call Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... State Library of Oregon	027.625 Scher	4-Week Loan	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Young children love to move--and that's a great thing! Because in addition to supporting early learning, storytime can provide young children with opportunities to explore physical movement. The centuries-old contemplative movement practice known as yoga is more than just a passing trend; it can offer physical, emotional, and mental benefits to practitioners of all ages, including young children. And getting started with yoga storytime doesn't require any previous yoga experience. This new book from accomplished library trainer Scherrer shows how to use yoga and movement to create playful, active storytimes. A complete guide for library staff and others serving young children, this resource draws on Scherrer's experience as a children's librarian and a yoga teacher, as well as research from the health and education fields, to

introduce yoga, exploring its history while dispelling myths about the practice; demonstrate how yoga and movement can support children's early learning and social-emotional development; explain the differences between children's yoga classes and yoga storytimes; lay out step-by-step directions on how to design and launch a yoga storytime program, including guidance on materials selection, the logistical arrangements of physical space, props, and marketing; provide descriptions of more than 35 basic, child-friendly yoga poses suitable for anyone to use with children; offer 12 ready-to-use yoga storytime plans; and include an extensive bibliography of helpful print and online resources for future program planning.

Readers will find the complete guidance they need to immediately begin incorporating yoga and movement into their storytime programs.

Summary:

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

An overview of how to conduct a storytime yoga program for three- to six-year-olds and their parents or caregivers. Scherrer covers the basics of yoga, discusses how yoga and movement impact early learning, and offers 13 basic yoga poses with 35 variations, accompanied by simple line drawings. She provides "movement extensions" for the poses (for instance, ask kids to moo and meow as they move through cow and cat pose) and relevant early learning tie-ins (books, rhymes, etc.). There are 12 themed yoga storytimes, each of which is designed to last roughly 45 minutes, with suggestions for books, songs, movements, and yoga poses. The final chapter includes a list of recommended resources and a bibliography of the materials used in the storytimes. Though the title clearly presents solid information, readers will benefit from hands-on knowledge of yoga to most effectively carry out the programs; librarians who are unfamiliar with the practice may want to take classes. VERDICT Those curious about starting a yoga storytime program will find this slim volume a solid jumping-off point.-Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Scherrer aims to propel storytimes into a new realm of engagement. Movement and basic yoga poses can be used to enhance, not replace, traditional early literacy practices. This guide offers a balance of approaches, both for storytime professionals with yoga experience or libraries looking to bring in outside yoga professionals for programming. In addition, people in early education or child care can also get tips as well. The benefits for incorporating this kind of movement go beyond its current popularity. Yoga can help build attention, practice body movement, and boost mood and emotion. Movement activities are tools for storytime, just as fingerplays and songs are used. The ideal audience for this kind of storytime is three- to six-year-olds, with the emphasis not on perfection but on exploration. Resources abound in this text, as the author provides 13 basic poses and instructions for how to explain them to young children. Each pose is supported by early learning tie-ins (such as sounds, letter connections, opposites, etc.) and movement extensions (songs, motion directions, and science). Lesson plans complete this resource, which allows interested professionals to explore this new type of storytime with support before creating their own. Programming professionals will find this a worthwhile resource to enhance their current programs.--Ranucci, Blaire Copyright 2017 Booklist