As a children’s librarian, you’ve likely encountered the common and perplexing issue of caregivers becoming distracted by their digital devices during storytime. While the ubiquity of smartphones and tablets has transformed how we connect, it has also introduced new challenges in preserving the vital caregiver-child bond during these crucial early learning experiences.
At Café Mila, we understand the delicate balance between embracing technology and nurturing authentic human interactions. That’s why we’ve curated a thoughtful approach to addressing this challenge, drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of child development experts like Fred Rogers and the real-world experiences shared by fellow librarians.
Encouraging Simple Interactions
Traditionally, storytimes have centered around the librarian’s engagement with the children. But what if we shifted the focus to encourage more meaningful interactions between the caregivers and their little ones? By prompting children to talk with their adults about a question in a story, or offering multiple copies of a book to facilitate choral readings, we can create opportunities for caregivers to truly connect with their children.
“How could I take advantage of caregivers’ presence to shift focus away from myself, and encourage the simple interactions between them that build relationships?” ponders Alison Loewen, a Youth Services Librarian. “What would happen if I prompted children to talk with their adults instead of me about a question in a story, or offered multiple copies of a book and led choral readings, rather than me reading aloud to the group?”
Loewen’s experiments revealed that these small shifts could have a profound impact. “Shyer children opened up, and most snuggled up to their caregivers. There were some chaotic and noisy moments, but nobody seemed to mind in the context of the larger program.”
By consciously creating opportunities for caregivers to engage with their children, we can foster those vital “serve and return” interactions that are so crucial for early learning and development.
Harnessing the Power of Technology
The idea of building relationships in the presence of technology may seem counterintuitive, but as Loewen discovered, carefully curated content can actually prompt meaningful caregiver-child interactions.
“I was curious if I could cultivate similar interactions with less traditional storytime activities inspired by Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Loewen shares. To her delight, she found that clips from the beloved series had the power to inspire “serve and return” conversations, with children and caregivers narrating what they saw and commenting back and forth.
“Clips with instrumental backgrounds and those that take children to places they would not otherwise go, like a factory tour, pique children’s curiosity, inspiring them to ask questions to which caregivers respond,” Loewen explains. “This may be as simple as describing what they see and pointing at the screen, to more complex associations and connections to their own life.”
These interactive moments not only stimulate learning, but also help strengthen the bond between child and caregiver. Families have even reported that the clips inspired further interactions at home, allowing them to connect in ways they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Singing, Moving, and Playing Together
Drawing further inspiration from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Loewen reconsidered her approach to music and movement activities, aiming to create playful, child-led moments that empower caregivers and children to work together.
“The song ‘Today is a Special Day’ is exceptional in its ability to help create a playful moment between caregiver and child,” she shares. “I’ve used this song to encourage adults and children to form the letter ‘v’ shape with their bodies. Caregivers modeled lifting their arms, or using their fingers or legs, and children both followed their lead and invented their own ways. We made these shapes each time we heard the word ‘very’ (30 times in 45 seconds). The room filled with giggles and smiles, with all families moving differently together.”
Activities like these not only foster joyful interactions, but also reinforce the idea that caregivers are their child’s best teachers. “Another song that can be a platform for this sort of caregiver and child interaction is ‘Everything Grows Together,’” Loewen adds. “Sometimes I model and the group copies, other times children or adults come up with movements, or the pair just talks about what they could do.”
By intentionally designing storytime activities that encourage shared experiences and decision-making, we empower caregivers to take an active role in their child’s learning and development.
Cultivating Mindfulness and Empathy
While the temptation to reach for a device during storytime can be strong, it’s important to remember that there may be more going on than meets the eye. As Loewen reflects, “Relationships between children and adults play a vital role in children’s emotional and educational learning, and can be strengthened through simple interactions. Just as librarians are intentional about early literacy and the books we choose to share, we can also be intentional about designing storytimes that nurture relationships.”
Librarian and storytime facilitator Jbrary shares a similar perspective: “I think part of this also comes down to finding that bit of magic where your storytime content and delivery style is engaging for all ages. Throw in the odd little joke or tidbit for the adults (‘The babies on the bus go ‘wah, wah, wah’ all through the town — we’ve all been there, right? So parents, what are we going to say to those babies?’). Celebrate your mistakes to show them it’s ok if they don’t remember the words to a song (‘Oops, I got myself a bit mixed up with those verses, but we’ll sing the correct one now!’).”
By approaching the challenge with empathy and a willingness to adapt, we can create an environment that nurtures the caregiver-child bond while still embracing the role of technology in our lives.
Reimagining Storytime in a Digital World
In the end, the key to addressing the issue of caregivers on devices during storytime lies in striking a delicate balance – one that honors the importance of human connection while also recognizing the realities of our digital landscape.
As Alison Loewen so eloquently states, “Relationships between children and adults play a vital role in children’s emotional and educational learning, and can be strengthened through simple interactions. Just as librarians are intentional about early literacy and the books we choose to share, we can also be intentional about designing storytimes that nurture relationships.”
At Café Mila, we’re committed to fostering these meaningful connections, whether through mindful technology use, engaging activities, or simply creating a welcoming space for families to bond. By embracing a holistic approach that celebrates the best of both the digital and analog worlds, we can ensure that storytime remains a cherished, enriching experience for all.
So the next time you find yourself faced with the challenge of caregivers on devices, remember the wisdom of child development experts, the insights of your fellow librarians, and the power of cultivating a space that brings families together. With a little creativity and a whole lot of heart, you can transform storytime into a truly transformative experience for both children and their caregivers.
