How to Reach Parents During Library Storytime

If you conduct library storytimes or host literacy events then I'm sure you care about the literacy education of your audience. I know I did when I hosted weekly preschool library story times at an Air Force library in Germany. (Fun fact: We lived in Germany for 3 years!)

Parents/caregivers are SUCH a big factor in long-term literacy success in children so doesn't it make sense we loop them in our planning as well? While working at the library in Germany I came up with an easy way to help reach parents during library storytimes!

Extend your storytime theme and objectives with at-home learning ideas, and learning descriptions, and share other resources your library has to offer! How?! You may be asking? With simple cards like the ones below!

Many parents who bring their children to storytime want to be involved in their child’s education but are not sure how. These cards help parents extend learning past your story time by educating parents on what their child is learning and why, how to find related resources, and provides at-home learning extension ideas!

Feel free to create your own, or save yourself time by snagging mine!

All cards are editable in Canva!

16 card designs that are shared as a template in Canva *You MUST have a Canva account to be able to access this file. It's free! When the template is copied into your Canva account, you can: -change the fonts -change the colors -insert your own images -insert your logo, store, library, or site name -layer other graphics offered in Canva on top of the design From there, you simply download and print your cards!

The template includes the following themes:

• Self Control

• Fine Motor Skills

• Healthy Eating

• Money

• Kittens & Mittens

• Super Heros

• Bundle Up

• Dots and Spots

• Art

• Owls

• Chinese New Year

• Thanksgiving

• Holiday Rhyming

• St. Patricks Day

• Dragons

** Feel free to use the cards to create your own themes based on your story times!

How I Used Them

When I would host a storytime at my local library I would send parents home with one of these cards that would accompany the lesson or focus of the storytime. You can lay them out for parents to pick up or physically pass them out.

How You Can Use Them

1. Find the card/ theme you want to do for your next storytime.

2. Find an "on-theme" book, songs, crafts etc. at your library.

3. Edit the card with your library's details.

4. Edit anything else you want!

5. Print (I would print two to a page to save paper!)

6. Pass out to parents at your storytime!

Click here to grab these for your next storytime!

Lindsey is a former elementary teacher with a passion for education. She loves supporting teachers and students with resources that make an impact on the lives of students!

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