Little Bang Discovery Club Training Workshop
Date attended: 17 May 2024
Content Focus: Developing and facilitating Children’s storytime programs which integrate STEAM understanding and engagement, alongside regular literacy development and engagement.
Type: Online meeting and presentation via zoom
Length: 3 hours
Audience: Camden Library Staff (whose role involves facilitating Children’s programs)
Organisers: Children’s Discovery
Presenters:
Wendy Preston (Degree in Applied Science of Phys Ed, Masters in Early Childhood, Program developer and facilitator for Inquisitive Kids Science Excursions)
Reflection:
The Little Bang storytime science programs developed by Children’s Discovery aim to incorporate elements and comprehension of STEAM into library storytimes and events. With the inclusion of experiments and crafts which relate to the themes and characters represented in books and stories read during the program, children are given the opportunity to create connections and develop comprehension around the subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths; topics which are usually under-represented within early years library programs.
My work responsibilities, as a Library Assistant at Camden Council Libraries, include facilitating regular early years children’s programs, school holiday events and developing and updating children’s resources. The opportunity to attend the Little Bang storytime presentation became available to me as a professional development opportunity offered by my workplace due to these responsibilities.
The presentation was also highly insightful for my study and work, as I hope to complete my bachelors with a major in Children’s Librarianship. By attending the presentation, I was able to see how non-traditional library themes and skills can be interwoven and included in children’s literacy development and engagement.
A large focus highlighted in the Little Bang storytime program is the encouragement of children to explore, experiment, and engage with new ideas and materials. The program follows a four-step principle, in which children conduct simple STEM experiments, such as sorting, classifying, and measuring materials which may mirror characters or items within the stories they have read together. The program also developed my understanding of Montessori-style learning for early years children, as it concentrates on allowing the children the space and time to self-lead in activities and develop their own skills in thinking and comprehension.
I will apply my learning to my future work endeavors when developing early years children’s programs, ensuring that children have the opportunity to learn new skills through their engagement with stories. By advocating for the inclusion of STEM items and crafts in library storytimes, I will be able to encourage children to explore their ideas, develop connections in their thinking, and learn that there are a multitude of ways to comprehend, engage and interact with stories.
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