Go Barefoot - Pre-schoolers!

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STORYTELLING ADVENTURES!
Go Barefoot:
by Joanne Gail Johnson
Sponsored By: Nestle/Klim

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It was a real joy to see the beautiful library spaces in communities outside of Port-of-Spain - well done NALIS!

Here's Joanne waiting for the YTEPP Pre-schoolers in Maloney. See? The computer desktop hosts Joanne's site www.caribbeanchildren.com

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Activity: Get Touchy Feely

While most adults are stuck in the intellect, children still learn naturally from all their senses, Encourage this by offering kids items that relate to the story in some way (either directly or indirectly). Let them see, touch, hold, listen to, taste, talk about...

Joanne explains: "When I showed this group the seashell, I was holding it straight up. I asked what it was and they all said,"An ice cream cone!" So I went ahead and tasted it! There is no ice cream cone in Go Barefoot, but this is how the moment allows us to explore the lesson at hand. From that moment of imagination, a playful tone was enjoyed throughout our session."

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Follow Up Activity:

Stretch their imaginations by taking an object with and interesting shape and asking -What else could this be? Pass it around allowing each child to hold it and pretend/ demonstrate. e.g. A seashell could be an ice cream cone, or a telephone!

We listened to the Go Barefoot Read Along CD.Let's listen and turn the page everytime Panman rolls his tenor! Can you hear the rhyming words?

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Activity: Rhyme & Rhythm:

Let the children join in as you initiate old familiar rhymes. Ask for and help recite their favorites: Twinkle Twinkle, Humpty Dumpty etc.. Allow kids to 'show off' if they feel brave.

Point out the sound of the rhyming words and find others that MATCH/ sound similar: Hand - sand - land - band. Do silly words too! zoo rhymes with do, you, and moo moo (say it like a cow) or alakazoo (wave your hand like a magician) !

Hand out musical instruments to those who feel inclined (don't force anyone). Shake the shak-shak/ bong the drum/twist the rain stick/ toot the flute to the beat. Pre-Scoolers love to help and practice manners. This little girl used the tray and gracefully collected all the play items. Saying please and thank you was also part of the activity.

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At this age it is important to respect that for little ones ( the youngest was a bright and confident 2 year old!) -just the trip in a bus from school to a new place called the library is a Life lesson in itself.

Spend lots of time finding things to congratulate them and compliment them about.

Joanne spent twenty minutes allowing each child to come to the front of the group and introduce themselves:

• My name is _______.
• I am __ years old.
• I like to _______.

Encourage them to speak in full sentences saying the words for them and having them repeat after you. Give them permission to use their BIG, BOLD, BRAVE voices - as loud as they feel!Then each child took a FEEL GOOD bow! Ta-Da! and received a gift bag from Nestle. Those in the audience learn to offer attention - they listen and clap for those 'on stage'.

Practice confidence and self-esteem building in this way with the youngest of children. Again, do not force but encourage them. One child felt very brave before coming up and then could say nothing at all. Joanne whispered with him and hugged him. That was enough!

Thanks to Nestle Klim, for a GREAT start to our Storytelling Adventures!

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Joanne Gail Johnson

www.caribbeanchildren.com