Play and Stories

Parents are looking for programs with active learning. "Play and Stories" is a better title than "Storytime". The following quote is a discussion of why "Storytime" is not the best title for Spanish speaking families. (Other adults have expressed the same concerns.) "STORYTIME: What’s in a Name?" “The word storytime has many connotations in English. For parents, the word often invokes memories of the library from their childhood and is understood to be a part of how they prepare their own child for school success. The term storytime means something beyond just the literal meaning of the word. This implied meaning may be lost with a literal translation of storytime, such as Tiempo de cuentos. For families who do not have a history of attending storytime, this translation may sound too stiff. Families may think the program requires being very quiet and still. They may be concerned that their child is too active and might become bored or cause a distraction. Consider giving the program a title that is less focused on stories and reading and that implies more about what contemporary storytime actually is, such as Bebês Juguetones (Playful Babies), Juega y Aprende (Play and Learn), or Colorin Colorado! Ca phrase Spanish speakers will recognize that is often used at the end of storytelling).” from Once Upon a Cuento: Bilingual Storytimes in English and Spanish by Jamie Campbell Naidoo and Katie Scherer