Get ready to break out of your storytime routine by encouraging children's natural instincts to move, sing, and play! Unlike traditional storytimes, where children are expected to sit quietly and just watch, music and movement storytimes encourage children to learn by getting inside stories while interacting with others. Research shows that this kind of play stimulates the senses, provides connections to all four lobes of the brain, touches on a variety of intelligences, and heightens emotional and social awareness all while extending the early literacy practices of Every Child Ready to Read and preparing children for school. And because there are no crafts to cut out, no snacks to pack, no scripts to memorize, and no story kits to make, it s one of the simplest, most cost-effective storytime models to implement.

An overview of movement & music storytime -- Movement, music and early learning -- Designing movement & music storytime -- Material selection -- Leading movement & music storytime -- Infant movement & music storytime plans -- Toddler movement & music storytime plans -- Preschool movement & music storytime plans -- All ages movement & music storytime plans -- Recommended Resources.