From Lullabies to Literature: Stories in the Lives of Infants and Toddlers
The ability to use language (speak, read, write) is not something that children suddenly or automatically develop.
It is a culmination of experiences with language that begin at birth. Sharing stories, oral storytelling and book, and other "story experiences" such as, conversations, songs, poems, and rhymes, with infants and toddlers is critical to building their emerging literacy skills. At the same time, it expands their experience and understanding of the world and is a wonderful opportunity for fostering close relationships between child and adult.
Sprinkled with helpful and delightful vignettes and ideas for stories to share, From Lullabies to Literature explains how the many types of stories are best used with very young children, with a particular focus on using books, and how caregivers can plan and provide story experiences most effectively, including by partnering with families.
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Jennifer Birckmayer has been an early childhood educator, speaker, lecturer, and author for more than forty years. She recently retired from her position as senior extension associate for the Department of Human Development at Cornell University (New York, USA). She is a consultant/trainer for Libraries for the Future, Family Place Libraries, and the State University of New York Early Childhood Training Strategies Group. Among her publications are Bookstart (with B.J. Westendorf) and Discipline Is Not a Dirty Word.
Anne Kennedy has worked in the field of early childhood education for more than thirty years as a teacher and child care director and also as a teacher educator at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia). Dr. Kennedy's research and publications have focused mainly on ethics in early childhood education and early literacy. She is currently the chairperson of Community Childcare Victoria, which represents community-owned children's services, including long day care, family child care, and out of school hours care.
Anne Stonehouse is an early childhood education leader in both the United States and Australia. She has worked for more than thirty-five years as a trainer, academic, consultant, conference speaker, and writer. She has authored a number of publications, including Prime Times (with J. Greenman and G. Schweikert) and Making Links (with J. Gonzalez-Mena). In 1999 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia, an honor that recognized her outstanding contributions to early childhood education in Australia and beyond.
I knew from the title From Lullabies to Literature that these authors get it: A child's emotional and intellectual development begin at birth, with the first lullaby! As caregivers tell stories to young children or encourage children to create their own stories, this book helps to identify how story experiences facilitate communication, connection, and growth. --Isabel Baker, president of The Book Vine for Children
This resource is a reminder of the central importance of rich oral language interactions and close interpersonal relationships. The authors promote story-centered interactions with infants and toddlers in a way that caregivers can easily and joyfully follow! --Laurie Makin, Early Language and Literacy Advisor, coauthor of How to Develop Children's Early Literacy
The authors have given us a great gift: a delightful book that explains a myriad of practical and inspiring ways for caregivers and families to thoroughly enjoy sharing stories with all infants and toddlers. I certainly gathered many wonderful ideas about enthusiastic storytelling from this book! --Diane Trister Dodge, founder and president of Teaching Strategies, Inc., coauthor of The Creative Curriculum series
