Guest Post by Executive Director, Kids Need to Read, Jessica Payne

Storytime is a gift we can give to children, fostering their imagination, language development, and emotional growth. It creates a strong bond between children and caregivers, providing an opportunity for connection and shared experiences. Children are made readers on the laps of their parents” is a quote by children’s author Emilie Buchwald and it emphasizes that Making story time a regular part of children’s routines gives them a strong foundation of literacy, creativity, and emotional well-being that will benefit them throughout their lives. It is time to embrace the magic of storytelling and unlock the endless possibilities it holds for children’s growth and development.

It’s good to struggle a bit as you read… The amount of people who feel confident in their reading skills, let alone their reading aloud skills is shockingly small. So let’s talk about it; It is okay to struggle reading aloud to your children. In fact, I would argue that is actually a good thing to have children witness occasional difficulties related to skipping words, misreading, and mispronouncing words. It lets them know that mistakes can happen, it teaches coping skills, and helps children realize that you don’t have to be perfect to enjoy a story.

Imperfect moments create perfect story times

For sure, story time isn’t always perfect for the professionals. One of my Storybook Adventure characters is named Cactus Rose. She is a spirited cowgirl who brings a splash of Western adventure to story time! Decked out in a cactus shirt, a wig reminiscent of a country music star, and a trusty (not quite 10-gallon) pink cowgirl hat, she’s a lively presence, throwing herself into the tales with gusto, often leading to some unforgettable moments.

During a recent visit to the San Gabriel schools, as Cactus Rose I was engrossed in reading There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Cactus by Lucille Collandro. As the story reached its peak—a giant sneeze—excitement and drama won.  In my fervor my wig went one way while my hat went another.

Now, normally, as Cactus Rose I keep my hair slicked back in a tight bun to ensure that the wig stays in place. However, on this particular day, with a much-needed haircut pending, my wig didn’t quite fit as snugly as usual. So, when the hat went flying, so did the wig, much to everyone’s surprise.

No Hair- No Cares. To the children, it seemed as though Cactus Rose had lost her hair! It wasn’t until I scooped up my hat and a teacher returned the wig that I even realized what had happened. Cactus Rose continued on with story time and afterwards distributed books and buddies to each child.

In the end, several children told me with a lot of concern that I had, “lost my hair”.  A quick peek under my hat reassured each and I got big smiles and a “thank you” as each child received their book and buddy. Their smiles and gratitude filled the room, making it clear that even unexpected mishaps couldn’t dampen the joy of story time with Cactus Rose.

You Can Do It!

It is easy to feel inadequate when you are reading aloud. Many of us may still flashback to uncomfortable moments in the classroom and the critical eyes of our peers. But reading to your child is different. It is an adventure for you and they to share. Together you will fight the dragon and reap the literary treasure. The best part is you don’t need to wear a wig to have these special moments with your child.

Starting as a volunteer and working her way to become the current Executive Director of Kids Need to Read, Jessica Payne taught literature for 15 years and is a passionate advocate for literacy access and student service projects. For more information about Kids Need to Read, visit their website and learn how you can support their efforts and put books in the hands of children.