One of our Summer events this year was the weekly story time at the Public Library. This program has a puppet show, stories, movement songs, a cartoon and finger plays. Its probably meant for 2-4 year olds. We are 5 1/2 and I think we get more out of it than the 2 year olds. Pookie and Geetle love it. Geetle follows the plot of the puppet show, which has been serialized for the full session. Each week we get one more clue to the big mystery…what happened to Zak and Zelda’s dog Briarly? Pookie loves it for the entertainment value. He loves the songs, he loves the stories, he loves the cartoons.

Our goals for attending storytime was to give Pookie a chance to practice his large group skills. How to sit still, how to listen, how to participate. The room is big and chaotic, lots of noise. I usually have Giggles in the sling or stroller, Geetle at one elbow and Pookie somewhere within 6 feet of me. We all sit on the floor so the groups slowly drift into each other, toddlers and preschoolers oozing from one spot to another. The kids get up and down 3-4 times throughout the 45 minute show, to act out plays and songs. I worried about Pookie and how he would do. I have a few strategies.

1. I always bring him a “mark.” Sometimes its a blanket spread on the floor, sometimes its just Giggles’ changing pad. Something that shows him where he is supposed to be, to keep him from drifting.

2. I set clear expectations and a schedule. First we will listen to story time, then we will play in the kids area. First this, then that.

3. I require a bathroom attempt prior to showtime.

4. I bring his Quiet bracelet for silence during the cartoon.

Because the room is so crowded and chaotic and I bring 3 kids, I realized I never had the time/opportunity to do a “Hand-over-Hand” with Pookie to show him how to participate in the movement songs. Other than my basic strategy above, I did not do anything to make this a “large group behavior lesson.” Had I blown the entire thing? But, I should not have worried, he has no problem with it. Check out this video of our boy. Watch for the Rock and Roll finger.