[Publib] Story Time for Special Needs Children

[Jesse Ephraim]

>Has anybody done anything similar?

There is a group of special needs high school kids who go through an enrichment program at one of the local elementary schools each summer.  During the summer I do in-library storytelling (as opposed to story reading) for them on an as-needs basis - the teacher calls and requests certain dates and times.  

After doing this for a couple of years and talking to the teacher extensively, I have found that this particular group likes to hear a couple of stories and then take a tour of the library to see what has changed since they last visited.  I'm one of the storytellers in the library, and have an ever-growing list of stories that I write specifically to be suitable for all ages.  I'm pretty energetic when I'm telling a story, which has worked out well with this group - the constant movements that I make while telling a story (falls, dances, jumps, magic tricks, etc.) tends to help them to stay focused.

We collaborate a lot with a local nature center, so we often have hands-on nature displays in the library.  The kids are always fascinated with the displays, and their tactile nature makes them even more appealing.

My father worked at a local MHMR facility for 20+ years, so I grew up around people with assorted neurological conditions.  He ran the Foster Grandparent program, which paired indigent elderly employees with the residents of the state school.  They would spend a few hours each day working one-on-one (or one-on-two) with the residents on fun, stimulating activities.  The activities that worked best were usually craft or dance-related.  Many of the crafts revolved around wrapping something - making cloth hangers, doing macramé, wrapping cord around cans to make pen holders, etc.  They also did a lot of painting (mostly ceramics).  Most important, of course, was the individual attention and conversation they had with the caregivers, which is often difficult to find in state institutions.

You have already chosen the best mix of activities for this patron group - music, craft, and movement.  When it comes to music, you may want to consider inviting a bluegrass group to play at one of the storytimes.  They tend to be energetic, don't need speakers and microphones (since everything is acoustic), have easily-portable instruments, frequently mix stories and jokes in with the music, and are eager to widen people's exposure to bluegrass.  

When it comes to movement activities, the most popular form of dance at the state school my father worked in was square dancing.  Since it is a group dance, rather than a 2-partner or solo style, it can be done with a variety of ages.  More experienced dancers can easily lead new ones, so it is something that can be done with a minimum of instruction (when it comes to the most basic dances, of course).  Like bluegrass bands, square dance groups are often very eager to increase the public exposure of their particular style.  

If you have a local robotics hobbyist group, they might be able to do some demonstrations for the storytimes.  They tend to be enthusiastic and love to show off their inventions (many of which are very entertaining).  I have seen a local group do demonstrations at various venues, and they always go over well, even in mixed-age groups.  Since the essence of the demonstrations is movement-based, they tend to appeal to everyone.

Jesse Ephraim

Adult Services Librarian
Southlake Public Library
1400 Main Street, Suite 130
Southlake, TX  76092
(817) 748-8247
jephraim at ci.southlake.tx.us

"A circulating library in a town is as an evergreen tree of diabolical knowledge."
     - Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816)