[OPLINLIST] Starting Sensory Story Times

[SWON Info]

At yesterday’s Picture Book Read-In, Tricia Twarogowski shared some of 
her experiences in setting up Sensory Story Times for kids who have 
special needs. These programs are designed for children on the autism 
spectrum or with sensory processing disorder, though they’re also 
appropriate (and welcoming) to all kids.

In Sensory Story Times, they’re careful to include and exclude sensory 
stimuli to help kids participate. So they include singing songs, but 
they exclude sharp, loud sounds like hand claps. They do knee claps 
instead. They try to use natural light instead of overhead lighting when 
possible, since fluorescent lights flicker and buzz. The program leaders 
don’t wear perfume or use scented products, which some kids are 
sensitive to.

Details like these, along with lots of other information, are available 
at the Libraries and Autism website 
<http://www.librariesandautism.org/strategies.htm>. There are videos to 
watch, articles to read, and resources to download. It’s a great 
website, whether you’re just starting your research or are looking for 
books to use in programs you’re running.

Creating a welcoming environment for children with special needs extends 
beyond the program and the room where it happens. It’s in the way the 
kids and their parents are treated the whole time they’re in the 
library. So Tricia helps library staff get ready for Sensory Story Times 
by coaching them about how to help a young person who doesn’t make eye 
contact or behaves in unexpected ways.

Tricia is currently the Branch Manager at the Northwest Akron Branch of 
Akron-Summit County Public Library. You can watch a video about the 
Sensory Story Time they host 
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwAT88XQsK4> and even email her with 
questions, at ttwarogowski at akronlibrary.org 
<mailto:ttwarogowski at akronlibrary.org>. Her talk yesterday was a great 
contribution to a fun day with picture books. Thanks Tricia!

  * Nathan Swartzendruber, SWON Technology Educator

------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Kids Programming at the Summer Reading Workshop

Looking for new kids programming ideas? SWON’s Summer Reading Workshop 
<http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=442469&group=> on 
September 22nd has a full day of it. Although there’s plenty of Summer 
Reading discussion, most of the day will be spent talking about programs 
you can use whenever you wish. Space is limited, so register today 
<http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=442469&group=>!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect to SWON online: Website <http://www.swonlibraries.org/> : 
Calendar <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_list.asp> : Facebook 
<https://www.facebook.com/SWONLibraries?sk=wall> : Twitter 
<http://twitter.com/swonlibraries>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calendar excerpts from the next two weeks. (Please register for online 
classes at least two days before they take place.)

  * *Assets to Action: A Common Sense Approach to Youth in the Library
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=454748&group=>* -
    (8/28/2014) - Online
  * *SWON Office Closed for Labor Day* - (9/1/2014)
  * *Public Library Adult Program Planners Network (PLAPPN SIG) Meeting
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=437172&group=>* -
    (9/3/2014) - Kenton County PL, Independence Branch
  * *When, What and Why to Delegate to Your Employees
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=465949&group=>* -
    (9/4/2014) - Online
  * *Teen Services (Special Interest Group) Meeting
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=437176&group=>* -
    (9/5/2014) - Dayton Metro Library, Wilmington-Stroop Branch
  * *Navigating Japanese Media: Manga and Anime
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=465350&group=>* -
    (9/9/2014) - Online
  * *ROYAL Review (Special Interest Group) Meeting
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=437494&group=>* (9/9/2014)
    - SWON Meeting Room
  * *ROYAL Review (Special Interest Group) Meeting
    <http://swonlibraries.org/events/event_details.asp?id=437504&group=>* (9/9/2014)
    - Kenton County PL, Covington Branch

SWON Libraries - http://www.swonlibraries.org<http://www.swonlibraries.org>
10250 Alliance Road, Suite 225
Blue Ash, OH 45242
phone (513) 751-4422 - fax (513) 751-0463
To subscribe or be removed from SWON's Events list, click 
here:http://lists.swonlibraries.org/mailman/listinfo/events
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplinlist/attachments/20140827/94573384/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 392 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplinlist/attachments/20140827/94573384/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 136 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplinlist/attachments/20140827/94573384/attachment-0001.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 153 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplinlist/attachments/20140827/94573384/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 223 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplinlist/attachments/20140827/94573384/attachment-0003.png>