Last updated at 11:27, Thursday, 28 February 2013

AS storytelling sessions go, the one held at Newbarns Children’s Centre was as much fun as they get.

STORY TIME Children’s services worker Tracy Mullen with centre member Nancy Hurley, aged two, at the storytelling session pictures by JON GRANGER REF: 50044528B002

Animated children darted around the room attaching their drawings and paper flowers to branches. Nobody was told to be quiet, instead chatter was positively encouraged.

This Storyteller session was a pilot project led by children’s services worker Tracy Mullen and its success should see further sessions rolled out across other children’s centres.

During a two-and-a-half hour session, Tracy read the group Rabbityness, by Jo Empson, before interpreting the story through messy play and music.

This creative approach to reading stories had the youngsters absorbed throughout.

“After the story we’re decorating the forest. We’re decorating the branch as a symbol of the forest and hanging bunting,” said Tracy.

“In the other room I’ve borrowed some African drums that will be like an introduction to music. It’s all hands-on.”

The session ended with a demonstration of drumming before the children, aged between two and eight, could have a go themselves.

Mother-of-two Kattrina Hooper really enjoyed the session and was impressed it appealed to both her three-year-old, Ellis, and eight-year-old Kendall.

“When it’s a story, like it is today, there’s a theme behind the story and then craft activities associated with the story and they enjoy it,” she said.

The sessions aim to promote reading at home, underpinned by the government’s literacy guidelines, but Kattrina had no concerns about her children’s reading skills. “They love reading,” she said.

“We read bedtime books. Kendall reads a lot. She’s a good reader.”

Reading at home was equally important for mum-of-two Carrie Silvie.

Carrie attends the centre’s baby group sessions with her three-month-old daughter Esme as well as volunteering for Action for Children. In the holidays she brings her son Jack, five, who attends Dane Ghyll School during term time.

“With having the baby we don’t really have time to have messy play or do creative things so this gives him time to do things we can’t do at home,” she said.

One thing Carrie always finds time for is reading to both her children at home.

“I read to them together and separately,” she added. “Jack has a story every single night before bed. Even Esme is a member of the library.”

Listing his favourite reads, Jack said: “I like the Gruffalo – and Shrek!”

Tracy will be taking the Storyteller sessions into schools after April, when the pilot will be a project in its own right and will be funded separately.

Explaining the benefits of the sessions Tracy said: “It helps children interact with each other in a social aspect and helps with their physical development and creative development.

“We’re trying to promote more reading at home and a love of books.”

Bookstart Corner, held across the centres, also promotes reading at home.

Tracy said: “We give out free packs containing three or four books and CDs which tell you how to read with your child and about getting confidence.

“The Bookstarts are for children aged 12 months to two-and-a-half years. The message is ‘start as young as possible’.

“In schools teachers are seeing the effects of children not reading at home. Reading at home has been found to improve reading skills.”

First published at 15:44, Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk