Appeal
Being a parent or grandparent is tough! One of the most difficult things to do with a toddler is keep them happy when it seems they are ALWAYS hungry. Many educational programs not only ignore this developmental fact, but also prohibit outside snacks from being brought in. So what happens when a 2 year old is getting a bit bored with the stories or the crafts? They start thinking about their grumbling tummy, and then starts the chorus of wails and shushes. Enter a program during which snacks are offered for FREE. Having a donation jar next to the snacks or asking parents to donate (we have a steady stream of donations coming in all summer long for summer reading programs) is also possible if budget is the primary concern. Many parents have commented on their joy and relief that snacks are provided at our library's programs, and some of my families who have moved to other towns have complained when they discovered their new libraries did not offer snacks.
Fresh Possibilities
Do you have a rotating storytime theme collection and are some of your families (or are you) getting just a bit burnt out on the same old, same oldness of it? So, you don't want to scrap years' worth of books and craft ideas/supplies you've amassed. Enter the snack craft. You can keep your theme, stories, and your regular craft the same while offering something new as well. Here are a few of the snack crafts I have offered in the past. The kids have loved them all. You can also make food that's not for eating a part of your activities. My sensory spaghetti bowl and spice painting were enormous hits! Think outside the box and use Pinterest to find a lot of fabulous, themed ideas.
Transition
Sometimes, ending storytime is awkward for me. Adults stand around talking and kids play at my play table or with their crafts while I clean up, but then as parents begin trying to make the kids leave, some don't want to go. Snacks have been enormously helpful here, as I often have a few leftovers and can help give the kids an incentive to leave by handing their parents a few leftover treats (with the parent's permission, of course) for them to have later. It gets them looking forward to what might come next.
Need
If you, like me, work in a city with an abundance of low-income families, you know there are plenty of hungry families who come to the library. These families NEED library programs to help their children have the best opportunities possible, and what better service can we offer them than food in their bellies while they learn and expand their minds? Although my snacks are not always healthy, I try to keep the balance leaning heavily toward the healthy side, or to offer a sugary snack alongside a fruit or veggie. Regardless, a child with a treat in their bellies will often listen and behave much better than a child whose blood sugar has dropped or whose tummy is rumbling.
Tiny Siblings
I do not place any age limits on storytime. Every child of any age is welcome. I have had them a few days old up to age 16, and I always try to adapt to my audience when everyone has arrived. Some children may distract others by noise or constant movement, but I see that as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. How else can the little ones learn how to sit still, listen to stories, or take turns talking than sitting in a classroom-type setting and seeing older children model that behavior? Plus, they are hearing books read aloud, which can only benefit them.
When it comes to craft time, though, there are always some kids who want nothing to do with the craft or activity and who (if not forced to sit at the table with the family) will run wild around the room or throw a tantrum that makes you long for earplugs. My solution? You guessed it. A snack. I always keep a few goldfish crackers or graham crackers or raisins on hand so that even if that week's snack is not one-year-old or seventh-month-old friendly, I will have something they can eat. The snack saves all of us a world of irritation. While the older sibling is contentedly gluing colored tissue squares to the turtle's back, the younger one is happily popping one Cheerio at a time into their mouth. The mom looks from one to the other and smiles. I revel in the knowledge that they will all have a happy memory that will bring them back again and again.
Still not convinced that snacks are the way to go? Here are my answers to the other common complaints:
Messes: I LOVE my little rechargeable vacuum cleaner for small messes, and there are many inexpensive options for these. If you choose snacks that are fairly clean and dry with minimal crumbs, this type of vacuum should be sufficient for nearly everything, and will not take long to clean up after.
Pests: We have dealt with mouse problems a few times, thankfully not in story time snack storage but in personal snack storage areas of the library. My solution? A heavy duty, sealed plastic tub designated for storytime snacks. Cleaning up after programs and taking out any food trash the same day also helps to keep the pests at bay. We also use a professional exterminator service that sprays around the baseboards once a month and troubleshoots any specific issues we have.
Allergies: I try to ask new families to tell me about any food allergies they might have, and thus far have been fortunate with very few having any at all. Additionally, I post a printed allergy warning next to my snacks sometimes when I think it might be an issue. You can make your own or print a ready made one, like these.
Hopefully, you will finish reading this post with at least some ideas of how you might incorporate food into future programs, and some awareness of the role it can play in growing and strengthening your children's programming.
Let me know your thoughts/successes/stories here!
