Nursery Rhymes in the Modern Era: Reflections and Considerations for Storytime and Beyond

As storytellers, parents, and caregivers, we have a desire to establish a foundation of songs and rhymes in the children we serve. However, many traditional nursery rhymes are anchored in a less-than-savory past. With this in mind, how can we build a positive and inclusive foundation going forward? This presentation will discuss some of the more common nursery rhymes and their origins, the general purpose of nursery rhymes as tools for supporting early literacy, as well as how to determine how best to use nursery rhymes in a contemporary context. Participants will be provided with slides and a worksheet to consider after the presentation concludes.

Mary R. Lanni is the Youth Literacy and Outreach Specialist at Douglas County Libraries. She manages youth programming outside the library walls, including the Book Start program, which supports community readers by providing them with relevant materials and guidance as they interact with classrooms across the county. Mary seeks to ensure inclusivity in the programs she oversees, and she enjoys training and supporting others in this important work.

This event will be hosted in Zoom. This event will be recorded, and registrants will receive access to the recording once it is available.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.