Mar 22, 2025 Little Bookworm Chronicles: Baby Doll Storytime
Introducing Baby Doll Storytime at HMMPL Whitestown Branch
A few months ago, the idea for holding a baby doll storytime was suggested to our Whitestown Youth Services team. It only took a short discussion to realize the many early literacy and social-emotional learning benefits that participants would gain from attending this storytime. Our answer for bringing this new storytime to life was a big YES!
Thanks to the Community Foundation of Boone County, a portion of funds we received from the Head Start Towards Work and Literacy grant went towards the purchase of dolls to have on hand for specific storytimes and play opportunities. The idea would be that the toddler and preschool attendees be the caregivers to their babydoll or stuffed animal during the program. They’d be invited to sing, rock and snuggle the baby dolls encouraging empathy, self-soothing, and caring behaviors for positive social-emotional learning.
How did the program go?
Any nervous energy about whether this storytime would meet our goals quickly vanished once the program began. We immediately saw the results we were hoping for: fun, engagement, early literacy practices and social-emotional learning practices. The first few songs of the storytime, children interacted with their baby doll by either bouncing the baby on their lap or lifting their baby up and down with the song lyrics. They also nurtured their babies as they rocked them during a book read aloud and interacted with colored scarves. Afterwards, we had play stations available for the children to wash their baby in a plastic tub, practice cutting their baby’s hair (paper crowns), or rock their baby to sleep with a bottle while looking at books. It was precious to observe the interactions! 
Join us for our next Baby Doll Storytime with Miss Alicia on Friday, April 18 at 10 AM! Bring a favorite doll/stuffed animal or borrow one of ours. Children will participate in songs, rhymes, and stories while interacting with their baby doll. An opportunity for social, emotional and literacy learning through play! Full of repetition and loving rituals that you can incorporate at home. For ages 2-5 years old.