Storytelling training

'Just to say how excellent yesterday's storytelling training was. This morning we had a class of 4 - 5 year olds from a local school and I chose two stories and really enjoyed sharing them with the children. I followed your advice and I'm now confident about storytimes. Thank you very much for helping me with what was a real problem... formerly...'. Public LibraryStaff.

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Providing the confidence and techniques to promote reading through storytelling with a range of ages and abilities - in the library, school, museum, or in the community.

As with all of Jerry's training, sessions can be tailored to specific local needs. Jerry is also happy to create new courses.

Training options include:

More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books for public libraries, schools, museums, galleries or archives. Focus on Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, 2, 3, 4, or across the full range

Photograph of participant in training

Areas explored:

More than just reading out loud: outcomes for young people
Picture books to novels
Themes
Developing a style of your own
Basic ground rules for successful storytelling using books: planning; selecting the books; preparation; the session itself; evaluation
Related reading activities
The new media
Practical ideas and approaches to take away
Action planning

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'The training was stimulating and imaginative. It was well planned and structured and Jerry was able to engage with a broad range of learners. Jerry has a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject area. He immediately put everyone at ease and was able to adapt to people's specific requirements. Jerry was approachable and enthusiastic and the training was clear and interspersed with relevant examples from his comprehensive experience. Participants were fully engaged at all times through a range of activities mixed with periods of thought and discussion.' Janis Wilson, Senior Librarian, Children & Young People, Hull Libraries.

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'The storytelling courses were a very good fit to the brief we gave. We were particularly pleased with your emphasis on encouragement – not being frightened to “give it a go” – also the way you use humour to deliver the message. And the pig was lovely!

Many of the participants really lack confidence in their ability to deliver a story session, so not putting anyone on the spot was just right. Leading by example was the best way to go with these groups. Something for everyone – from the novice, to the experienced needing a refresher and new ideas.

The handouts will be good to refer to and it is also useful for people to have a “Tried and Tested” list.

Excellent, feedback from the participants has been very positive.'
Nicci Shepherd, Senior Young Persons Development Librarian, Reading Borough Libraries

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'Yesterday, one person from the training, who was adamant that she couldn't stand up in front of children and parents did songs and stories for 35 children and 16 parents and then ran an Easter Egg hunt. She regularly gets 30 people at her sessions now - and she's brilliant!

We felt that the training had been very sensitively tailored to the needs of our group. Jerry was reassuring and encouraging in equal measure which was just what we wanted and needed.

Staff arrived at the sessions feeling a bit apprehensive, but the majority left with a glow of confidence having taken part in a light-hearted training course that gave them lots of support, loads of ideas, plenty to laugh at and time to talk through their worries.

One of our library managers, who was previously nervous about storytelling in front of a group, couldn’t wait to put her new-found enthusiasm into practice and told some stories to a class “without worrying about making mistakes” first thing the morning after the course.

Jerry was warm, approachable, adaptable and made everyone smile. He also offered his email details to all the staff on the course in case they wanted to talk anything through with him once they were back in their branches. We really felt that he was interested in the people on the course.'
Cathy Myers, Early Years Librarian, Lewisham Library and Information Service

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Jerry Hurst provides training courses, workshops and seminars for libraries, schools, museums, galleries, archives, youth services and other agencies. The focus can be work with children, teenagers or adults or the full range of service provision.

Training options are adaptable to the client's specific requirements. The content, level, approach and intended learning outcomes are always designed to reflect the client's brief. Jerry is also happy to create new courses to meet specific needs. This approach ensures that outcomes for participants are closely aligned with local service and staff development priorities.

If you need further information, or would like to discuss your training or consultancy requirements, please e mail jerry@jerryhurst.co.uk or telephone +44(0)20 8364 6166.