Story Sessions

tldr - my kid’s preschool teachers invited parents to read books to their class. I got really into it.

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I’m a writer and life-long lover of children’s literature, especially picture books. The interplay between art and text, between reader and listener - it’s magic!

I’m also a former elementary school teacher. Through a series of plot twists, I’m a software engineer now, but there are parts of teaching I really miss. Hanging out with my kid and her friends helps fill in those parts. I love the puzzle of finding a just-right book and nothing sets my creative juices flowing like designing activities and playing with kids.

So, of course, when I had the chance to stop by my daughter’s preschool class to read, one story turned into two stories, which turned into a themed activity, which turned into a series of “Story Sessions”, which turned into this blog-ish compendium of lightweight, lesson-ish plans.

You might be here because you are on the hunt for ideas. First and foremost, welcome! Secondly, just in case you need it, here’s a reminder to release any Pinterest-fueled parenting pressure you’re carrying. Let it all go. As much as I’m someone who can spiral out on an idea, I am also someone who is very much done with the impossible standards and wild expectations that society has for parents, especially mothers. My hope is this becomes an approachable, useful resource that empowers anyone who hangs out with preschoolers to share in the joys of reading and learning together. Story Sessions are gloriously imperfect and open-ended; all the truly great things involving kids - involving humans - always are.

Happy reading & playing!