Week of the Young Child Culminates With Inaugural Sensory Storytime Gathering

Young children engaged all their senses today in the inaugural Sensory Storytime event. Organized by the Community Connection for Child Care, in partnership with Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), Sensory Storytime is designed to engage kids from an early age through a series of fun, creative activities that let children express themselves and tap into their imaginations.

“Our whole goal is to include all the senses,” said Shirelle Perez, program manager for Community Connection for Child Care. “I thought it was perfect to do a sensory storytime, so it can adapt to the children and all their experiences and their individual needs.”

The morning started with a movement activity inviting kids to sing along to a song and fly like an eagle, run like a cheetah, and slither like a snake. Then, a volunteer read a few stories in English and Spanish. Kids were also encouraged to participate in several other hands-on, creative activities, including drawing, playing with bubbles, and squishing Play-Doh.

Volunteer Annette Long with Community Connection for Child Care ran the Play-Doh station, where kids could make their own shapes or use cutouts to create a variety of jungle animals. Long says it’s a great sensory tool because it strengthens their hands and motor skills, fosters creativity, is versatile, and allows kids to work out their feelings.

“If you have a child who is frustrated, giving them some Play-Doh to squeeze and work out their emotions is much better than screaming and yelling,” she said. “Some kids are tactile children, so having the touch, the feel of something in their hands, helps them relate to it better.”

A volunteer from the California Living Museum (CALM) introduced kids to Severus the King snake, providing animal facts and giving them a chance to touch and interact with animals. The Kern County Library handed out free books, stickers, and activities and assisted parents with signing their kids up for a library card.

“We really wanted to encourage them to get a library card for their children, and the library has so many fun activities going on in the summer. They have games, reading programs, and rewards for the families,” Perez said. “They’re such an important part of language development as well.”

The event also offered the adults essential resources and information from Kern County Public Health about childhood dental health and lead safety. Representatives from Kern Early Stars and the Early Childhood Council of Kern were on hand to provide resources and information as well as answer any questions. Families walked away with a bag of resource materials, a book, and free goodies.

Organizers designed the event to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, a nationally recognized week that focuses on early childhood education, young children aged zero to five, their teachers, and families. The goal is to support families with young children through resources and outreach programs and allow kids to learn through play.