[Dani2]

Sounds fairly normal to me. I work in a large library and during story time, some children will sit and listen, others will wander around. I think it also depends on the library you go to - we are a large library and don't have a 'silence policy'. The stories are often interactive as well - so the children aren't expected to just sit there.

Perhaps once she is used to the library environment she won't be so compelled to wander around - it won't be so new to her so when it is time for the story she will be get used to focusing on the story and blocking the other stimuli out.

Dani

[Flutter Bug]

Hi there. I would say that she probably just isn't interested. How engaging is the story teller at the library? I've been to a few and some of them are great at getting and sustaining the attention of the children and others tend to be a little bit boring!

I used to take my DD1 ata similar age and all she wanted to do was climb up and down the stairs in the library for the whole time we were there! But at home she loves her books and wants to be read to all of the time and will sit with me for very long periods of time.

So if it were me I'd give it a rest for a few months, you could still go to the library and choose books together to take home. Their attention span at this age is still pretty low so I wouldn't be concerned that she isn't sitting and listening.

You might be better off going for a great walk together and talking about all of the things you see on the way and having a play at the park - this is what I did with my DD and we have the best time together!

Now at just over two years she loves story times at the bookshop and at the library and will sit for a good 30mins or more!

This post has been edited by Flutter Bug: 03/05/2012, 01:41 PM

[Majeix]

IMO it is not that unusual although it does feel like it is only your child. I wouldn't stop going. I would continue to go unless the child did not like it. I had children that did not sit still and they certianly hae not been the only ones I have seen although I hate teh feeling everyone else is sitting quietly adn yours isn't. I didn't let them be overly disruptive but I didn't expect quiet stillness either, I got involved in the rhymes, I gave them some books of their own to read, I sat at the edge although where htey could clearly see and let them wander a little (not through the story time group though). If they disrupted the group we left. Eventually the older one got it(little one stiil little and hasn't been as often) and became one of the most enthusiastic participants and they have always loved books. They enjoyed it though just had not devloped the skills to sit quietly if they hated it I wouldn't have continued and it was difficult having a child that wouldn't sit through it. With playgroup thats a good option as it is only a small part of the progam (or it should be) and it won't matter if tehy don't stay for that bit they will get there eventually.

I also think that kids gym, parks and indoor play centres are great and provide a way to interact with other kids etc without trying to push them into sitting quietly through structurd acitivites beore they are ready for them .