The Miami-Dade Public Library System saw the need to bring storytime to native Creole-speaking children in Miami’s Little Haiti. Access to libraries and its programming can be difficult for these children, and this program reaches them in a convenient and familiar space. Early literacy prepares children for school success by laying a foundation before they learn to read and write. Storytime uses language to tell stories and models behavior for caregivers of children that promote early literacy skills.

Creole Storytime consists of monthly programs conducted in Creole at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. This program is structured on traditional storytime programs offered by MDPLS and its early literacy initiative, “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing.” Storytime includes books, songs, fingerplays and movement. Caregiver tips are incorporated throughout. Caregivers are shown the benefits of talking, reading and singing to children and how to build these habits as they interact with them day-to-day.

Since November 2018, the library has conducted six Creole Storytime events. Average attendance to each is 15 preschoolers, 10 school-aged children and five caregivers. This program brings awareness of early literacy practices to the Creole-speaking caregivers through activities children naturally love. Storytime fosters a love of books and reading in children and offers caregivers an opportunity to learn the extraordinary value that talking, reading and singing has for children’s development of pre-reading skills.