One of Plural Words’ main resources is the collection of books that are part of the AAC boxes. Inevitably, this material raises questions about how to integrate alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) during storytime?
AAC is often considered as a functional communication tool used mainly to express basic needs. Admittedly, this is part of its functions, however, AAC offers far more possibilities, including storytelling. Consequently, AAC completely pertains to storytime, as it even offers alternative and more engaging ways of transmitting and receiving a story.
Resorting to AAC tools and methods for storytime encourages the shift from integration to inclusion. When talking about integration, we ask the child to adapt to the environment (eg. a child who wears noise cancelling ear muffs), whereas when talking about inclusion, we expect the school, the library or the classroom to be adjusted for the child (eg. pictograms, a specific corner, fewer children for storytime…). Not only does these adaptations contribute to a greater inclusion of the child within the environment, but it also benefits other pupils who could benefit both from the accessible space and the enriched storytelling techniques.
The approaches we are offering are inspired from a selection of libraries’ good practices, but they are perfectly suitable for a classroom or other storytime environments.
Focus on the environment
Rethinking the environment for greater accessibility is part of the process and ensures a higher level of attention and engagement from your audience. There are several ways of redesigning the space, such as:
- Pictograms: easy to implement, they can be used in the whole library, as well as in the classroom. They enable all children to become familiar with the environment and its rules (eg. for the reading corner), and consequently, develop the children’s autonomy.
- Sensorial corner/ room: having a special corner laid out with sensorial elements (eg. adapted furniture and light, heavy stuffed animals to calm younger children, noise cancelling ear muffs…) enables children to calm down and reduces overstimulation. Creating those inclusive environments participates in increasing children’s attention by providing them with a setting that answers their needs.
How to include AAC during storytime?
There are various ways to introduce AAC methods during storytelling, whether you choose low-tech or high-tech devices. It depends on the resources you possess, but you can already introduce easy-to-use tools that don’t require acquiring lots of materials.
- Pictograms: reading the story while pointing to pictograms can be an interesting and easy-to-implement activity. It forces the storyteller to slow down the reading, ensuring all children are coping with the rhythm and increasing their attention. The storyteller can also invite the audience to take part into the tale by pointing at the pictograms, which creates a sense of belonging and valorise children with speech disabilities. Plus, using pictograms highlights the key words from the stories which benefits vocabulary development.
- Sign language: whether you are working with an interpreter or that you learn sign language vocabulary, this method is a great way to promote accessibility. Even though your audience might not be familiar with sign language, its visual aspect increases the crowd’s attention and engagement. You can invite children to sign with you, which not only develops their vocabulary but also contributes to a better acquisition of the story.
- Visual storytelling: this method invites the audience to rely on the visual support and not on the text only. There are several traditional storytelling techniques, such as kamishibai, shadow play theatre or leporello, which all focus on the visual aspect. You can also combine these techniques with pictograms or sign language for instance to offer a multimodal approach.
Some good practices
Relying on AAC tools for storytelling does not only guarantee accessibility, but is a factor of socialisation. It shows children facing communication barriers that they belong to the place and that their participation is valued and encouraged. To conclude this article, here is a small selection of three libraries that are offering an AAC storytime:
Bibliothèque du secteur Saint-Janvier, Mirabel (Québec, Canada)
This library located in Québec (Canada) is one of the first in the region that offered accessible storytime: the activity schedule is available in pictograms, they have created a sensory room which is even designed to welcome toddlers.
Médiathèque Haut-du-Lièvre, Nancy (France)
This multimedia library located in Nancy (France) offers inclusive storytimes during which stories are being read in collaboration with an interpreter in French sign language. The format of the stories are multiple: picturebook, documentary books, pop up books, songs and even kamishibai.
Bibliothèque Louise Michel, Paris (France)
The library located in Paris (France) has been hosting storytimes in AAC for a few years now. The librarians are using pictograms and have been working with young adults with intellectual disabilities to assist them in pointing the pictograms. This collaboration values all readers and demonstrates that they are active partners in the reading experiences.
References
Avalos, A. (2023, July 21). Retour d’expérience : Une heure du conte inclusive en communication alternative et améliorée. Bibliothèque Louise Michel. https://biblouisemichel.wordpress.com/2023/07/21/retour-dexperience-une-heure-du-conte-inclusive-en-communication-alternative-et-amelioree/
DSouza, S., Rubanova, P., Dukhovny, E., & Roth, C. (n.d.). Storytime with AAC: Establishing a library-based storybook reading program for AAC users and families: A tutorial. California State University, East Bay. https://www.sohaveyouheard.org/siteassets/files/cal-state-presentation-slides-storytime-with-aac.pdf
Pomier-L., C. (2023, October 16). Bibliothèques publiques inclusives : Accueillir les tout-petits ayant besoin de soutien particulier. Tout-petits.org. https://tout-petits.org/publications/dossiers-web/bibliotheques-publiques/bibliotheques-publiques-inclusives-accueillir-les-tout-petits-ayant-besoin-de-soutien-particulier/
The website https://bibliotheques-inclusives.fr/ provides some suggestions and guidelines to create more accessible libraries.
