Especially with the preschool and younger set, 30 full minutes of reading books can be a daunting task. Attention spans are shorter for young children, and they learn well with activities that involve movement and creativity. Often, story times begin with a song that involves simple movements or dance, followed by a story, then is finished with a related craft or activity that involves creativity and working with the hands. For leaders who do not enjoy singing, story time can begin with a discussion of the planned activities.
Many times, story times are based around a theme. Themes should be simple, such as a type of animal, a season or a holiday. Choose simple books around a theme with pictures that will be easy for larger groups of children to see.
Story time can be fun for children younger than 2, but the format should be different. Typically, infant story times are lap-sit programs, where parents or caregivers attend with the babies. In this age group, flexibility is key. Lots of songs and rhymes can be fun, but it isn't unusual to have to change activities as babies get fussy or need to crawl around. For the youngest children, it is good to use the same rhymes each time, as it makes story time familiar and comfortable.
One of the most important things to remember is to cater story time to your audience. A large group of 3 year olds might need more crafts and activities, while a group of kindergartners will likely be able to listen to two or three books at one time. Choose themes based on the interests of the children who typically attend story time, and be willing to change the format a bit if necessary. Relax, and do not worry if the time does not go exactly as planned.