Story Walks
Storywalks ™ foster interactive, educational children’s programming in communities. These opportunities are often coordinated through or within libraries, art galleries, outdoor recreation centres/authorities, and physical activity community centre contexts. However, with the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many important community spaces across the country closed to the public. And for the most part, so did much of the children’s programming. At that time, any programming that was available was taken online or outside. Storywalks ™ have flourished in outside venues and settings. This is one of the reasons Storywalks™ have gained popularity in recent years in both education and recreation sectors. The associated activities offer opportunities for safe physical distancing, while still encouraging lifelong-learning and positive health behaviours.
Currently in Ontario, indoor public spaces (e.g., malls, art galleries, theatres, libraries, gymnasiums) are re-opening and children’s planning initiatives are re-igniting. Collectives like the Niagara Children’s Planning Council and EarlyOn Centres are looking for children’s programming that is versatile enough to endure future pandemic-related disruptions. Our study looks at how physical education, literacy, visual arts, and drama curriculum could be incorporated with everyday Storywalks™.
The goal of the project, is to focus on larger indoor venues (e.g., malls, art galleries), as well as conventional outdoor spaces (i.e., trail systems, conservation authorities, and local/provincial parks) – all of which provide greater opportunities for the public to maintain public health recommended physical distancing (approx.6 ft. apart). In this way, the project aims to meaningfully support children’s programming in multiple domains inclusive of physical education and wellness, literacy, visual arts, and drama subject areas. For example, imagine that you are out for a walk in a park (or in a mall—with public health physical distancing mandates in place) or on a hike in a forest, and come across a spread from a picture book. This spread can be posted on a laminated sign, encased in plexiglass, or attached to a plaque in the ground. (See graphic below).
Here, children and their caregivers follow a path from one sign to the next, each containing the next section of a story. This format offers opportunities for children and families to move and engage in physical activity together, view and discuss artwork, read a story, and build relationships. Additionally, on the reverse side of the Storywalk ™ spreads there could be physical education, literacy, visual arts, and drama curricular activities designed for young children and families.
