Schools
EYFS
Lottie provides Magic Box sessions for nursery groups. These are approx. 50-60 minutes.
Lottie is also involved in the Chit Chat Pitter Pat home learning project, run by Waltham Forest. She is one of two storytellers for their summer holiday sessions, helping to plan and deliver fun sessions during the 6 weeks of holiday.
Nursery
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Lottie provides storybook sessions for these year groups. A picture book is chosen, Lottie dramatises it - and encourages the children to help her tell the story. There are fun warm-ups as well - all designed to get the kids excited about books and reading!
Currently, Lottie runs weekly storybook sessions at both sites of Hillyfield Primary Academy, and at Chapel End Infants and Early Years sites, both in E17. Group sizes range from 30-120 children.
During the national lockdowns, Lottie continued to provide regular storybook sessions to the schools via Zoom and Google Meets.
‘Lottie has been inspiring our children with her enchanting stories every week for 2 years. The children are enthralled, and they love all the opportunities to interact, sing, chant and perform along with the story. We value these sessions so highly as they bring books to life for our children, cultivating a love of reading and creating memorable experiences for all.’
Janice Chaplin, Headteacher, Chapel End Infants
‘My son is full of excitement when it's time for Lottie's storytelling, he absolutely loves it. Over lockdown I joined the online classes with my son and Lottie was so fantastic that even I joined in the background. Lottie is a lot of fun, she spreads positive energy and interacts very well with the children. Thank you Lottie.’
Nafeesa, mother of Subhan (aged 4) at Chapel End.
‘The children and staff at Hillyfield love storytime sessions with Lottie. They support our children in developing their language, creativity and imagination through the exciting, lively and very interactive format. The stories that Lottie shares support us on our mission to spark a love of reading and storytelling.’
Jacqui Stow, Deputy Headteacher, Hillyfield Primary Academy
World Book Day
Lottie has provided one-off sessions for World Book Day, ranging from working with a specific year group to providing age-appropriate sessions to the whole school (from Nursery to Year 6).
Lottie can design, write and deliver sessions around the needs of a school - related to a book the children are studying, around a theme the children are exploring, a special Magic Box session, etc. She is always happy to discuss options!
National Storytelling Week
Lottie is happy to provide Magic Box sessions, storybook sessions, or whatever a school would like to celebrate the wonder of storytelling!
The benefits of having a professional storyteller come into your school are many.
The EYFS framework recognises the importance of communication and language, the need to ‘ignite children’s interest’ in reading.
The Key Stage 1 framework stresses the importance of developing a pleasure in reading and being given the opportunity to listen to stories - which, in turn, expand children’s vocabulary and aid their writing skills.
And, on top of this, Magic Box sessions help children develop confidence, spatial awareness when moving around the space in character, language skills, the ability to express ideas - and they nurture the idea of working together.