第125章 BOSTON

Storytelling in the playgrounds is under the direction of a special teacher appointed in 1909.The teacher of storytelling works in co-operation with the teachers of dramatics and of folk dancing.The visits of the special teacher added interest and novelty,but it is felt that every playground teacher should be able to tell stories effectively.Storytelling,therefore,is considered a part of the daily work of the playground assistant.

In the Boston Public Library,storytelling is not organized as a definite feature of work with children,but has been employed occasionally in some branch libraries,regularly in others,by varying methods.It is regarded as markedly successful in districts where library assistants are closely identified with the work of the neighborhood.Co-operation with settlements in which storytelling has been carried on for some years has been very successful.Rooms have been furnished by the library;the settlements,and sometimes the normal schools,have provided storytellers.The work of a settlement leader with a large group of boys was especially interesting one winter,as he told continued stories from such books as "Treasure Island"and "The Last of the Mohicans."In the sixty home libraries conducted by The Children's Aid Society,storytelling and games are carried on by regular and volunteer visitors on the days when books are exchanged.(For full information concerning home libraries refer to Mr.Charles W.Birtwell of The Children's Aid Society,Boston,with whom this work originated.)Settlements and libraries report great improvement in the quality of reading done by the children as well as keen appreciation and enjoyment of the stories to which they have listened.They remember and refer to stories told them several years ago.