Story Time? or Play Time?

For several months now, I have been wanting to take Jack to a "story time" at a nearby library. I felt this would offer an ideal setting for Jack to mingle with other toddlers, while at the same time, develop his ability to sit quietly while another adult read aloud. So today we attended "Storytime Read and Sing" at the Delafield Public Library.

When we first arrived at the library, I wasn't sure where the story time group was meeting. But I quickly came across a mom, Jenny, who was also attending story time with her young son, Andy. Jenny helped me find where we needed to gather, which turned out to be outside on the lawn. (The weather was fantastic, so it was nice to be sitting outside).

As story time began, Jenny offered Jack and me a seat on her blanket, (being a first-timer, I didn't bring my own blanket). I graciously accepted since there was still some dew on the grass. Other than the woman reading the stories, there were eight of us parents -- I was the only dad. The ages of the kids ranged from about 12 months, up to four years. All of the kids were well-behaved and attentive as story time began. But after we got about two pages into the first book, Jack decided he would rather be running around instead of listening to the story teller.

Great. I was the parent with the "wild kid". It's not that Jack was being loud and disruptive. After all, we were outside, and there was plenty of room for Jack to wander around without making too much noise. But I really felt that in this particular social situation, I had failed as a parent to teach Jack to sit quietly and pay attention.

Were the moms in the group looking at me as a "dad out of his element"? Or were they looking at me with empathy, knowing that it could just as easily be them chasing their kids on any given day. Early on, Jenny reassured me that there is usually at least one kid who decides to get up and wander for awhile. So that made me feel a little better. (Although I was still embarrassed when Jack stood in front and insisted on turning the pages of book number two).

Jack is a very mild-mannered kid, and his behavior in most public situations is better than average. I plan on taking Jack back to story time next week. He may decide that he wants to run wild again. Or he may decide to sit quietly and pay attention. I won't know until it happens.

One thing I'm sure of is that his attention span will improve as he's exposed to more story time gatherings. But I have come to realize that socialization skills are not a born trait. They are a learned skill. And it's never too early, nor too late, to teach them.