Facilitated by: Maria Herron, Early ON & Rosemarie Johnsonclarke, St. Thomas Library Storytelling with children is a powerful way to spark imagination, language development, and connection. Using simple props - such as puppets, felt pieces, or everyday objects - helps bring stories to life and makes abstract ideas more concrete. Come explore how to create an inviting and captivating atmosphere through expressive voices, gestures, and engaging visuals to encourage children to participate, wonder, and see themselves as storytellers too! Maria Herron is a RECE working for EarlyON Child and Family Centre in St. Thomas. Her passion is literacy. She is also the Professional Development Trainer for Phonics in Motion. She also has a background with TVDSB working in FDK. Rosemarie is an editor/writer with an enormous passion for early literacy, connecting littles with stories that encourage a lifelong love of reading. She is a children's programmer at St Thomas Public Library where she facilitates interactive storytimes (with puppets and instruments and props); StoryMakers; Book-Tasting Bonanza; and Young Writers' Club. A sixth generation Bahamian, Rosemarie has spent the past decade in southern Ontario and has embraced Canada as her second home. Pedagogical Focuses: Engagement - Expression Standards of Practice: Standard I - Standard II Registration closes: November 20th at noon *Ticket types are based on the county you WORK in. Elgin and Oxford professionals, use your access key to reveal your ticket type While we welcome participation from outside of the Early Years sector, please note these learning opportunities are intended for early years professionals and the early years lens will be emphasized.