Service Activity of the Month: Reading Stories at Children’s Hospitals

Gather together your favorite childhood story books and your best oration skills to read to children in hospitals. Oftentimes, the journey of enduring treatments and staying confined to the walls of a hospital room can be a difficult experience for young children. However, you and your local chapter can serve a role in comforting young patients by simply spending time and sharing with them.

A well told story is always good medicine for the soul, so be sure to follow these guidelines to make the most of your storytelling experience. It is a good idea to preview the book(s) you will present; this will allow you to practice and anticipate any questions your young audience may have. Also, in order to stimulate conversation and discussion, introduce the title of your book and allow the children to share their predictions about what the story will consist of. Most importantly, have fun and be sure to read with expression because you want to make the stories come alive and off of the pages.

In addition to reading your selected stories, do not be afraid to connect with and learn about the children that you present to. Try your best to make the experience even more memorable for them by writing cards or bringing small gifts.

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