Story time and puppetry play important roles in our curriculum. When children listen to stories they develop an ability to listen, to remember, to sequence the elements of a story, pick up the subtleties of characterization, and perhaps most important of all, to imagine. Countering the artificial noise of electronic stories and digital media, our teachers practice the arts of storytelling and puppetry. Warmly creative adults inspire the same qualities in the children around them, as they invite the listener into a world of once upon a time. The teller’s pacing, intonation, gestures and expression all support the children’s growing vocabulary, listening comprehension, and attention span. We encourage them to begin to “think the pictures” and create a strong foundation for their emerging literacy skills.