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Bookbug Session Leader Training

Find course details and how to sign up

Bookbug Session Leader training is for those who plan to deliver Bookbug Sessions in libraries or other community venues with groups of children (0–5 years) with their mums, dads or carers. We balance practical exercises with research-based theory on book sharing, music and child development.

How it works

1. Fill in our short eligibility check form.

Eligibility details

You must:

  • Be affiliated with an organisation, either as a staff member or volunteer, which will support the leader to run Bookbug Sessions. (Please note: A maximum of two places are available per workplace. If you have more than two people who wish to attend, please get in touch).

  • Plan to deliver regular Bookbug Sessions

  • Plan to deliver Bookbug Sessions to groups of children (0–5 years old), where possible with their parents or carers

  • Be over 16

  • Plan to start leading Bookbug Sessions within two months of the training course

  • Agree to abide by the Bookbug Session Leader Agreement

2. You will then be directed to book on one of the available training dates via Eventbrite. If a session is full, you can join the waitlist and may be offered a spot if we have any cancellations. Please only book onto training if you can commit to attending – waitlists are regularly full and cancellations greatly impact how many practitioners we can train across the year.

3. Attend an in-person or online interactive session.

What to expect from an in-person session

Our lively in-person training is a hands-on, all-day session covering theory and practice. Everyone will be asked to participate with the songs and rhymes as a group, but you won't be asked to sing on your own.

We have a small amount of ring-fenced funding to support participants in accessing Bookbug Session Leader training. Please contact our Early Years Delivery Manager at [email protected] if you would like to discuss financial help with travel and/or accomodation.

This course is comprised of:

  • A 6-hour in-person training session

  • A small amount of preparation work to be completed, which will be sent two weeks before the session

  • After attending the training, you will receive login details for our Bookbug Portal

  • There is a short follow-up course to be completed, the Bookbug Session Leader Agreement, which will activate your Bookbug Session Leader membership

  • You will be required to complete a short 'refresher' course annually to continue your membership

What to expect from an online session

Our interactive, online trainer-led sessions combine theory and practical work. Everyone will be asked to participate with the songs and rhymes as a group, but you won't be asked to sing on your own.

This course is comprised of:

  • 2 x 3.5 hour live interactive sessions, taking place online using either Zoom or MS Teams, a week apart. Attendance is required at both to complete the training. There will be comfort breaks throughout each session

  • A small amount of preparation work to be completed which will be sent two weeks before the sessions

  • After attending the training, you will receive login details for our Bookbug Portal

  • There is a short follow-up course to be completed, the Bookbug Session Leader Agreement, which will activate your Bookbug Session Leader membership

  • You will be required to complete a short 'refresher' course annually to continue your membership

In our online training course, you need to:

  • Have a computer, laptop or tablet that connects to the internet with working audio, camera and microphone. A mobile phone is not suitable due to the format of the training. The training is interactive and everyone will be asked to participate

  • Be registered individually on the training course and participate on your own individual device

  • Be able to access Zoom or Microsoft Teams (depending on the platform of the session you registered for)

4. Complete a short online, self-led course to activate your Bookbug Session Leader membership.

5. Use your new skills and knowledge to start running your own Bookbug Sessions!

What you'll learn

  • The importance of songs, rhymes and stories for both children and families

  • How to plan a Bookbug Session, selecting appropriate songs, rhymes and a story

  • How to make Bookbug Sessions welcoming, accessible and inclusive

  • How to practise singing, rhyming and reading aloud

  • How to encourage families to sing, read and rhyme at home as part of their everyday routines

Keep in touch

We release training dates on a rolling basis throughout the year. Sign up for our Work with Bookbug newsletter to be notified as new dates are added.

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If you have any questions or you need additional support with the registration process, please contact the Bookbug team at [email protected] or call 0131 524 0160 (press option 1 for Early Years and Bookbug).