At Story Explorers every class is designed with purpose
We believe that early literacy begins with joyful, hands-on experiences that engage a child’s natural curiosity. Our classes go beyond simple storytime- each session is thoughtfully crafted by a certified reading specialist to combine play, exploration, and early literacy development. By blending creativity with research-backed teaching methods, we give children the foundation they need to become confident lifelong readers.
The Science Behind Story Explorers
Dialogic Reading
A method where the adult actively engages the child during storytime with open-ended questions, prompting the child to talk about the story and illustrations
The “Science of Reading” Principles
Focuses on phonemic awareness, oral language development, and vocabulary as the foundations for after reading
Even for toddlers, early exposure to rhymes, songs, and sound play is crucial
Interactive Read-Alouds
Rather than passively reading a book, children are encouraged to respond, predict, and connect ideas- building narrative skills and critical thinking
Play-Based Learning
Research (like that of Lev Vygotsky and modern early childhood studies) supports that children learn language best through play, as it integrates social, emotional, and cognitive development
Multi-Sensory Learning
Using music, movement, and hands-on activities to engage multiple senses (e.g., acting out a story, exploring textures related to a book). This approach is particularly effective for toddlers
Why Story Explorers is Hosted at a Speech & Language Center
Our classes are offered at Metropolitan Speech & Language Center because early literacy and language development go hand in hand. By being in a space designed for speech and language growth, Story Explorers provides an environment rich in communication, collaboration, and expertise.
Parents benefit from the shared philosophy of supporting the “whole child”- from building strong vocabulary and comprehension skills to fostering social communication. Being connected to a speech center also means we’re surrounded by professionals who deeply understand early childhood Development, ensuring that every class is not just playful, but also purposeful and aligned with how children learn to speak, listen, and understand the world around them.
Meet Laura Schmidt, M.A. (Reading Specialization)
Founder of Story Explorers
-Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Special Education
-Certified Regular Education and Special Education Teacher
-Certified Reading Specialist
-Orton-Gillingham Trained
With over 15 years of experience as a special education teacher, and as a certified reading specialist, Laura has dedicated her career to helping children discover the joy and power of reading. As both an educator and a mom of three, she understands that a child’s love of learning begins with playful, meaningful experiences during the early years.
After seeing a need for literacy-rich programs designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers, Laura created Story Explorers-a place where little learners can build strong early literacy foundations through stories, songs, and hands-on activities. Her approach blends research backed methods, including interactive read-alouds and play-based learning, to help every child grow into a confident and curious reader.
When she’s not leading Story Explorer classes, Laura works at a preschool in Chatham where she loves reading and playing with her little learners. Laura enjoys spending time with her family and dog Morrison. Her love of reading has been the foundation of her career. Laura is active in the HSA at Burnet Hill Elementary School and currently serves as the VP of Student Programing. She delights in sharing her love of reading and the arts through author visits, special programs, and assemblies which captivate and educate the Burnet Hill community. Laura also loves the outdoors and can be found swimming and boating during the summer in Cooperstown, NY and skiing in the winter.