Babies: Songs

For more information on how I plan and prepare my baby storytimes, check out this introduction post. And for a complete list of the baby rhymes/bounces/lifts/etc., visit this post. I starred the materials used in the plan; multiple stars indicate use for more than one session.

The Plan

Books
For baby time, my library passes out individual copies of board books to each caregiver/child pair. I typically keep two or three to the side of me in case a baby tries to grab my copy. I read face out; caregivers read to their children.

Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz**
Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr.**
Rain, Rain Go Away by Caroline Jayne Church

Early Literacy Tip

Children want familiar songs from people who mean a great deal to them. Sing, even if you think that your voice isn’t the greatest.

Flannelboard: Shape Game

This is the only baby storytime that I made pieces for. I had to make some music notes!

Repeating Extension Activities

• Bouncing, Bouncing**
• Milkshake**
• Rock the Baby**
• Roly Poly**
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear**
• These Are Baby’s Fingers*

How It Went

Tuesday morning
One of my little boys really wanted to play peek-a-boo with me. He kept hiding behind me and popping out to say “boo”! The babies were dead silent and focused when we chorally sang the books. The “Milkshake Song” is absolutely adorable. This was our last summer session and we said “goodbye” to some of the babies moving to toddlers. Luckily, I’m doing toddlers so I didn’t really have to say goodbye!

Thursday morning
The moms loved the tip that “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” can be sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” — it really stretches a much beloved classic to give them another activity. I will miss doing baby storytime. I feel like it really stretched me to learn how to do babies. But I am happy that my co-worker is back and can get back to snuggling babies, too!