Tag: babies (summer 2014)

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-songs

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!

May 14, 2015 1 Comment Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Play

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-play

Higher Higher by Leslie Patricelli*
Peek-a-Who by Nina Laden**
Tickle Time by Sandra Boyton**

Early Literacy Tip

Positive interactions in storytime can prepare children for school. Have a great time with your baby today!


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I used one of the balls from “Big, Bigger, Biggest”. I used the beach ball, so a few caregivers thought we’d be reading about the beach. But that’s okay!

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Cheek Chin*
  • I Bounce You Here*
  • Pizza, Pickle, Pumpernickel**
  • Roll, Roll, Roll the Ball**
  • A Smooth Road**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
Two babies had new words to tell Miss Katie. One can now say “milk” and the other had learned “more”. The very bouncy babies appreciated when I put on Laurie Berkner’s “Fruit Salad Salsa” in the middle for some shaking and egg shakers.

Thursday morning
The babies were absolutely superb cleaning up today! During “Roll, Roll, Roll the Ball”, babies loved to eat the balls. I was glad to have teen volunteers afterwards to disinfect all the balls. I did “A Smooth Road” three times because of smiles today. And I was three different babies come to sit on my lap at one point or another!

May 7, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Farm

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-farm

Cow Moo Me by Stephen Losordo**
Farm Kisses by Marianne Richmond*
Clip Clop by Nicola Smee*

Early Literacy Tip

Animal noises are great first sounds for babies. Sounds come before words!


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I hid a sheep behind the shapes today. It’s from my Farm Pack.

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep**
  • Popcorn, Popcorn*
  • Roly Poly**
  • This Little Piggy**
  • Tiny Little Babies*
  • Toast In the Toaster*

How It Went

Tuesday morning
A couple of my babies were teething this morning, so we had a rocky start to the program. But they settled in once we started our opening routine — another great reason to have a routine. “Baa Baa Black Sheep” captured one of my youngest baby’s attention more than anything else so far. “Clip Clop” was a great book; lots of sweet bouncing babies!

Thursday morning
The babies were so bouncy today! I used both “Popcorn, Popcorn” and “Toast In the Toaster” since bouncing was their favorite today. Also, I have a mom who has memorized “Cow Moo Me” because of storytimes. She recites it to her daughter every night without having the book. Sweet!

April 30, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Babies (Haha)

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-babies

Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz*
Grow Up by Nina Laden*
I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy**

Early Literacy Tip

Babies love to look at themselves and at other babies. If tummy time is frustrating, try to angle a mirror so your baby can lift their head to see themselves.


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I hid a baby today. It was from my family set that I used in “Knock Knock” story.

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Cheek Chin*
  • Icka Bicka Soda Cracker*
  • Milkshake**
  • Open, Shut Them*
  • Round and Round the Garden*
  • Tick Tock**
  • Wake Up Toes**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
“I Kissed the Baby” inspired great interactions between child and caregivers. Lots of tickling, kissing, hugging, etc. And the babies were absolutely spellbound during “Wake Up Toes” — that song is the biggest winner ever!

Thursday morning
When I said that we were going to do “Tick Tock”, several of the walkers/wanderers raced oved to their caregiver’s laps. That is definitely their favorite movement activity. The babies were remarkably well behaved today and we were able to do so many activities. One of the little girls walked to the middle of the rug and modeled our ending routine motions for everyone. It was very endearing.

April 23, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Colors

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-colors

Butterfly Colors and Counting by Jerry Pallotta**
Maisy’s Colors by Lucy Cousins*
Spot Looks at Colors by Eric Hill*

Early Literacy Tip

Talking about different colors is a great way to introduce new vocabulary. Don’t shy away from using words like “turquoise” and “gray” as well as the primary and secondary colors.


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I used a rainbow piece from my “Rainbow Stew” flannelboard. Once I revealed the rainbow, we talked about all of the different colors in the rainbow.

Repeating Extension Activities

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

How It Went

Tuesday morning
During this storytime (I nearly always sit on the floor with the babies), I have two of the babies come over and start rubbing my back. It was really sweet and I have to admit, I could use a back massage! The babies were in love with the scarves today and “Colors Over Me”.

Thursday morning
We had a baby take FIRST EVER STEPS in storytime! He came over to get a book from me and I nearly cried along with his caregiver. But as amazing as this was, while we read “Butterfly Colors”, I invited families to read in their native language. I got to hear some Farsi, Hindu, Chinese, Polish, and Spanish. It was a great moment for me to hear all those great new words!

April 16, 2015 2 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Things That Go

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-thingsthatgo

Faster Faster by Leslie Patricelli**
Freight Train by Donald Crews*
Trucks by Byron Barton*

Early Literacy Tip

Children learn best from their parents/caregivers — you are your child’s first teacher!


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I hid a car from my car set. One little boy really enjoyed it because “car” is one of his words! It was a sweet chorus of “car, car, car, car” for a few minutes there.

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Cheek Chin**
  • I Bounce You Here*
  • Pizza, Pickle, Pumpernickel*
  • Row, Row, Row Your Boat**
  • A Smooth Road**
  • This Little Train**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
I had eighteen baby and caregiver pairs this morning. SO MANY BABIES. Some days, with a crowd like this, it’s best to just keep everyone moving. We did a lot more activities and I played three songs off of the Wiggleworms CD to keep the group up and dancing.

Thursday morning
I actually have no write-up for this group. Summer time, am I right?

April 9, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Peek-a-Boo

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-peekaboo

Goodnight Faces by Lucy Schultz**
Peek-a-Who by Nina Laden
Peek-a-Zoo by Nina Laden*
Where Is Baby’s Bellybutton? by Karen Katz*

Early Literacy Tip

It’s okay not to be perfect! I had a cold this week (spent all weekend nursing it, but couldn’t shake the stuffy sound in my voice), and let my parents know that I might not be singing as loud as I usually do. But the babies are still gaining valuable literacy moments from our interactions!


Flannelboard: Shape Game

I hid a baby face behind one of the shapes. I pulled the shape back slowly and called out “peek-a-boo” in a singsong voice. The baby face was from my Ten Little Babies pack.

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Colors Over Me
  • Popcorn, Popcorn
  • Roly Poly**
  • This Little Piggy*
  • Tiny Little Babies**
  • Toast In the Toaster**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
All the babies loved “Peek-a-Zoo”. We’ve had “Peek-a-Who” in the collection for the longest time and last fiscal year I had the opportunity to buy some new sets which included “Peek-a-Zoo”! I loved seeing their faces to see a “familiar” book with new pages.

Thursday morning
The babies lost their minds with squeals when I played peek-a-boo during the shape game. This group really got into “Colors Over Me” since I gave each child/caregiver pair scarves to use. I’m still not quite ready to do the parachute with the babies yet, but someday!

April 2, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime

Babies: Rhymes

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-rhyme

Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin Jr.
Pat-a-Cake by Kenyon
Rain, Rain Go Away by Caroline Jayne Church

Early Literacy Tip

Singing often breaks up syllables by assigning them different notes which makes them easier to hear.

20140722-221332-80012357.jpg
Flannelboard: Shape Game

I hid a cat wearing a hat underneath. The cat is from my Farm Pack and the hat is from Froggy Gets Dressed.

Repeating Extension Activities

  • Cheek Chin*
  • Open, Shut Them*
  • Round & Round the Garden**
  • Tick, Tock**
  • Wake Up Toes**

How It Went

Tuesday morning
Since this was the second session of baby storytime for me, I had one little boy who stood and waited at the flannelboard for me to come in and play The Shape Game. Our board book version of “Pat-a-Cake” tripped everyone up since it doesn’t do the rhyme that our caregivers were familiar with.

Thursday morning
One of my favorite classes ever! We spent the five minutes or so before class officially started sharing what the babies had learned since the last time I saw them. So many babies learned to sit, crawl, or walk. But one father had to demonstrate his child’s skill. He learned animal noises (cow, sheep) and also what Michael Jackson says, “Ow!” It was pretty darn cute.

March 26, 2015 0 Comments Short URLBaby Storytime