Toddler Storytime - Being Sick and Getting Better!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, January 31, 2013.

Books:

Llama Llama Home With Mama by Anna Dewdney




How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague



Songs:

Sneeze in Your Elbow
(tune: "Up on the Housetop")

My thanks to the wonderful students and staff at Welcome School for teaching me this song!!

Sneeze in your elbow, please, please, please,
So you don't get germs on me.
Sneeze in your elbow, quick, quick, quick,
So nobody else gets sick, sick, sick!

(Underlined words or syllables indicate the major beats in the song)

Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.



Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
Turn around and take a bow.
Sit right down. It's Storytime now!


Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster! How fast can you go??!)


Today we had a special guest join us for Toddler Storytime.  Her name is Monica Boeckman and she just happens to be a nurse...and my daughter!  Monica came to talk to the children about the importance of washing their hands.  Most of the children were a little suspicious of the stethoscope hanging around her neck!

Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA). 

Playing is a wonderful way to introduce your child to new (and possibly stressful) situations, such as going to the doctor.  Enjoy helping your child think about what kinds of things he might see and do when at an appointment.  You and your child can take turns being the doctor and the patient, or encourage your child to be the doctor and select a stuffed animal to be the patient. This type of play can have a positive affect on your child's first experiences at the doctor and can empower them by helping them anticipate what might happen at an appointment.

Here is a great site with information on the importance of handwashing.  With the cold and flu season upon us, it is especially important to do what we can to reduce the spread of viruses.

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

Book:

Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marieka Heinlen




Songs:


Hello, Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello friends.
Hello friends.
Hello friends.
We're glad you came today!

(After singing the song I invite an adult to introduce him/herself and their child.  We repeat the song, substituting the child's name for the word "friends".  We do this until everyone has been introduced and all the children have been serenaded!)

Where is Baby?
(tune: "Frere Jacques")

Where is (child's name)?  Where is (child's name)? 
(Cover child's face with a blanket or scarf)

There you are!  There you are!
(pull cover away)

I'm so glad to see you!  I'm so glad to see you!
(lots of smiles!)

Peek-a-boo!  Peek-a-boo!
(cover and uncover child's face again)



Ten Little Tootsies
(tune: "One Little, Two Little, Three Little")

One little, two little, three little tootsies,
Four little, five little, six little tootsies.
Seven little, eight little, nine little tootsies,
Ten little tootsie toes!

Ten little, nine little, eight little tootsies,
Seven little, six little, five little tootsies.
Four little, three little, two little tootsies,
One little tootsie toe!


Activities:

Everybody Knows I Love My Toes
(By Barbara Allyn, copyright SOCAN)

Everybody knows I love my toes.
Everybody knows I love my toes.
I love my noggin', my knees,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my eyes.
Everybody knows I love my eyes.
I love my legs, my lips,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my feet.
Everybody knows I love my feet.
I love my skin, my chin,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!



Pizza, Pizza, Pumpernickel

Pizza, pizza pumpernickel,
(gently pat child's legs in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
My little baby shall have a tickle.
(continue patting child's leg )
One on the nose,
(gently tickle child's nose)
And one on the toes,
(tickle toes)
And one on the tummy
(gently pat child's leg in rhythm on the underlined syllables)
where the pizz-a goes!
(gently pat child's tummy in rhythm on the underlined syllables)



Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"



Our ExploreTime Activity this week was hand puppets! We have a nice selection of puppets available for our use during storytimes, but you can very easily (and cheaply!) make your own puppets for use at home.  Watch for sales of stuffed animals at stores, garage sales and second-hand stores.  Make a slit along the bottom.  Often there is a seam that runs along the bottom of the animal.  Pull out the stuffing and voila!  To give your puppets more body you can opt to leave in some of the stuffing, such as at the top of the head or at the ends of the arms and legs.  Every Child Ready to Read® recommends frequent playtime with your child.  Playing with puppets will help your little one develop vocabulary and narrative skills as you and your child talk about the various animals, the sounds they make, their habitats, and the color and feel of their skin or fur. Spark your child's imagination as you enjoy the creative fun of making up stories about the puppets.

Library News:
On Tuesday morning it was sea of pink, with five little girls and their mommies!  Our newest friends at Baby & Me Storytime are Samantha and Hannah who joined us on Tuesday.  We welcome you both and look forward to sharing lots of fun stories, songs and rhymes with you!

Wednesday's storytime was canceled due to the wintry weather and Bellevue school closings. Stay home with your precious little ones...it might be a good day to turn an old stuffed animal into a puppet!

Golden Hills Head Start - Night and Day

Presented to Miss Jenny's class at Golden Hills Head Start on Monday, January 29, 2013.

Books:

Grumpy Bunnies by Willie Welch, illustrated by Tammie Lyon



Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee




Song:

Skinnamarink

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!
Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
and underneath the moon, oh

Skinnamarink-a-dink-a-dink,
Skinnamarink-a-doo,
I love you!


Activities:

Here Are My Eyes

Here are my eyes, one and two.
I give a wink and so can you.
When they are open
I see the light.
When they are closed,
It's dark as night.



The Sun

Over there the sun gets up,
(extend arm horizontally)
And marches all the day.
(raise arm slowly)
At noon it stands right overhead,
(point straight up)
At night it goes away.
(lower arm slowly)

Wesley and I had fun seeing everyone in Miss Jenny's class today!  They are all such enthusiastic students!!  During the singalong at the end of my program the children sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"!  We started out s-l-o-w-l-y, but by the third time through we were going at lightning speed!  Great job!!

My next visit to Miss Jenny's class is scheduled for Monday, February 28!

Golden Hills Head Start - Space

Presented to Miss Amy's Head Start class at Golden Hills on Monday, January 29, 2013.

Books:

Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! by Margaret Mayo, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe





How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers





Song:

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are!

Activities:

We're Going to the Moon!

Climb aboard the spaceship,
We're going to the moon!
Hurry and get ready,
We're going to blast off soon.
Put on your helmets
And buckle up real tight.
Here comes the countdown,
Let's count with all our might!
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1---BLAST OFF!!!


The Sun

Over there the sun gets up,
(extend arm horizontally)
And marches all the day.
(raise arm slowly)
At noon it stands right overhead,
(point straight up)
At night it goes away.
(lower arm slowly)


Wesley and I enjoyed venturing out in the fog this morning to visit the wonderful students and staff at Golden Hills Head Start!  I loved the sun and moon shapes hanging overhead as I read stories.  The students were awesome listeners and also did a great job of participating in the songs and activities!!  I had fun accompanying them as they sang their ABCs!!!
My next visit to Miss Amy's class is scheduled for Monday, February 25!

Toddler Storytime - I Like Blue!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

Books:

Dog Blue by Polly Dunbar







Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck, illustrated by Valeria Petrone



Songs:

If You Like the Color Blue
(tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It")

If you like the color blue, clap your hands!
If you like the color blue, clap your hands!
If you like the color blue, and you really want to show it,
If you like the color blue, clap your hands!

Help your child think of other things you can do, such as stomp your feet, wiggle your fingers, blink your eyes, etc.)


Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.


Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!

Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
Turn around and take a bow.
Sit right down. It's Storytime now!


Ten Little Fingers

I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster! How fast can you go??!)


Each Toddler Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).  One of the most important things we can do with our children is PLAY with them!  Every Child Ready to Read® encourages playtime, as it addresses a child's need for love and nurturing.  Creative play also encourages children to use their conversation skills as well as develop their imagination and vocabulary.  One of our stories (Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea) might spark some fun, creative play at home.  The cadence of this story could be mimicked as you and your child list the creatures found in the deep blue sea (your child's bath!):      
      Way down deep in the deep blue sea,
      I spy a rubber ducky swimming toward me.
      Hello, ducky.
      Follow along, ducky.
      See you later, ducky.
      Swim away!

I would love to hear from you if you use this activity with your child, or if you have other creative play activities you share with your child!

Reminder: Our theme for next week, January 31, is "Being Sick and Getting Well".  My daughter Monica, who is a nurse, will visit Storytime and talk about germs and staying well.  She'll even help us listen to our own heartbeat!

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 23, 2013.
Presented at Golden Hills Early Head Start on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

Book:
Peek-a-Boo! by Roberta Grobel Intrater




Songs:

Where is Baby?
(tune: "Frere Jacques")

Where is (child's name)?  Where is (child's name)? 
(Cover child's face with a blanket or scarf)

There you are!  There you are!
(pull cover away)

I'm so glad to see you!  I'm so glad to see you!

Peek-a-boo!  Peek-a-boo!
(cover and uncover child's face again)


Hickory, Dickory Dock

Hickory, dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock,
(run fingers up baby's back, or lift baby in the air)
The clock struck one, (clap once)
The mouse ran down,
(run fingers down baby's back)
Hickory dickory dock.

...the clock struck two (clap twice), the mouse said "Wooo!"...
...the clock struck three (clap three times), the mouse said "Weee!"...
...the clock struck four (clap four times), the mouse said "No more!"..




Activities:

Good Morning Toes!*

Good morning toes,
Good morning toes,
And how are you today?
I trust you had a good night's sleep
And now you're ready to play!

Enjoy saying good morning to a variety of places on your baby's body!

*At my mid-afternoon visit to Golden Hills I changed the words to fit the children's schedule, so we sang:

Hello toes,
Hello toes,
And how are you today?
I trust you had a nice, long nap
And now you're ready to play!

Everybody Knows I Love My Toes
(By Barbara Allyn, copyright SOCAN)

Everybody knows I love my toes.
Everybody knows I love my toes.
I love my noggin', my knees,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my eyes.
Everybody knows I love my eyes.
I love my legs, my lips,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my feet.
Everybody knows I love my feet.
I love my skin, my chin,
my neck and my nose,
And everybody knows I love my toes!


Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Library News:
Our newest friends at the library's Baby & Me Storytime are Grace, Liam, Lydia, Liya and Chase.  Welcome to you all!  Our attempt to reduce the class size for Baby & Me seems to be working.  This week we had 10 on Tuesday and 30 on Wednesday.  Please know that you are always welcome to visit either day and can even switch back and forth.  Hopefully the addition of a second session each week will make Baby & Me Storytime more enjoyable for everyone!

 
Our ExploreTime Activity this week was jigsaw puzzles! Even the youngest babies can enjoy seeing the colors and shapes of the pieces and watching Mommy put each piece in its special place.  Talking with your child as you manipulate the pieces will further engage him in exploring the wonderful world of puzzles! Every Child Ready to Read® recommends spending time (lots of it!) talking to and with your child.  It is one of the basic building blocks that will lay a foundation for your child's future successes in reading and learning!

Papa Bear and Me Storytime

Presented on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

Books:

With a Little Help From Daddy by Dan Andreasen




Tell Me What We Did Today by Rick  Kupchella, illustrated by Warren Hanson



My Daddy by Susan Paradis




Kevin and His Dad by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Michael Hays




My Big Brave Daddy by Smiljana Coh


Song:

This is the Way We Get Ready for Bed
(tune: "Mulberry Bush")

This is the way we take a bath,
Take a bath, take a bath.
This is the way we take a bath
Before we go to bed.

This is the way we...
...eat a snack...
...brush our teeth...
...put on pajamas...
...say goodnight...

Help your child think about their own bedtime routine and then put it into this song!  This is a great way to help children think about the events in their day and to put them in  logical order (usually we take a bath, then put on our PJs - not the other way around.)  At Storytime tonight we brushed our teeth and then we realized we hadn't had our bedtime snack, so we ate the snack and then brushed our teeth again!


One of tonight's stories, Tell Me What We Did Today, is rather unique in that it encourages you to make connections between the story being told in the book and the story being lived out in your child's life!  It does this by offering prompts - places throughout the story where you are invited to put down the book and spend some time talking with your child about his or her day.  A child's ability to remember past events and then put his thoughts into words will greatly enhance his reading and learning skills!


Each Papa Bear & Me Storytime includes activities that support one or more of the five early literacy practices identified as essential in helping your child develop the skills they need before they can learn to read. The five practices – singing, talking, reading, playing and writing –were developed for Every Child Ready to Read®, an initiative of the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

We had a record turnout for Papa Bear and me Storytime tonight!  Thanks to all the parents (especially you Dads!) who made it a priority to attend with your child.  Our next Papa Bear and Me Storytime will be on Tuesday, February 26 at 7 PM!

~ Mrs. B.

Bears!

Presented at Welcome School on Friday, January 18, 2013.

Books:

Tell Me The Day Backwards by Albert Lamb, illustrated by David McPhail




The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner






Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker



Activities:

Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster!  How fast can you go??!)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your toes,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go to bed,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, rest your head,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say "good night".


Enrichment
I spoke briefly with the children about how fun it can be to try and remember what they did during the course of a day - and then try to remember it all backwards!  Every Child Ready to Read® advocates talking to, and with, your child to encourage conversation and the ability to express one's self.  Today's book by Albert Lamb, Tell Me The Day Backwards can provide a wonderful opportunity to encourage narrative skills with your child. In this story, Timmy Bear and his mommy try to remember everything he did that day, recalling it all - backwards.  Try this with your child, starting with just 2 or 3 events.  After breakfast, for example, help your child remember that before breakfast he got dressed, and before that he woke up! With age and practice your child will be able to recall quite a few of the day's activities.  And as he recalls past events we will come to better understand the order of his activities and the passing of time.

I always look forward to seeing all the wonderful students and teachers at Welcome School!  The children were very attentive and really seemed to enjoy the stories today.  They taught me a song again this month - a song about a very big and tall snowman and what happened when the sun came out!!

Peter Sarpy Early Head Start

Presented at Peter Sarpy Early Head Start on Thursday, January 17, 2013.

Book:

Songs:

Let's Shout Hooray!
(tune: Old McDonald)

At storytime we have (child's name) today.
We're so glad, let's shout hooray!

Pop! Goes the Weasel

All around the cobbler's bench,
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought t'was all in fun.
POP! goes the weasel!

A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle.
That's the way the money goes.
POP! goes the weasel!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.




Activities:


Good Morning, Toes

Good morning, toes,
Good morning, toes,
And how are you today?
I trust you had a good night's sleep
And now you're ready to play!

Enjoy saying good morning to a variety of places on your young one's body!




Bounce, Tickle and Kiss!

I bounce you here... (rest)  (rest)
I bounce you there... (rest)  (rest)
I bounce you, bounce you everywhere!

I tickle you here... (rest)  (rest)
I tickle you there... (rest)  (rest)
I tickle you, tickle you everywhere!

I kiss you here... (rest)  (rest)
I kiss you there... (rest)  (rest)
I kiss you, kiss you everywhere!



Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

My friends at Early Head Start were so much fun today!  I think I could have stayed until suppertime taking requests for songs!  Along with the songs I planned (above), we also sang "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus".  The children, Miss Kendra and Miss Katie helped me learn a fun song about some very sleepy rabbits!  It was nice to have so many of the children's parents there to share in the songs and activities!

Toddler Storytime - Bears!

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Thursday, January 17, 2013.

Books:

Tell Me The Day Backwards by Albert Lamb, illustrated by David McPhail






The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner




Songs:

Storytime Has Ended
(tune: "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")

Storytime has ended, has ended, has ended.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.

(Children wave to each other as we continue)
'Til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet, 'til we meet.
Storytime has ended 'til we meet again.


Activities:

Our Hands Say Hello!
Our hands say hello with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say hello with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
Turn around and take a bow.
Sit right down. It's Storytime now!
Ten Little Fingers
I have ten little fingers (show 10 fingers)
And they all belong to me. (place hands on chest to indicate ownership)
I can make them do things. (let fingers dance in front of you)
Would you like to see?

I can put them up high, (reach up high)
I can put them down low. (bend down low)
I can make them hide, (hide hands behind back, in pockets, etc.)
And I can fold them so. (fold hands in front of you)

(Once you know this rhyme, try saying it again - a little faster...and even faster!  How fast can you go??!)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your toes,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go to bed,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, rest your head,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the lights,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say "good night".

Children were invited to bring a favorite stuffed bear with them to Storytime today.  We had a fun variety of bears join us!  We supplied bears for those who forgot or did not know about today's "Bears" theme.  Our bears really seemed to enjoy helping us out on our Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear rhyme!

Enrichment
I spoke briefly with the adults about the importance of narrative skills.  Every Child Ready to Read® advocates talking to, and with, your child to encourage conversation and the ability to express one's self.  Today's book by Albert Lamb, Tell Me The Day Backwards can provide a wonderful opportunity to encourage narrative skills with your child. In this story, Timmy Bear and his mommy try to remember everything he did that day, recalling it all - backwards.  Try this with your child, starting with just 2 or 3 events.  After breakfast, for example, help your child remember that before breakfast he got dressed, and before that he woke up! With age and practice your child will be able to recall quite a few of the day's activities.  And as he recalls past events we will come to better understand the order of his activities and the passing of time.

We registered a new friend, Jaylee, today at Storytime!  We hope you had fun and will be a regular participant at Toddler Storytime!

Next week's theme: BLUE!  Wear something BLUE to Storytime, if you'd like!

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

Book:

Songs:

Let's Shout Hooray!
(tune: Old McDonald)

At storytime we have (child's name) today.
We're so glad, let's shout hooray!


Pop! Goes the Weasel

All around the cobbler's bench,
The monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought t'was all in fun.
POP! goes the weasel!

A penny for a spool of thread,
A penny for a needle.
That's the way the money goes.
POP! goes the weasel!


Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.




Activities:


Good Morning, Toes

Good morning, toes,
Good morning, toes,
And how are you today?
I trust you had a good night's sleep
And now you're ready to play!

Enjoy saying good morning to a variety of places on your baby's body!




Bounce, Tickle and Kiss!

I bounce you here... (rest)  (rest)
I bounce you there... (rest)  (rest)
I bounce you, bounce you everywhere!

I tickle you here... (rest)  (rest)
I tickle you there... (rest)  (rest)
I tickle you, tickle you everywhere!

I kiss you here... (rest)  (rest)
I kiss you there... (rest)  (rest)
I kiss you, kiss you everywhere!



Our Hands Say Goodbye

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.
Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Let's do it again!"

Our hands say goodbye with a clap, clap, clap.Our feet say goodbye with a tap, tap, tap.
Clap, clap, clap,
Tap, tap, tap.
We roll our hands around and say... "Goodbye!"

Our ExploreTime Activity this week was musical instruments! We enjoyed experimenting with jingle bells, triangle, wood blocks, guiro, rhythm sticks, sand blocks, cymbals and maracas!  There was lots of joyful noise-making in the Storytime Room this week!  It is so important to expose your child to music and singing.  The rhythms we hear in music are also present in our spoken language, so hearing and emphasizing those rhythms are important to a child's language development.  Every Child Ready to Read® recommends sharing music with your child as a way to help them hear the smaller parts of words.  Music often lengthens words which allows us more chances to hear syllables and, eventually, their individual sounds.  The example I use is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".  Try reciting the song, then singing it. The spoken words "twinkle", "little", "wonder", "above" and "diamond" become "twin-kle", "litt-le", "won-der", "a-bove" and "dia-mond".

Last Tuesday's small but mighty group of 4 grew to thirteen this week!  It was the perfect size group for lots of playing, singing and conversing!  Hopefully the numbers will continue to even out in the weeks ahead!  One of the newest children at Storytime is Estella.  We are so glad to have her and Mommy join us!

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue West High School Early Head Start on Thursday, January 10, 2013.


Book:

Mama Mama/Papa Papa by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Laura Regan


















Songs:

Hello Friends!
(tune: "Goodnight Ladies")

Hello (child's name),
Hello  (repeat child's name),
Hello (repeat child's name),
We're glad you came today!

(We sing this as many times as needed until each child has been serenaded!)


Hands Up High

(tune: "London Bridge")

First we wave our hands up high,
Hands up high, hands up high.
First we wave our hands up high.
Then we clap them!

Then we roll our hands down low,
Hands down low, hands down low.
Then we roll our hands down low.
Then we hide them!
 

These Little Fingers
(tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

(Help your child wiggle his fingers or wiggle yours in front of him!)
These little fingers go
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
These little fingers go
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
And now they're on my head!

(Pat fingers on baby's head)
These little fingers go
Pat, pat, pat,
Pat, pat, pat,
Pat, pat, pat.
These little fingers go
Pat, pat, pat,
And now they're on my tummy!

(Gently rub baby's tummy)
These little fingers go
Rub, rub, rub,
Rub, rub, rub,
Rub, rub, rub.
These little fingers go
Rub, rub, rub,
And now they're on my ...

(choose another part of baby's body and continue singing!)


Activities:

Good Morning Toes

Good morning toes,
Good morning toes
And how are you today?
I trust you had a good night’s sleep
And now you’re ready to play.
 
Good morning knees…
Good morning tummy…
Good morning hands…
Good morning cheeks…
(lay child in front of you and touch each of baby’s body parts)

Icka Backa Soda Cracker
Icka backa soda cracker,
Icka backa boo!
Icka backa soda cracker
Up goes you!
(bounce baby side to side, then lift up on “up goes you”)

Icka backa soda cracker,
Icka backa boo!
Icka backa soda cracker
I love you!
(bounce baby side to side, then hug on “I love you”)

 

I shared with the parents today about the importance of reading to their children.  Board books, with their thick pages and sturdy binding, are ideal for babies and toddlers!  I spoke briefly about the importance of exposing their children to the rich vocabulary of our language.  Every Child Ready to Read® encourages parents and educators to introduce a wide variety of words to their children.  This practice will aid children significantly when they start learning to read. The more words your child knows, the better his ability to recognize them in written form once he begins sounding out words.


Thank you for the privilege of interacting with your precious little ones each month.  It is such a pleasure to see your little ones grow and develop and share their unique personalities!
~ Mrs. B.