Baby & Me Storytime

This storytime was presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Book:
Rain, Rain, Go Away by Caroline Jayne Church

(This is one of the new board book kits purchased through a mini-grant from Read Aloud Nebraska.  We thank RAN for considering our grant request and showing their support for our Baby & Me Storytime Program!)


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!)

The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
'Round and 'round.
'Round and 'round.
The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round,
All through the town.

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish...
The babies on the bus go up and down...


Rhymes:

Right Hand, Left Hand

Right hand, left hand,

Put them on your head.

Right hand, left hand,

Put them all to bed.

Right hand, left hand,

Put them on your chest,

Right hand, left hand,

Give them both a rest!

Pat-a-Cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,

Bake me a cake as fast as you can.

Roll it and pat it and mark it with a “B”,

And put it in the oven for baby and me!

Goodbye Rhyme

Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.

Two little hands lay in my lap.

Two little feet go bump, bump, bump.

Two little feet give one big jump.

Two little hands reach oh so high.

Two little hands wave bye, bye, bye.

Our activity this week was board books!
We enjoyed looking at some of the 40+ board books we have for use during Storytime. Some have mirrors while others feature interesting textures, flaps to lift, googly eyes, squeakers, and wheels!

This is a good opportunity to remind my Storytime families that I do NOT usually charge for damage (or even total destruction!) of board books that are checked out for your use. The books are to be enjoyed by babies, and that often means they will be yanked on, chewed on, stepped on and drooled on!  While I don't condone allowing children to willfully damage books, it's important for babies to get their hands on this type of books. And that usually means a fair amount of wear-and-tear!  So please don't let your concern over keeping the board books in perfect condition keep you from checking them out from our library!
Note: For those of you reading this who live outside the Bellevue, Nebraska area, and are patrons of a library other than the Bellevue Public Library in Bellevue, Nebraska, please consult your local library regarding its Damaged Materials Policy. The policy I mentioned above may not accurately reflect the policy of your particular library!
  ~ Mrs. B.


Here are some other photos from this week's sessions:

Library News:
This week we welcomed new friends Isaiah, Rehema and Scarlett! We hope you had fun this week and will join us again very soon!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014!

Each Baby & 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).

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 5, 2013.

Book:
Hugs and Kisses by Roberta Grobel Intrater

Songs:

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow,
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way!

Bells on bobtail ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a
One-horse open sleigh! (repeat)



Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.

Pat your knees...
Tap your feet...
Jump up high...
Give a hug...
Blow a kiss...
Wave hello...



Activities:

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

We used this chant for our introductions this week.  As we went around the circle, we repeated the chant for each child, inserting their name in place of the word "friends".


Pizza, Pizza, Pumpernickel

Pizza, pizza, pumpernickel,
My little baby shall have a tickle.
One on the nose,
One on the toes,
And one of the tummy where the pizza goes!


I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart
And it goes thump, thump, thump.
It keeps right on beating
When I jump, jump. jump.

I get a special feeling
When I look at you,
It makes me want to give you
A kiss or two!

Two Little Hands

Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
Two little hands lay in my lap.
Two little feet go bump, bump, bump.
Two little feet give one big jump!
Two little hands reach oh, so high.
Two little hands wave bye, bye, bye.

Our activity this week was Board Books!


Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be Tuesday, December 10 and Thursday, December 12, 2013.

Each Baby & 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).

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, October 1st and Thursday, October 3rd, 2013.

Book:
Splash! by Roberta Grobel Intrater

Songs:

Let's Shout Hooray!
(tune: "Old MacDonald")

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


Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.


Baby, Baby, Wash Your Hands

Baby, Baby, wash your hands.
Baby's bath is fun!
Baby, Baby, wash your hands.
Now your hands are done!

Additional verses:
Baby, Baby, wash your
...feet
...tummy
...face
...ears
...knees

Final verse:

Baby, Baby, here's your towel.
Baby's bath is fun!
Baby, Baby, here's your towel.
Now your bath is done!

Activities:

One Little Baby Splashing in the Sea

One little baby rocking in a tree. (adult gently rocks child)
Two little babies splashing in the sea. (adult/child make "splashing" motion)
Three little babies crawling on the floor. (move hands in "walking" motion in front of child)
Four little babies knocking at the door. (make a fist and "knock" in the air)
Five little babies playing hide and seek. (cover eyes with hands)
Don't look!  Don't look!
Until I say...PEEK! (uncover eyes)


Rub-a-Dub-Dub, One Child In a Tub

Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
One foot with toes,
(point to parts of child's body)
A hand, a nose,
As clean as they can be!
(rub hands together)

Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
Two ears, a cheek,
(point to parts of child's body)
So clean they squeak,
(gently rub child's cheeks)
A chin, a tummy, a knee.
(point to parts of child's body)

Rub -a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
Legs and arms,
So clean and warm.
Do they have a hug for me?

Our activity this week was Board Books! Some books prompted us to identify animals or make their sounds, some had glittery, furry or fuzzy patches which really caught our attention.  We also have several books that contain a mirror!  It's always fun to see ourselves in the mirror! 

This week we welcomed new friends Olivia, Ella, Gabriel and Annalise!

We didn't have any birthdays to celebrate at Storytime on Tuesday, although today, October 1, marks a special day in the Boeckman household. Twenty-nine years ago, Mr. B. and I welcomed our firstborn, Kayti Clare to our family!  Happy Birthday, Kayti!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be on Tuesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 17, 2013!


Library News:
There will be no storytimes next week.  However, we will be presenting a marionette puppet show on Wednesday, October 9 at 10 AM.  "Adventures in Wonderland" will be performed by Puppeteer Brian Henning using puppets from the Bellevue Library's collection.  These puppet shows usually last no more than 30 minutes, so children who are not used to live theater can get a gentle introduction.  I hope you can join us next Wednesday!


To all my Storytime parents: love your little ones.  Hold them, read and sing to them, play with them, make lots and lots of wonderful memories.  These years go by soooo quickly!    ~ Mrs. B.

Each Baby & 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).

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on July 11, 2013.

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



Songs:

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

Hello, Friends!
Hello, Friends!
Hello, Friends!
We're glad you came today!


You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.



Clap, Clap Hands
(tune: "This Old Man")

Clap your hands, one, two, three.
Play a clapping game with me.
Now your hands have gone away.
Bring them back so we can play!


Activities:

Pudding on the Plate

Pudding on the plate,
Pudding on the plate,
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble,
Pudding on the plate.

Candies in the jar,
Candies in the jar,
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble,
Candies in the jar.

Candles on the cake,
Candles on the cake,
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble,
Candles on the cake.


   

                                              

Our activity this week was Board Books!

Library News: This is our last week of Baby & Me Storytimes for the summer.  We will start up again right after Labor Day!

Each Baby & 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).

Every Child Ready to Read^® @ your library^®, PLA and ALSC logos are registered trademarks of the American Library Association and are used with permission.

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on March 19 & 20, 2013.
Presented at Peter Sarpy Early Head Start on March 21, 2013.

Book:
Hugs and Kisses by Roberta Grobel Intrater

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!)


Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.



Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Clap your hands together.

Pat your knees...
Tap your feet...
Jump up high...
Give a hug...
Blow a kiss...
Wave hello...


Activities:

One Little Baby Rocking In The Sea

One little baby rocking in a tree. (adult gently rocks child)
Two little babies splashing in the sea. (adult/child make "splashing" motion)
Three little babies crawling on the floor. (move hands in "walking" motion in front of child)
Four little babies knocking at the door. (make a fist and "knock" in the air)
Five little babies playing hide and seek. (cover eyes with hands)
Don't look!  Don't look!
Until I say...PEEK! (uncover eyes)



Rub-a-Dub-Dub, One Child In a Tub
Rub-a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
One foot with toes,
(point to parts of child's body)
A hand, a nose,
As clean as they can be!
(rub hands together)

Rub -a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
Two ears, a cheek,
(point to parts of child's body)
So clean they squeak,
(gently rub child's cheeks)
A chin, a tummy, a knee.
(point to parts of child's body)

Rub -a-dub-dub, one child in a tub,
(rub knuckles gently up and down child's chest)
Tell me what you see.
Legs and arms,
So clean and warm.
Do they have a hug for me?



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!"

Each Baby & 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).

Our ExploreTime Activity at the library this week was Board Books!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime at the library will be March 26 & 27, 2013!

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 12 & 13, 2013.

Book:

Hug, hug, hug! by Emily Jenkins and Tomek Bogacki




Songs:

(We used this song at Tuesday's Storytime)
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!)


(We used this song at Wednesday's Storytime)
Welcome to Storytime!
(tune: Old McDonald)

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


You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away!

I Can Make My Baby Smile
(tune: "Muffin Man'")

I can make my baby smile,
My baby smile, my baby smile.
I can make my baby smile
When I tickle your toes!

You can also substitute "laugh" for "smile"!
Additional verses:
When I tickle your...nose, tummy, feet, chin, etc.



Activities:

I Have a Little Heart

I have a little heart and it goes thump, thump, thump.
It keeps right on beating when I jump, jump, jump.
I get a special feeling when I look at you!
It makes me want to give you a kiss or two!

Pudding on the Plate

(sway gently from side to side with your child)
Pudding on the plate, pudding on the plate,
Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble,
Pudding on the plate.

(shake* or bounce gently with your child)
Candies in the jar, candies in the jar,
Shake them up, shake them up,
Candies in the jar.

Candles on the cake, candles on the cake,
Blow them out, blow them out,
Candles on the cake.
(gently blow in your child's face!)

*  Always remember that any playtime activity that involves shaking should be done very gently.  One way to let your child experience the feeling of shaking is to gently bounce him on your lap.


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 board books!
Every Child Ready to Read® recommends giving your child lots of opportunities to hear stories being read to them.  Babies of all ages can enjoy board books.  From their thick pages to their bright colors to their familiar subjects, board books are a wonderful way for babies to explore their world.  I spoke with parents and caregivers today about the benefits of helping their children make connections between what they see in a book and what they see or experience in real life.  Use a book that includes a picture of a dog to talk about the dog you have in your family. A picture of an apple can lead to helping your child hold and taste an apple or applesauce, while you talk about the apple's color, shape, size, texture, etc.

This week we welcomed new friends Cole and his big sister Grace!  We hope you had fun today and will visit often!

Our next Baby and Me Storytime will be Tuesday and Wednesday, February 19 & 20, 2013!

Library News:
We are gearing up for our annual celebration of Dr. Seuss, which will be held February 25 - March 2.  There will be daily activities at the DIY Table in the Children's Area.  Our big event is our 10th annual Seussathon, an 8-hour reading marathon, held on Saturday, March 2 from 9 AM - 5 PM.  People of all ages are invited to stop by the library anything that day and enjoy a comfy atmosphere of our special reading room, lots of Dr. Seuss books to read, freebies, door prizes, and great food donated by local businesses! 

Check out my "Seussathon: Nine Years and counting!" entry for photos from Seussathons 2004-2012!

** As an added bonus, anyone who "likes" us on Facebook can take part in daily activities on Feb. 25 - Mar. 1.  Make a comment or answer the daily question and you will receive an additional drawing slip for the Seussathon door prize drawing!

Each Baby & 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).

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.

 

Baby & Me Storytime

Presented at Bellevue Public Library on Tuesday, January 8 and Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

Book:

Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Laura Regan





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!)


Hands Up High
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!
 

You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.



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”)

 

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 board books!  Board books, with their thick pages and sturdy binding, are ideal for babies! We have a large selection for use during Storytime and an even larger selection for checkout!   Consider going on a Picture Walk with your child, especially if there is quite a lot of text in your child's book.  Every Child Ready to Read® encourages the use of Picture Walking for its many benefits. My Baby & Me Storytime blog entry from 10/3/12 has more information about picture walking.

We had 2 babies and 2 moms join us for our first-ever Tuesday Baby & Me Storytime, and a total of 41 babies and parents on Wednesday!  Hopefully the numbers will even out in the weeks ahead!  We welcomed several new little ones today: Henry, Brilyn, and Milo (as well as two others who did not get registered, so I don't want to make a mistake on their names.  I will welcome them by name next week!)  We also celebrated with two of our friends who are having birthdays.   Easton's birthday is today and Lucas' is on Friday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both! 

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