Cover Sheet for the Presenter s1

Cover Sheet – For the Presenter

The following storyhour program is designed for babies up to about 24 months.

You don’t have to read the leader’s comments word-for-word, but try to include the information in your own words especially the asides to the parents. The information that is just for you is in italics – so don’t read that text.

The general outline of our storytime is:

I. Opening Song

II. Welcome/Introductory Comments

III. Action Rhyme

IV. Action Rhyme

V. Book

VI. Bouncing Song

VII. Book

VIII. Action Rhyme

IX. Book (if time permits)

X. Closing Song

Notice that this baby or “lapsit” storytime includes fewer books and more “bouncing” rhymes. Encourage caregivers to bounce their babies along with the rhymes.

Feel free to substitute your own opening and closing rhymes as well as any suitable rhymes that the children have heard before. Repetition of songs and action rhymes from previous storytimes is better than introducing all new ones.

You can create flannel board pieces using clipart that comes with your word processing program – simply enlarge the artwork to a suitable size.

You might also enlarge some of the rhymes and display those to help the adults join in.

We like the idea of offering a simple craft or activity after your storytime has officially ended to encourage caregivers to visit and look at your library’s books and brochures.

Photocopy the take home materials so that the learning continues all week!

Bounce Me On Your Knee

Opening Song (to the tune of “Happy Birthday”) You can begin singing this as the group settles in.

Good morning to you

Good morning, dear Tommy,

Good morning, to you.

(Repeat with all of the children’s names if possible – if your group is too large, just substitute “children” and sing 3 or 4 times.)

Introduction

To the caregivers:

Welcome to storytime. I am glad you could all be here today. We are going to be sharing some rhymes and books. Adults, please join in with our rhymes and actions. Some libraries call storytimes like this “lapsit storytimes” because it is important for babies to have an adult lap to sit on. Feel free to take a break if your child becomes unhappy.

Let’s start with some action rhymes. Songs and rhymes are a good way for children to become aware of the different sounds that make up words – we call this phonologic awareness. The actions and bouncing also help them get a feel for the rhythm of language – how words are divided into syllables and so on.

-1-

Action Rhyme

"Up little baby, stand up clear..."

Up, little baby, stand up clear;
Mother will hold you, do not fear;
Dimple and smile, and chuckle and crow!
There, little baby, now you know!

(repeat 3 times)

To the caregivers:

You may want to remove your baby’s shoes for this rhyme!

Action Rhyme

Everybody knows I love my toes
Everybody knows I love my toes
I love my knees
My neck and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my eyes
Everybody knows I love my eyes
I love my mouth
My ears and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my feet
Everybody knows I love my feet

I love my chin
My hands and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!

Everybody knows I love my toes
Everybody knows I love my toes
I love my legs
My neck – all those!
BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS I LOVE MY TOES!

Book

To the Caregivers:

We are going to read this book together. Your baby will enjoy listening even if they can’t see or understand the story. I will read with a higher pitch and some exaggerated expression. You can try this at home.

[Read The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear and illustrated by Louise Voce.]

Bouncing Song or Calming Song

[At this point you might decide whether the children seem to be ready for action or something soothing. Use “Hush-a-bye, baby” for calming or “Five Little Monkeys” for more bouncing.]

Hush-a-bye, Baby

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top, (with gentle rocking motion)

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,

Down will come baby, cradle and all.

(repeat 3 or 4 times)

Five Little Monkeys

[If you have a copy of Five Little Monkeys by Eileen Christelow, you might use that.]

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

-3-

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"Put those monkeys straight to bed!"

Book

[Select a book with few words and large pictures – preferably one about bubbles like Kathi Appelt’s Bubbles, Bubbles.]

Action Rhyme

[Blowing Bubbles by Jean Warren from 1001 Rhymes & Fingerplays]

Book

[Read Move! By Steve Jenkins & Robin Page or one of your own favorites.]

Closing Rhyme
(Put up the flannelboard clock as a sign that storytime is over.)

Good-bye now, good-bye.
The clock tells us we're done.
I'll see you next storytime,
Good-bye now everyone.

To the caregivers:

Feel free to stay a while and visit or check out some books to take home. (Point out any brochures or tip sheets that you have on display for parents, etc.)

After Storytime Activities:

We like the idea of providing an activity/social time at the end of storyhour. Something simple is fine. This gives parents a chance to visit and it re-inforces what the children learned.

Following today’s storytime, you might blow some bubbles. Notice the differences in development between the babies. How some babies are able to follow the bubbles with their eyes. Older ones may try to catch them. This is good practice for developing hand-eye coordination. Call this to the caregivers’ attention.

-5-

Bounce Me On Your Knee

Take-Home Sheet

Read to your baby often. Your baby enjoys listening to your voice, even if they don’t understand what you are reading. Read with a lot of expression and a slightly higher pitch – we call this “parentese.”

Rhymes and songs are important ways to teach about the rhythm of language and the sounds that make up words (“phonological awareness”). Try these rhymes from today’s storytime – and remember some favorites from your own childhood!

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
"Put those monkeys straight to bed!"

Hush-a-bye, Baby

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top,

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,

Down will come baby, cradle and all.

(repeat 3 or 4 times)

Do you know all of the words to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star?”