Baby Story Time

Hi, I'm Miss Kristen, and welcome to Baby Story Time!

Here are quick links to all of my Baby Story Time themes:

Animal Sounds

Babies
Bath
Bears
Birds
Bugs

Ducks

Fall
Farm
Food

Moon and Stars

Spring
So Big - Baby's Body

Trains

Valentine's Day

Zoo

Baby Story Time is quite unique, in that the focus of the program is much more directed at the caregivers than the children.  My program is about giving parents fun ideas of things they can do with their babies that encourage interaction and early literacy, and to model those interactions for them.

Here is my typical set-up:

The chairs are obviously for the parents, and most of the time I encourage them to keep their babies in their laps since we do a lot of lap bounces and fingerplays.  It is nice to have the space in the middle since some babies just need to move, plus we often have more adults than chairs!

I believe that music and movement are essential in any program for very young children, and that repetition is very important.  You'll find that we always follow the same basic format, and that my opening and closing songs and rhymes are always the same.

We typically read two or three short books (always read your longest book first!) with about two or three activities (lap bounces, fingerplays, nursery rhymes) between each one.  I always plan for three books, knowing that I may have to skip the last one if the babies are getting restless.  Our library is very lucky to have a nice selection of rhythm instruments, so I try to incorporate instruments every week, usually leaving these for last.

Now it's play time!  We have a wonderful selection of baby and toddler toys which we pull out every week after story time.  The babies can play and the parents can chat - everybody's happy!  I often chat with the parents as I clean up my materials, answering questions and helping them find great books for their babies.

OPENING AND CLOSING SONGS AND RHYMES (used weekly)

Opening Song:"The Hello Song" (from the cd "Splish Splash" by The Zinghoppers)
     - I play this song on my guitar.  It's cheery and welcoming, and an easy tune to remember.

     Hello, good day to you! Hello, we're glad to see you!
     Hello, good day to you! This song is just for you!

     We like you just the way you are. You're special in every way.
     You're the best at being you, and that's why we sing today!

     Hello, good day to you! Hello, we're glad to see you!
     Hello, good day to you! This song is just for you!

Greeting Song: "Hello" (to the tune of "Skip to My Lou")
     - I borrowed this from a coworker, but do not know the origin.
     - If the group is bigger than about 12 babies, we simply skip it, because it would take forever!

     Hello, how are you? Hello, how are you?
     Hello, how are you? How are you today?
     It's good to see _____ here, It's good to see ____ here,
     It's good to see _____ here. How are you today?

Closing Song: "If You're Happy and You Know It"
     - I play this song on my guitar

Goodbye Song: "Babies, Bye-Bye" (to the tune of "Goodnight, Irene" by Raffi)
     - I wrote the lyrics, after teaching myself how to play the tune.  Please credit this blog if you choose to use this song.

     I hope you liked the stories.
     I bet you could stay all day.
     Maybe you liked the songs and rhymes,
     Or maybe you just want to play.

     Babies, bye-bye. Babies, bye-bye.
     Bye-bye to you, Bye-bye to you, too.
     I'll see you next time.
     (Lyrics by Kristen Lohr, Library Village, 2013)

Closing: "Thank You" Rhyme
     - I borrowed this from a coworker, but do not know the origin.

     Our hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap.
     Our feet say thank you with a tap, tap, tap.
     Clap, clap, clap, Tap, tap, tap.
     We roll our hands around, and say, "Good-bye!"


Baby Story Time is very special to me and I absolutely love doing it.  I love being able to add that little something extra by playing my guitar, and watching the parents interact with their babies is totally rewarding.  Feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or suggestions! Thanks!