“Books & Babies” Lap Storytime For Infants 02

“books & babies” ================ lap storytime for infants 0-2 & caregivers bozeman public library ---------------------- 1. p

“Books & Babies”
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Lap storytime for infants 0-2 & caregivers
Bozeman Public Library
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1. Program is held in Library meeting room every Tuesday and Thursday
morning at 10:15 a.m. I make sure the room is childproofed, tables are
moved along the wall, and there is plenty of open space in center of
room.
2. Board books and song sheets (in plastic sheet protectors) are
displayed on the floor in a large circle. We have 20 to 35 adults
attend each program, so I try to make the circle large enough for all
to sit comfortably.
3. We begin by singing hello to each baby around the circle. We do
whatever favorite movement (wave, stomp, wiggle, clap, sway, etc.) the
parent selects.
“Let’s wave hello to Zachary, Let’s wave hello to Zachary,
Hello, hello, hello, hello, Let’s wave hello to Zachary.”
(Song is from the Kindermusik program.) If there are too many infants
to do this individually, we just all sing “Let’s clap hello, hello.
(etc.)” We do three different movements. (We do lots of rhymes in
threes.)
4. Children’s librarian leads the caregivers and babies in 15 minutes
of chants, rhymes, lap games, songs and movement. Although we have
several sheets of rhymes, we do many of the same ones over and over
again. Parents like learning them, kids like the repetition, and
nobody seems to mind that we always do our favorite ones. I do ask for
any requests, and occasionally parents have one they want to do.
5. The librarian leads the songs and rhymes. I tried at first to make
it more democratic and have other parents lead, but our parents seem
to like following along with whatever songs I choose. I intersperse
some child development and other topics of interest to parents
throughout the program. Our group has grown too large to try for any
formal type of discussion, and adding an outside speaker makes the
program too long.
6. On a table inside the door, I put parenting books and magazines
that can be checked out, lots of handouts, including the song sheets,
information about upcoming programs or parenting classes, and any new
materials they might be interested in. We get new people every week,
so it’s important to keep a supply of song sheets available.
7. At the end of the 15 minutes, we sing a final song, such as
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star” and then I bring out baskets of toys
for infants and toddlers, including balls, rattles, soft toys and pull
toys. The children play under supervision of their caregiver, while
the parents talk, introduce themselves to each other, share
information and relax. This socializing period is very important. Lots
of good stuff gets shared here: friendships form, news gets passed
along, and parents have a healthy break from being alone with their
child. I think this portion could last most of the morning if we had
the time! During this period, I model some playing, supervise the
activity so no one gets hurt, and talk to any parents that have
concerns.
8. At 11:00, after a half-hour of play, I sing “Toys away, toys away,
it’s time to put the toys away,” as I gently go around and put the
toys back in the baskets. Parents and children all help, and we push
the baskets back to the closet and wave goodbye to the toys. I gather
up all the materials, and allow the parents to ease out whenever
they’re ready. (I book the meeting room until 11:30 to allow for
leaving time.)
9. Publicity is mostly word of mouth, although I have sent out flyers
to hospitals, doctor’s offices, referral agencies, preschools and
other community groups. It’s an extremely popular program, and
continues to grow each week. At this time, we don’t limit attendance,
and we have the program every single week of the year. (I have
recently taken the month of August off to allow for more school-age
programs.) Parents are very appreciative to have a place to go once or
twice a week, and I just can’t turn anyone away. We started a second
group to alleviate the crowding, but it’s continued to get larger all
the time. There is a great need for these kind of programs now!
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Christin, Children’s Librarian
Bozeman Public Library
220 East Lamme
Bozeman, MT 59715
406-582-2404
[email protected]