Baby storytimes are a unique joy! In addition to sharing the best board books on offer, these storytimes are where we first meet families and set their expectations for what library programs look like. So why do they so often look like the version of storytime that plagues libraries, where children sit in their caregiver’s lap and stare forward at library staff as they read? Obviously, some of this is a necessity of baby development. Babies aren’t ready to jump up on their feet like toddlers, but caregivers are ready to help babies move. By incorporating more movement, we support caregivers in working towards developmental milestones and learning what a more active and engaged storytime looks like.
Tag: Baby Storytime
Baby Storytimes for Improved Maternal Health
Book Babies, our library’s weekly story time for infants, had just wrapped when a mom approached me with her five-month-old daughter in her arms. “I’m so sorry we haven’t been here for a while,” she began, “but her naps changed, and we couldn’t get out the door on time. . .” She paused and I saw that she was beginning to tear up, so I jumped in with über-cheerfulness. “It’s fine! I’m so glad you’re here today!” I assured her. “Look, you made it out the door, and you’re both dressed; that’s huge! Congrats!” The mom relaxed a bit, and spoke like she was making a confession. “This has been so great for us, this program. I’ve really missed coming.” I noticed the mom said she had missed attending, not the baby. This was an important reminder for me that library programs offered for babies are not just beneficial for…
Baby Storytime Songs
Baby storytime is my FAVORITE! Baby storytime songs have been on my mind lately because storytimes just started up again for the season. Generally, I stick to a few favorite songs because repetition is so important for the littles. Repetition also helps the adults learn the songs and they are more likely to join in if they know the songs well. Occasionally, I add a new song if there is a fun theme for the week. Songs can create a structure in storytime which helps them know what to expect. Having a starting song or two and a few songs in between books is a great place to start. Singing is also one of the five early literacy practices! It helps slow down language and often has different notes for each syllable. I think songs are just as important as books in storytime, especially for babies and toddlers.
Focusing on Pronouns @ Baby Storytime
Hello! My name is Katelyn Martens-Rodriguez and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a children’s librarian for Washington County Library at the Park Grove Library in Cottage Grove, MN. This is my first ALSC blog post and I’m excited to share how I address pronouns at baby storytime! Baby storytimes are the ideal place to foster conversations with grown-ups so they are more likely to talk with their babies (or toddlers) about the same content at home. Pronouns are often an important part of someone’s identity. Therefore, I find it important to talk about pronouns at storytimes regularly and focus on them specifically a few times a year. For baby storytime, I like to use The Pronoun Book and integrate the three most oftenly used pronouns in the songs and rhymes. These pronouns include: The main rhyme I like to pair with this text is Little Mousie Brown. I encourage grown-ups…
Can Babies Benefit from Virtual Storytime?
The virtual storytimes I have been holding for toddlers and preschoolers have been more successful than I had hoped…or feared. Children have been much more engaged and responsive via Zoom than I believed they would. They dance along to the songs. They join in on fingerplays. And they have a lot to say at the end of storytime when we say “hello” to each participant. However, the question remained…what to do with babies? I’ve been experimenting and would like to share some thoughts.
Supercharge Baby Storytime to Support Social Learning
Baby Storytime at the library starts again in a matter of weeks, so it’s a good time to regroup by reflecting on past programs and Supercharging future program plans with interactive books and activities that support early literacy skills.