Baby Story Time - November 14 - What Was Read

Baby Story Time is going through some changes! Please be patient as I try out some new things.

This week, we had a great crowd attending for our theme on Opposites! Again, we're not teaching the concept, but working to introduce the concept and words to your baby.

Baby Story Time at Blue Bell is a story time session geared specifically toward babies (ages 6 months to 18 months). We'll read stories, sing songs, chant rhymes, and play with baby! Baby Story Time is also an event for parents and caregivers to learn about early literacy skills to help prepare baby for reading as well as to help foster a love of reading.

What We Read

• Tickle Time by Sandra Boynton - JJ BOARD BOY
• This little song inside a book is a perfect activity and opposite book to share from infant all the way up to toddlers! The words lend themselves to a beat.
•  Opposites In My House by Kristin Eck - JJ BOARD ECK
• One word a page, but each page spread shows the opposite being represented. A full photograph is show against a white background. A wonderful concept book for baby.
•  Happy Dog, Sad Dog by Sam Lloyd - JJ BOARD LLO
• When I read this, I added "We have..." and repeated that phrase for the book. You can also just read the words of this opposite book.

What We Did

• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Read Together."
• Recited a flannel rhyme called "5 Clean & Squeaky Pigs." I adapted this from a longer version I used this summer.
• Sang a song similar to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" but made it into an action activity where we clapped our hands, patted our knees, and hugged a friend.
• Recited the bounce rhyme "I bounce you here, there, everywhere." (Source)

Early Literacy Tip

• In order to better understand their world, babies need to develop background knowledge. Background knowledge is similar to laying a foundation. We’re not forcing them to learn a concept, but introducing it, maybe with books, maybe with play, helps ready your child for success in learning.
• Play is a great way to build literacy! Babies explore through their world, so play is a great opportunity to reinforce and introduce concepts for their background knowledge. When you are playing with baby, mention how something is hard or soft, light or dark, baby is up and now baby is down.