Baby Story Time - Jan. 24, 2013 - What was read

Today marked the first day of a new event that you'll be seeing happening at Blue Bell: BABY STORY TIME!

Baby Story Time at Blue Bell is a story time session geared specifically toward babies (ages 6 months to 23 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.

Our next session will be January 31, 2013, at 10:30 AM. Be sure to sign up to save your seat as spaces are limited.

What We Read:

• Where is Baby's Yummy Tummy? - JJ BOARD KAT
  - Colorful babies and fun flaps! Perfect for babies who love peek-a-boo. This Karen Katz, Lift-the-Flap Book looks at various body parts that are hidden under common household items.
• Show Me! by Tom Tracy - JJ BOARD TRA
  - More body parts! This one focuses on a few of the same as well as new body parts. No lift the flaps, but the activities suggested by the text you can do with your baby.
• My Teeth - JJ BOARD MY
  -A simple counting book shows children at various stages with their teeth. From 1 to 10, babies can see the teeth in a child's mouth and count the teeth. The last few pages discuss what we do with teeth.
• I Can Help - JJ COS
  - A little duckling is lost, which starts a cycle of other helpful friends who help each other until the end, when it all starts over again.

What We Did

• Sang: "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" while pointing to the body part.
• Clapped, waved, patted and hugged as part of a "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" adaptation. 
• Sang my favorite opening and closing songs: "If You'd Like to Hear a Story" and "The More We Get Together.'

Early Literacy Tip

• Sing! Singing is a great opportunity for children to hear words broken down into each syllable. How? Generally, the rhythm and notes to a song dictate how the word is sung. Listen to the songs as we sing today and adults, when you are listening to your own music, take a moment to hear how other singers break down the words. Sing to your child and sing along with him or her when she or he starts singing. Babbling through a song is perfectly OK.
• Example: take a familiar song like"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and change the words up a bit. You can then apply it to any situation or topic you'd like.