Cover Sheet – For the Presenter
The following storyhour program is designed for babies up to about 24
months.
You don’t have to read the leader’s comments word-for-word, but try to
include the information in your own words especially the asides to the
parents. The information that is just for you is in italics – so don’t read that
text.
Lapsit programs are as much for the parents/caregivers and for the
children. They model activities that parents can use at home. At this age,
we focus mainly on two of the six literacy skills: Print Motivation and
Phonological Awareness – enjoyment of books (with techniques that make
reading fun) and discovering the smaller sounds that make up words (through
songs and rhymes.)
Notice that this storytime includes fewer books and more “bouncing”
rhymes. Encourage caregivers to bounce their babies in rhythm and do the
actions that go along with the rhymes.
Feel free to substitute your own opening and closing rhymes as well as any
suitable rhymes that the children have heard before. Repetition of songs
and action rhymes from previous storytimes is better than introducing all
new ones.
The general outline of our storytime is:
I.
Opening Song
II.
Welcome/Introductory Comments
III.
Action Rhyme
IV.
Rhyme
V.
Book
VI.
Rhyme
VII.
Book
VIII. Action Rhyme
IX.
Closing Song
“Baby Bug-gy” (Bugs for Babies)
Opening Song
Start with a simple song, sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”)
Come on in it’s storytime
Storytime
Storytime
Come on in it’s storytime
We’re happy that you’re here.
Sit right down for storytime
Storytime
Storytime
Sit right down for storytime
We’ll have a lot of fun
Settle in for storytime
Storytime
Storytime
Settle in for storytime
We’re ready to begin.
(Repeat the first two verses several times if necessary as children are
arriving. Then add the third verse. Note: If you are uncomfortable singing,
you might ask someone who is more musical to make a recording for you to
play as the group gathers.)
Introduction
To the caregivers:
Welcome to storytime. I am glad you could all be here today. We
are going to be sharing some rhymes and books about bugs. We
call this “lapsit storytime” because it is important for babies to
have a lap to sit on and an adult to help them with the movements.
Feel free to take a break if your child becomes unhappy.
Let’s start with some rhymes. Songs and rhymes are a good way
for children to become aware of the different sounds that make up
words – we call this phonologic awareness.
Action Rhyme
Let’s start with an old favorite (put up the large print copy):
The Itsy Bitsy spider went up the waterspout
Fingers climb up arm.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
While wiggling fingers lower arms from above head. Swish hands
apart.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
Raise arms up high and touch fingers to make a circle of sun. While
wiggling fingers raise arms above head.
Then, the Itsy Bitsy spider went up the spout again
Fingers climb up arm.
Rhyme
To the caregivers:
You may want to remove your baby’s shoes for this rhyme – which
is a new version of “This Little Piggy Went to Market!”
This little red ant went traveling
This little red ant stayed home
This little red ant ate sugar cubes
This little red ant ate none
This little ant went scurry, scurry, scurry
All the way home
-2-
Book
To the Caregivers:
We are going to read this book together now. Your baby will
enjoy listening even if they can’t see or understand the story. I will
read with a higher pitch and some exaggerated expression to make
it more interesting. You might try this at home.
Read The Very Hungry Caterillar by Eric Carle or another bug book that has
colorful pictures and few words. You can print flannelboard pieces for the
Very Hungry Caterpillar from the DLTK website at http://www.dltkteach.com/books/hungrycaterpillar/index.htm so that you can retell the
story and demonstrate good dialogic reading techniques if you have children
who are early talkers.
Rhyme
To the caregivers:
Try bouncing your child gently or clapping his or her hands along
with the next rhyme -- it will help your child get a feel for the
rhythm of language.
Demonstrate clapping hands (pat-a-cake style) in rhythm with this rhyme.
You might want to use a large doll or teddy bear as your “baby.” This rhyme
also shows that old nursery rhymes can be used even though they don’t make
sense to the child – it is the rhythm and rhyme that are important. Note:
Make sure that “been” rhymes with “Queen” – in a sort of “snooty” voice.
Little bug, little bug,
Where have you been?
I’ve been to London
To visit the Queen.
Little bug, little bug,
What did you there?
I was so scared,
I hid under her chair!
Book
[Select another bug book from your collection. If you have a book version of
“Eensy, Weensy Spider,” you might use that – a good opportunity for
repetition!]
Action Rhyme
Fireflies
(Sing to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot.” Make up a few actions to go along
with the words. Note: You will find ASL signs for the highlighted words at
http://www.mybabycantalk.com – try adding a few signs to the actions you
use at storytimes.)
I’m a little firefly
Small and bright
I fly in the dark
And blink my light
When the sun is sinking
And it’s night
You will see me glow
As I take flight.
~S. Gruber
Closing Rhyme
(This rhyme is patterned after “Ring Around the Rosie.” So, the children
who are old enough might form a circle and march around (with a little
parental direction). The third line is said slowly (like “ashes, ashes” in the
traditional rhyme). Add some hand gestures that go along with the words,
too – such as picking and smelling the buttercup. (See
http://www.mybabycantalk.com for “fish,” “bunny,” “bird,” and “bee.” Feel
free to shorten the rhyme by omitting verses or simply repeat the last verse
2 or 3 times. You might put up large print copies of the verses that you are
using so that the parents can join in.)
-4-
Swim in the blue sea
With the little fish
Wiggle, wiggle
Splishy, splashy, splish
Hop through the green grass
Just like a bunny
Hip hop, hip hop
Don’t we look funny?
Walk on the sidewalk
All around the town
Marching, marching
‘Til we all fall down
Sit in a meadow
Pick a buttercup
Sniff it, sniff it
Now we all jump up
Fly ‘round the bird’s nest
Hear the birdies peep
No more chirping
Now they’re fast asleep
Ring ‘round the beehive
Singing as we roam
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz
Now we all run home
S. Gruber
To the caregivers:
Feel free to stay a while and visit or check out some books to take
home. (Point out any brochures or tip sheets that you have on
display for parents, etc.)
After Storytime Activities:
We like the idea of providing a simple craft, activity, or social time at the end of
storyhour. Something simple is fine. This gives parents a chance to visit and it reinforces what the children learned.
A good craft for parents of infants would be a simple mobile made with drinking straws,
string and brightly colored butterfly cut outs. Infants respond especially well to black,
white, red and yellow. Butterfly shapes are provided in color and black & white at the
end of this document.
Encourage caregivers to look for books to take home and browse through any brochures
you have available.
Photocopy the take home materials so that the learning continues all week!
-6-
Baby Bug-gy
(Bugs for Babies)
Take-Home Sheet
Read to your baby often. Your baby enjoys listening to your voice, even if
they don’t understand what you are reading. Read with a lot of expression
and a slightly higher pitch – we call this “parentese.”
Rhymes and songs are important ways to teach about the rhythm of language
and the sounds that make up words (“phonological awareness”). Try these
rhymes from today’s storytime – and remember some favorites from your
own childhood!
New Version of “This Little Piggy”
This little red ant went traveling
This little red ant stayed home
This little red ant ate sugar cubes
This little red ant ate none
This little ant went scurry, scurry, scurry
All the way home
Little Bug, Little Bug
Little bug, little bug,
Where have you been?
I’ve been to London
To visit the Queen.
Little bug, little bug,
What did you there?
I was so scared,
I hid under her chair!
Babies also like hearing and making animal sounds and sounds of mechanical
things. Look for books that feature lots of sounds and read them with lots
of enthusiasm! Try singing this rhyme to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus” –
(and add your own verses, too!)
The bees in the hive go buzz, buzz, buzz
Buzz, buzz, buzz
Buzz, buzz, buzz
The bees in the hive go buzz, buzz, buzz
All through the day.
The pigs on the farm go oink, oink, oink
Oink, oink, oink
Oink, oink, oink.
The pigs on the farm go oink, oink, oink
All through the day.
The cows in the meadow go moo, moo, moo;
Moo, moo, moo;
Moo, moo, moo.
The cows in the meadow go moo, moo, moo
All through the day.
The horses in the barn go Neigh, neigh, neigh;
Neigh, neigh, neigh;
Neigh, neigh, neigh.
The horses in the barn go Neigh, neigh, neigh,
All through the day.
The chickens in the coop go peep, peep, peep
Peep, peep, peep,
Peep, peep, peep.
The chickens in the coop go peep, peep, peep
All through the day.
The cricket in the grass goes chirp, chirp, chirp
Chirp, chirp, chirp
Chirp, chirp, chirp
The cricket in the grass goes chirp, chirp, chirp
At the ending of the day.
Baby Mobile Pattern -- Color
Print one copy for each participant; they may glue the pictures to brightly
colored construction paper backing if desired, then cut them out (they don’t
need to be cut precisely!). Punch holes for string as in the sample.
(Remember to keep mobiles out of the reach of infants!)
Baby Mobile Pattern – Black & White
Print one copy for each participant on colored paper (preferably yellow and
red); they may glue the pictures to brightly colored construction paper
backing if desired, then cut the shapes out (they don’t need to be cut
precisely!). Punch holes for string as in the example. (Remember to keep
mobiles out of the reach of infants!)