Baby storytime is an excellent opportunity for caregivers to understand the importance of books, reading, talking, singing, and playing with their babies. The focus of this storytime should be the interaction of baby, caregiver and books and should reinforce that caregivers are a child’s first and best teacher. The librarian is a guide, showing the caregiver how to involve babies with books and literature and encourage reading as a fun, enjoyable activity. It’s also an opportunity to model and directly explain to caregivers what types of books and activities are best for babies.
Contents
- This Little Piggy, illustrated by Annie Kubler
- Black and White by Tana Hoban
- Baby’s Here by Jessica Young
- My First Baby Signs by Lee Ann Steyns
- Look at the Baby by Kelly Johnson
- The Baby Goes Beep by Rebecca O’Connell, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
- 12 copies: Fuzzy Fuzzy Fuzzy: a touch, skritch, & tickle book by Sandra Boynton
- Nursery Rhymes, Songs and Fingerplays booklet
- Storytimes for Everyone!: Developing Young Children’s Language and Literacy by Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Díaz
- CD: Zoom Zoom Cuddle and Croon by Kathy Reid-Naiman
Manipulatives
- 12 Super-Safe Mirrors from Lakeshore Learning
- 1 baby Buzz’r sea turtle
- 2 Winkel activity toys by Manhattan Toy
- 2 Bright Starts Oball Rattles
Tools
- 1 WinBridge Voice Amplifier WB001
Resources
General
- Web junction offers a free storytime training: https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/supercharged-storytimes.html
- Literacy asides can be found on Saroj Ghoting’s website: https://www.uhls.org/workshop_handouts/All_About_the_Children/What_Can_I_Say.pdf
- Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child has great information on development: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return
Books
Finding books that represent everyone:
- https://www.colorincolorado.org/books-authors
- https://diversebookfinder.org/
- How to select picture books: https://www.clel.org/early-literacy/storytime/selecting-picture-books/
Songs and Rhymes
- Jbrary Baby Storytime Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcw3Y8sV0xptiwjCuPS-UxXaR_7Vel8y5
- Book Cart Queens: https://bookcartqueens.com/2024/03/16/diversify-your-storytime-music-2024-updated-list/
- Storytime Solidarity: https://storytimesolidarity.com/songs/
- Songs and CDs geared toward children with mobility challenges: https://catalog.btpl.org/search~S2?/casc+cd/casc+cd/1%2C41%2C45%2CE/2browse/indexsort=-#anchor_14
- StoryBlocks is another excellent resource for rhymes and songs: http://www.storyblocks.org/
Inclusion and Accessibility
- Making storytime accessible to English Language Learners: http://readysetkindergarten.pbworks.com/w/page/117743865/Beyond%20Bilingual
- Sensory Storytime Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbKErinKWyw&list=PLNJi5fqw2BNnRsVuUNnSfl8T5tL8C7MR-&index=7
- Tech for Tykes: assistive technology loan program: https://www.ucdenver.edu/centers/center-for-inclusive-design-and-engineering/community-engagement/tech-for-tykes—early-intervention-colorado
- Resources from the Center of Inclusive design and Engineering at CU: https://www.ucdenver.edu/centers/center-for-inclusive-design-and-engineering/community-engagement/new-project-include/resources
