Saturday, July 28, 2012

Child development Friday: Zero to Three



For those of you who can't get enough reading about child development, this website is for you: zerotothree.org! Below I have noted a couple of exceptional resources: Getting Ready for School Begins at Birth and Child Development: Early Language Literacy. On the second resource, you may want to scroll down to the last page to see what you can expect in book behavior from your infant/toddler and at what age.

http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/social-emotional-development/gettingreadyforschoolbeginsatbirth.pdf

http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-language-literacy/earlyliteracy2pagehandout.pdf

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Baby's Body Moves




Sometime I’m Tall
(Traditional)
Sometimes I’m tall (Stand full height)
Sometimes I’m small (Bend down close to the floor)
Sometimes I’m very, very tall (Stretch on tiptoes)
Sometimes I’m very, very small (Bend close to the floor)
Sometimes tall, sometimes small, (Stretch high, bend low)
And sometimes I’m just me. (Stand normally)


Mommy's Knee
Bumping up and down on Mommy’s knee (bounce baby on your lap)
Bumping up and down on Mommy’s knee
Bumping up and down on Mommy’s knee
Won’t you be my darling?
Whoops we’re going from side to side (repeat 3x; rock from side to side)
Won’t you be my darling?
Ooops little baby don’t fall off (repeat 3x; hold child under arms and “drop” her between your knees)
Won’t you be my darling?

Open Them, Shut Them
Open then, shut them, open them, shut them
Give your hands a clap, clap clap
Open then, shut them, open them, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them, creep them, crawl them
Right up to your nose, nose, nose
Creep them, crawl them, creep them, crawl them
Right down to your toes, toes, toes.
Open then, shut them, open them, shut them
Give your hands a clap, clap clap
Open then, shut them, open them, shut them
Lay them in your lap, lap, lap.

Wave High, Wave Low
Wave high, wave low.
I think it's time, we gotta go.
Wave your elbows, wave your toes.
Wave your tongue, and wave your nose.
Wave your knees, wave your lips.
Blow a kiss with fingertips.
Wave your ears, wave your hair.
Wave your belly in the air.
Wave your chin, wave your eye,
Wave your hand and say good-bye.

Reach
Reach for the ceiling (reach and stretch),
touch the floor, stand up again, let's do some more.
Touch your head, then your knee, up to your shoulders, like this you see.
Reach for the ceiling, touch the floor. That's all for now, there isn't any more (shake head).

Wake Up Toes
Wake up toes, wake up toes,
Wake up toes and wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Wake up toes, wake up toes, Wake and wiggle in the morning.

Snuggle Up
Snuggle up together, baby's in your lap; snuggle up together and clap, clap, clap
(clap baby's hands together).
Snuggle up together, don't you nap!
Snuggle up together and tap, tap, tap (tap baby's feet together).
You're working out together, baby don't stop!
You're working out together, now hop, hop, hop (pick up baby and "hop" baby up and down)

Go in And Out the Window
Version for babies:
(in groups, sit holding child on lap, facing away from you so baby can see all the other children!)
Go in and out the window, (reach their arms forward on "in")
Go in and out the window, (raise their arms straight up on "out")
Go in and out the window,
As we have done before. (bounce child)
Let's clap our hands together...
We'll tickle, tickle, tickle...
And now we'll wave bye-bye...
more actions to try: go from side to side (lean), stamp feet, fly up in the sky (lift child)

Arms Up
To the tune of London Bridge
Make your arms go up and down
Up and down, up and down.
Make your arms go up and down
Just like me.

Repeat with
make your hands go clap clap clap…
make your feet go stomp stomp stomp…
move your body round and round…
move your body up and down…

My Hands Wave Hello
Tune: Farmer in the Dell
My hands wave hello,
My hands wave hello,
Every time I see my friends
My hands wave hello!

My face makes a smile,
My face makes a smile,
Every time I see my friends
My face makes a smile!

My fingers blow a kiss,
My fingers blow a kiss,
Every time I see my friends
My fingers blow a kiss!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Child Development Friday: Intro to Montessori

Though you may or may not have heard of Montessori, no one could argue that the early childhood years are the time of the "Absorbent Mind".  More brain growth occurs during these 24 months than during any other period. ()

The Montessori approach (and Parents As Teachers)... often use the simplest, least expensive activities to provide the greatest benefit and enjoyment.

 This is one of the best sights on the web for ideas on simple, developmentally appropriate activities for your toddler. Don't stop with the article at the top. Scroll down the page to get to all the wonderful suggestions.
At Home Twist on Montessori

 The following link gives some nice pics and good suggestions for what they are calling a Montessori Open and Close Tray.  At Parents As Teachers we did a similar activity which used items found around the house to inspire curiosity and promote fine motor development. 
http://carrotsareorange.com/montessori-in-the-home-open-and-close-tray/

Montessori Infant Education in the Home

How Can Montessori Fit Into Your Family? From Living Montessori Now

A Day at Book Nibblers and FAQ

Music, rhymes, and songs...

Stories.....
Lots of movement and action....

Book Nibblers Storytime FAQs

What is Book Nibblers Storytime?
Book Nibblers Storytime is a program best suited for children ages birth-3, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Book Nibblers is every Tuesday morning at 9:45 to 10:15 and the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. This year, we are taking a break for the month of August and will resume in September.
Storytimes are filled with books, rhymes, fingerplays, flannel boards, songs and crafts.  They are a special time for parents/caregivers and children to spend together; children are encouraged to sit with their parents.

What should I do if my child is not paying attention and/or not participating?
We expect a certain amount of chaos during storytime!  It’s OK if your child doesn’t want to participate in one of the activities – they may want to explore their environment.  Sometimes
children just like to watch what’s going on.  However, if they see you participating, they eventually will too.  We consistently see children who don’t participate the first few times become active participants as they continue to come to storytime, adjust to the environment and routine, and watch other children.

What should I do if my child becomes upset?
If a child becomes fussy or begins to cry, please step outside the storytime room until he/she has calmed down. We hope he/she will come back in soon! :)

Can I get a copy of the words to songs?
Can’t remember the words to a song or the name of a book from Storytime?  Look it up here:
www.booknibblers.blogspot.com

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Baby's Day Theme for Book Nibblers


                                                             E-book


E-book














A-B-C-D 

A is for alligator, chop, chop, chop!
B is for bouncing, hop, hop, hop!
C is for circle, round and round.
D is for dizzy, all sit down!

You Have Two Arms

(to the tune of “you are my sunshine)
You have two arms, they are for waving
You have two feet to go stump stump
You have to eyes, they are for blinking
And a bottom to sit with a bump

Where is Baby?
Where is baby? Where is baby?
There (s)he is! There (s)he is!
I’m so glad to see you, I’m so glad to see you
Peek-a-boo! Peek-a-boo!


Pease Porridge
Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold
Pease porridge in the pot, 9 days old
Some like it hot, some like it cold
Some like it in the pot, 9 days old

Little Bee
The little bee went flying,
To see what he could see.
And all that he could see
Was a little TUMMY!
Move your hands about baby’s head as if it were a little insect. When you get to “TUMMY!” tickle baby.

This is Big
This is big big big (Hold arms out to side)
This is small small small (Cup hands together)
This is short short short (Hold hands with palms facing each other)
This is tall tall tall (Reach one hand above head)
This is fast fast fast (Circle fists quickly)
This is slow slow slow (Circle fists slowly)
This is yes yes yes (Nod)
This is no no no (Shake head)


The Little Mice
The little mice go creeping, creeping, creeping
The little mice go creeping all through the house

The big black cat goes stalking, stalking, stalking
The big black cat goes stalking all through the house

The little mice go scampering, scampering, scampering
The little mice go scampering all through the house

When the mice go creeping, have your fingers walk slowly on the baby, when the cat goes stalking, slide your hands up and down the baby’s body, when the mice go scampering, have your fingers run quickly all over the baby.


Watch Me Pop!
I'm a piece of popcorn (gently bounce baby on lap)
Put me in the pot (continue to bounce)
Shake me, shake me (gently wiggle baby back and forth)
And watch me POP! (lift baby up into air)

All rhymes and songs today are from librarynoise.com

Monday, July 16, 2012

One Activity for All Your Kiddos


 For those of you who have attended one of my evening events, you know I often give information about how an activity can be modified for different age levels.  This site does a wonderful job of using the same concept to give suggestions for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and bigger kids.  I love it!

http://childhood101.com/2012/06/one-activity-four-ways-mirrors/

While on the site, don't miss the post on inspiring a love of reading.

http://childhood101.com/2010/11/10-ways-to-motivate-your-child-to-love-reading/ 

She also has 52 ideas to promote early literacy (one to try each week of the year).  This is a must-read!

http://childhood101.com/2011/12/popular-posts-of-2011-top-literacy-spots/

50 Literacy Activities for Babies

This site gives a great list of activities to do with your infant that promote literacy.  The opening paragraph before the list resonated with me and I hope it does with you, too.
At birth, an infant's brain is still developing and the experiences that we provide determine how the brain is developed. Literacy activities for infants involve more than just reading. Almost every activity that you do with infants can be considered a literacy activity. Each new activity and experience encourages brain connections that children will potentially use throughout their lifetime.
 http://earlyliteracycounts.blogspot.com/2010/08/50-literacy-activities-for-babies.html

As I posted about last week, I strongly believe in the importance of sensory play.  You know how babies and toddlers LOVE touch and feel books.  This link is for fabulous do it yourself board books using common items and hot glue.  If anyone tries this, I'd love to hear how they turn out!  Or send me your pictures of the final products and I will post them on the blog as time and space permits.

http://www.teachpreschool.org/2012/07/diy-toddler-board-books/

Friday, July 13, 2012

Cooking with Kids - Child Development Friday



Some of you may have participated in the Kids Can Cook event July 12 at the Maryville Public Library.  Kitchen time for kids is rich with learning experiences and cooking with kids was one of my favorite plans from my Parents As Teachers days!  This link gives a list of age-appropriate jobs in the kitchen as well as information about what your child gains from cooking with you. Fantastic!

http://stayathomeeducator.com/cooking-with-kids-and-what-they-gain-from-it/

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Kindle for PC at Story Hour

For the first time we used books downloaded from Amazon through a Kindle app to the PC.  We then projected them on the wall.  These are the books that we read today:



Although these books are not free downloads now, they are available for purchase and were once free downloads brought to me by notwiddletwaddle.com.  Don't miss the amazing free books that this site rounds up every day!

The Maryville Public Library has also joined a consortium to bring e-books available for check out to our patrons.  For more information, please talk to staff or see our website at www.maryvillepubliclibrary.lib.mo.us/

Friday, July 6, 2012

Child Development Friday



Raising a reader has to do with so much more than books.  Each Friday I will be linking you with excellent resources on the web that contribute to whole child development.

One of my favorite areas of enhancement for child development is sensory play. Further, I think that parents are often stumped about safe, fun, nurturing, inexpensive things to do with the under 3 crowd.  This blog combined both these ideas and gives a wonderful list of sensory activities for this group.  CAUTION: I do not advocate giving balloons to small children. She addresses this in part, but I probably would have cut it from the list due to safety.

I would encourage you to explore this site as there are many fun activities.  Enjoy the day with your child!

www.makedoandfriend.com

For information on why sensory play is important and what your child is learning this information from PBS is a must-read.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/sensory-play/developing-and-cultivating-skills-through-sensory-play/

For setting boundaries on sensory play and for those who fear the mess, read this:
http://notjustcute.com/2008/09/19/setting-boundaries-with-sensory-play/

Cowboy Days

 


The Little Cowboy
Tune: "I’m a little teapot"
I’m a little cowboy. Here is my hat (point to self, then to hat)
Here are my spurs (point to your heels)
And here are my chaps (pat legs)
As soon as I get up, (stretch, pretend to wake up)
I work all day (pretend to lasso a cow)
I get on my horse (pretend to get on a horse)
And ride away. (Pretend to gallop on a horse)

Way Out West
Tune: "Old MacDonald"
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
with a stomp, stomp here and a stomp, stomp there.
Here a stomp, there a stomp, everywhere a
stomp, stomp.
Way out West are buffaloes. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!
with a bark, bark here and a bark, bark there.
Here a bark, there a bark, everywhere a
bark, bark.
Way out West are prairie dogs. Yippie-yippie-oh!

Here We Go!
Tune: "Go In And Out The Window"
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon,
A-rollin' down the trail!
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon,
A-bumpin' down the trail!
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon.
We're in a covered wagon,
A-rockin' down the trail!

This Little Pig Cowboy Style
This little pig went to the rodeo,
This little pig stayed home,
This little pig had barbecue,
This little pig had none,
This little pig said, "Yipee-yipee-yi"
All the way home.

Watch You Go
Deedle, deedle, dumpling
Ride to town
Sometimes up, sometimes down.
Deedle deedle dumpling
Watch you go
Sometimes fast
Sometimes slow

Let’s go Riding
Tune: Are you Sleeping
Let’s go riding, let’s go riding,
Saddle up. Saddle up.
Everybody ready? Everybody ready?
Giddyap! Giddyap!

Riding Song
Tune: She’ll Be Comin Round the Mountain
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song Yah-hoo!
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song. Ya-hoo!
When a cowpoke goes a ridin’,
When a cowpoke goes a ridin’
Oh, a cowpoke sings a riding song. Yah-hoo!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

All of Me


One Hand, Two Hands
One hand can wave (wave)
One hand can tap (tap leg)
But they each need a friend
If they want to clap (clap hands)
 
The Grand Old Duke
Oh the grand old duke of York
He had 10 thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again.
And when they’re up, they’re up
And when they’re down they’re down.
And when they’re only halfway up, they’re neither up nor down.
 
Two Little Feet
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap
Two little feet go jump, jump, jump.
Two little hands go thump, thump, thump.
One little baby turns round and round.
One little child sits quietly down.
Clap Your Hands
Clap, clap, clap your hands
As slowly as you can.
Clap, clap, clap your hands
as quickly as you can
Other verses:
Roll your hands...
Shake your hands ...
Pound your fists ...
 
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes.
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head shoulders knees and toes
Knees and toes
 
Hokey Pokey
You put your hand in
You take your hand out
You put your hand in and you shake it all about
You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.
Wave With One Hand
Tune: Skip to my Lou
Wave with one hand, wave with the other,
Wave with one hand, wave with the other,
Wave with one hand, wave with the other,
Wave with both hands now.
Stand on one foot, stand on the other…
Stretch with one arm, stretch with the other…
Touch one elbow, touch the other….