Mother Goose for Babies
Storytimes for babies and toddlers offer an opportunity to model great read-aloud techniques for parents and gives them the confidence to read to their children every day. A baby-toddler storytime can be followed by an extra 20 to 30 minutes of playtime, which encourages parents to talk to each other and for the young children to learn to play with others. It also demonstrates the importance of play to parents.
Welcome song: “Hello Everybody, Yes Indeed”
Mother Goose rhyme: “Old Mother Goose”
Get ready song: “Open, Shut Them”
First book: Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker. This counting rhyme features lavish illustrations of the farmyard.
Fingerplay: “Where Is Thumbkin?”
Second book: Baa Baa Black Sheep by Iza Trapani. Based on the Mother Goose rhyme, this charming story features the sheep giving yarn to her friends.
Movement song: “London Bridge Is Falling Down”
Third book: Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker. In this extension of the rhyme, a little mouse interacts with various animals.
Song: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Extra book if needed: Three Little Kittens by Jerry Pinkney. Beautiful detailed watercolors illustrate this picture book version of the popular rhyme.
Board book for parents: Humpty Dumpty and Other Rhymes by Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells. In this small collection of common rhymes, Wells’ amusing animals in human clothing are the highlight of the artwork.
Closing song: “Hello and Goodbye”
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool