Storytime Programs - Summer 2016, Week One

School is out and summer is finally here!  We are so excited to begin our storytimes this week.  In addition to our weekly storytimes, there are numerous special events happening so be sure to check our Events Calendar http://gailbweb.gailborden.info/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp, give us a call, or stop by the desk in the Early Learning Center if you would like more information.  We hope that you'll be joining us and continue to make a visit to the library part of  your summer routine.   Below you will find some of the books, rhymes, and fingerplays we are presenting this week.

Tiny Tales  (For babies 0-23 months and an adult caregiver)

Books
Countdown! With Milo by Austin
Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! by Mayo

Action Rhyme: I'm a Little Rocket (Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little rocket pointing at the moon (raise arms above head)
Now I'm getting fueled up (wiggle hips)
We'll be ready soon (straight up straight and tall)
When it's time to board me, then I'll say (slowly bend knees and crouch with arms above head)
Blast off!  Zoom!  We're on our way. (jump up and shout!)

After we read stories and sang rhymes about flying into space, the parents and babies listened, bounced and counted along to Zoom, Zoom, Zoom on the Oh Baby!  CD.  If you'd like to watch a YouTube version of this song, click on the following video.

Babies love singing and dancing with you!  Did you know that singing exposes your baby to rhythm, language, and communication?  By adding dancing to the mix, you are incorporating balance and coordination too.  Learning is so much fun!    

Starry Time Stories (For children 2 years -Kindergarten with adult caregiver)

Books
The Wind Blew by Hutchins

Mother, Mother, I Want Another by Robbins (presented as a puppet story)

Rhyme: Climb Aboard The Spaceship (Tune: Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Climb aboard the spaceship
We're going to the moon
Hurry and get ready
We're going to blast off soon
Put on your helmets
And buckle up real tight
Here comes the countdown
Let's count with all our might
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1...BLAST OFF!

Our audience sang and danced along to Laura Doherty's Rocket Ship on Shining Like a Star CD. Click on the following image if you'd like to listen to this fun song again.

The preschoolers enjoyed the repetition in this song and the anticipation of "Blast Off"!  Repetition is a powerful way to master a skill, whether it be counting down numbers in this song or by doing another activity.  As often as possible, ask your child to sort socks by color when you do laundry, write the letters in his name, button up his own clothing, etc.  Repeat, repeat, repeat!