I'll share my revelation about toddlers again on this post: Toddlers are not small preschoolers; they are big babies! (I want this slogan on a t-shirt). I have recently realized that toddlers, at my library defined as age 16-36 months, have much more in common with babies than they do with preschoolers. Toddlers are babies who can run away.
For this reason, in 2018 I am working on making Baby Lapsit and Toddler Time more similar to each other. I am using the same three hello songs in Baby Lapsit as I am for the toddlers, with some changes to the parent tips to acknowledge that the infants aren't quite as physically developed as the toddlers.
Click here to see my 2018 Toddler Time hello and goodbye.
In Baby Lapsit, we now begin with an a cappella greeting song instead of one with recorded music. I changed it because I feel the baby and toddler age groups benefits the most from chanting and singing without musical accompaniment. Even though the kids may not be verbal yet, this makes it easier for their grownups to sing the songs to them at home.
Hello: "This Is the Way We Wave Hello"
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap hello,
Clap hello, clap hello.
This is the way we clap hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp hello,
Stamp hello, stamp hello.
This is the way we stamp hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave hello,
Wave hello, wave hello.
This is the way we wave hello,
Hello, hello, hello!
This video shows the melody we sing to, but it uses different lyrics.
The other two hello songs are the same as 2017. They are good for baby, toddler, and preschool audiences.
Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.
Stretch: "Tall/Small"
This is a short, easy stretch the preschoolers get a kick out of. While we're stretching, I like to encourage them to reach for the ceiling, touch their toes, then make themselves into a tiny ball.
Click here to listen to the version I use
Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.
Stretch: "Tall/Small"
This is a short, easy stretch the preschoolers get a kick out of. While we're stretching, I like to encourage them to reach for the ceiling, touch their toes, then make themselves into a tiny ball.
Click here to listen to the version I use
My parent tip: I make sure to emphasize that grownups and babies should stretch at whatever level they are currently operating on. The grownup can keep the baby on their lap and help them stretch their arms up. The grownup can stand themselves and hold they baby while they stretch. The grownup can balance the baby while the baby stands on the floor, and help them stretch there. Wherever both are most physically comfortable is where I encourage them to try this gentle stretch.
This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...
Goodbye: "This Is the Way We Wave Goodbye"
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
(Typed it twice to make a point.)
I like to use "One, Two Hands" and "Peek-a-Boo" as an unofficial signal that the end of Baby Lapsit is coming. Added bonus, it's never too early to start naming body parts with this Laurie Berkner classic or figuring out object permanence by playing peekaboo.
The version of "Peek-a-Boo" I use.
Our goodbye song for Baby Lapsit and Toddler Time is now also a cappella, and a repeat of our new hello song. We just substitute "hello" for "goodbye." Doing this song twice per storytime gets the melody and movements in the kids' heads that much quicker. If they're not scream-singing "This is the way we blankety-blank" about everything they do for the rest of the week, I haven't done my job.
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Clap goodbye, clap goodbye.
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Stamp goodbye, stamp goodbye.
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave hello,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
Bubbles! "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles" and the Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! The best part is when a baby sees bubbles for the first time. It blows their mind and they make the best face.
This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...
Goodbye: "This Is the Way We Wave Goodbye"
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
Know what's great for tiny, developing brains? Repetition.
(Typed it twice to make a point.)
I like to use "One, Two Hands" and "Peek-a-Boo" as an unofficial signal that the end of Baby Lapsit is coming. Added bonus, it's never too early to start naming body parts with this Laurie Berkner classic or figuring out object permanence by playing peekaboo.
The version of "Peek-a-Boo" I use.
Our goodbye song for Baby Lapsit and Toddler Time is now also a cappella, and a repeat of our new hello song. We just substitute "hello" for "goodbye." Doing this song twice per storytime gets the melody and movements in the kids' heads that much quicker. If they're not scream-singing "This is the way we blankety-blank" about everything they do for the rest of the week, I haven't done my job.
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Clap hands to the beat)
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Clap goodbye, clap goodbye.
This is the way we clap goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Stamp feet to the beat)
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Stamp goodbye, stamp goodbye.
This is the way we stamp goodbye,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
(Wave both hands)
This is the way we wave goodbye,
Wave goodbye, wave goodbye.
This is the way we wave hello,
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!
Bubbles! "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles" and the Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! The best part is when a baby sees bubbles for the first time. It blows their mind and they make the best face.
I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next week. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles
Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
Community Play Time
Baby Lapsit is unique in that the families are encouraged to stay for 15-20 minutes after storytime for a special playtime. I bring out a bin of toys and play some quiet background music, and it's just a fun, unstructured play session where babies can socialize with other little beings close to their age, and caregivers can also chat with each other and make connections. I've seen many friendships and even play groups or preschool co-ops get started this way!
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles
Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song
Community Play Time
Baby Lapsit is unique in that the families are encouraged to stay for 15-20 minutes after storytime for a special playtime. I bring out a bin of toys and play some quiet background music, and it's just a fun, unstructured play session where babies can socialize with other little beings close to their age, and caregivers can also chat with each other and make connections. I've seen many friendships and even play groups or preschool co-ops get started this way!
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