We're glad you're here. Sharing books is so important, as you are your child's first teacher. It is up to you to start your baby on the way to understanding words. There are many ways to do this - your baby is learning from you right now! When you talk, sing, listen, and read to your baby, you are teaching important skills.
What is Babytime?
It is a language enrichment program.
Babytime is a program designed to engage both baby and parents/caregivers.
Participation is key.
Although rhymes and songs may be introduced, the idea is for the caregiver to make these rhymes a regular part of baby's life. The value of the caregiver's participation and interaction is the main reason for repetition of simple rhymes & fingerplays.
Pre-Walkers is a program of lap sit rhymes. Most of these entail simply bouncing baby to the rhythm upon your knee.
The Walkers program is designed for the more advanced, "mobile" baby. This program also involves a great deal of parental/caregiver participation and repetition. This group encompasses a mix of songs, rhymes, circle games, books and even a puppet or two.
Our current program is a combination of both older & younger babies, ranging from 6-24 months.
These programs generally run for about 30 minutes.
Program Structure:
The first 10 minutes is considered the "waiting time."
As babies and caregivers arrive and settle in, an array of toys and/or manipulatives will be available to keep baby entertained, we will then put away these distractions and prepare for the second half of program.
1) The group will use weekly "calming rhyme" to settle babies after clean-up time.
2) After that, we will sing the "Hello Name Song"
3) Then move right into the rhymes, songs and fingerplays as outlined on the weekly session sheets.
(Basic rhymes will stay the same with a few variations. This will give everyone a chance to participate even if
they have to miss a week. After Board Book/ Simple Storybook time a new activity or rhyme will be introduced.)
4) The Program will conclude with the "Good-bye Song"
The link below has information on our current baby programs.
Click here for information on our baby programs!
Some of our favorite Babytime Books:
Board Books
Peek-a-WHO? by Nina Laden
What's Up, Duck? A Book of Opposites by Tad Hills
Global Babies / Bebes del mundo by The Global Fund for Children
Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney
Black & White by Tana Hoban
Bounce & Jiggle: Baby Gym by Child's Play
123 USA: A Cool Counting Book by Puck
Story / Activity / Big Books
Piggies by Audrey Wood
Cows in the Kitchen by June Crebbin
Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin Jr.
Barnyard Banter by Denise Fleming
Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle