Conducting Infant and Toddler Programs

Outline for "Lap Babies" and "Cruisers & Walkers" Programs
Developed by Mary Frasier, Children's Librarian
Monroe County Public Library

Preparation

choose theme
collect appropriate learning materials - (toys)
choose tape for entry and activity time
nametags - baby and mother
prepare and copy handouts

Procedures

sort nametags in caregiver/child sets, or put both names on one tag
arrange activity centers and put up high or conceal until you want to use them
place introductory activities (books, put and take balls) in center of rug
turn on the music
lower the lights
open the room
help sets get situated / turn off tape
circle time (librarian and parents sing) 10 - 20 minutes depending on attention span of group
activity time (with quiet music) 20 - 40 minutes

Circle time menu

Introduce song (any simple, short song with a name in the lyrics. I substitute the name of each baby in the circle for that original name. Eg. "I Roll the Ball to Daddy," "Johnny Pounds with One Hammer," "Mary Wore Her Red Dress," "No One's in the House with Dinah")

Choose one or two from each of the following:

Bouncing Games like "Humpty Dumpty," "Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross," "Mother and Father and Uncle John"
Tickling Games like "Round and Round the Garden," "Itsy, Bitsy Spider" (I adapt traditional fingerplays by acting them out as tickling games on a baby's tummy or back.)
Clapping Games like "Patty Cake," "Clap, Clap, Clap your hands," "If You're Happy and You Know It"
Foot Tapping Games like "Hob, Shoe, Hob," "There's a Cobbler"
Leg Wagging Games like "Leg Over Leg as the Dog Goes to Dover," "I Had a Little Mule"
Toe and Finger Counting Games like "This Little Piggy," and "Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum"

Tips and Suggestions for a Happy Baby Program

Never make a baby cry. Be flexible. Let your parents know that they do not have to follow your instructions to the letter. They should always feel comfortable adapting the movements and positions of an activity to suit their baby.

Dim the lights if possible. The babies in your program are receiving a lot of novel stimulation. The music, the people, the bright toys, and the circle activities are all very exciting to an infant or toddler. One way to minimize the possibility of overstimulation (which causes screaming and crying) is to keep the lights low and the background music fairly quiet.

Consider handouts and displays carefully. I usually display several items from each material format that would be useful to parents of young children. This includes baby board books, audio cassettes, CDs, videotapes, learning materials (toys), and parenting books. I have found that the parenting books do not circulate well after the programs. Many parents seem to prefer a brief handout gleaned from a parenting resource. This is why I like The Well-Centered Child and Growing Child.

The Well-Centered Child is a nicely-done monthly newsletter with sections for Infants and Toddlers, Preschoolers and Kindergartners, and Grade-schoolers. Subscribers have permission to photocopy and distribute all or part of each issue. To subscribe: The Well-Centered Child, P.O. Box 428, Naperville, IL 60566-0428 or call 1-800-453-7148.

Growing Child is an informative newsletter which focuses on child development one month at a time. Individual subscribers receive each issue devoted to their child's developmental age just before their birth date each month. Libraries may receive all the issues, 0-72 months in a convenient binder. This is a great way to offer parents information in a concise format. To subscribe: Growing Child, 22 N. Second St., Lafayette, IN 47902 or call 1-800-388-2624.

Resources for Learning Materials and Toys

Childcraft Education Corp. 2920 Old Tree Drive, Lancaster, PA 17603 PH# 1-800-631-5652
Constructive Playthings 1227 E. 119th St., Grandview, MO 64030-11117 PH# 1-800-448-4115
Discovery Toys PH# 1-800-426-4777
Lakeshore Learning Materials 2695 Dominguez St., P.O. Box 6261, Carson, CA 90749 PH# 1-800-421-5354

By Mary Frasier, MCPL Children's Librarian (10/99)