Whether you’ve been presenting baby story times for fifteen years or fifteen minutes, you probably already know that the first five years of life are key for brain development and early literacy. Many public libraries have instituted baby and toddler programs, but finding exciting materials for baby story time that go beyond nursery rhymes can be a challenge. Baby Storytime Magic is a treasure trove of new and exciting ideas for programs, all of which revolve around themes from a baby’s world. Inside this resource you’ll findFinger plays, bounces, flannel boards, activities with props, songs, American Sign Language activities, and more, with items arranged by type of materialTips for planning story times, with advice on logistical issues such as age grouping, scheduling, formats, and physical setupGuidance on involving caregivers in baby story times, including suggested scripts for explaining the benefits of each activity and how to use it at homeAge-appropriate book recommendationsInformation on the stages of early childhood development, plus an appendix of recommended additional resourcesA thematic index to find the right story time quicklyLinks to full-sized, downloadable flannel board patterns, craft patterns, and worksheetsPacked with ready-to-use activities, reducing prep time substantially, this book is a valuable early literacy tool for every children’s librarian.
