Right before I left for maternity leave, I did a “babies”-themed storytime and it was super cute and perfectly timed! I went into labor four days later!
Books
Babies on the Go by Linda Ashman
Baby Party by Rebecca O’Connell
A Band of Babies by Carole Gerber
Where, Oh Where is Baby Bear? By Ashley Wolff
Baby Parade by Rebecca O’Connell
Babies Around the World by Puck
Hello, Baby Animals by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
Activities
“One Little Baby”
A sweet fingerplay about babies!
“One Little Baby”
One little baby rocking in a tree (hold up on finger/rock arms)
Two little babies splashing in the sea (two fingers/pretend to splash)
Three little babies crawling on the floor (three fingers/crawl fingers on knee)
Four little babies banging on the door (four fingers/pretend to knock)
Five little babies playing hide and seek (five fingers/cover your eyes)
Keep your eyes closed now…until I say…PEEK! (uncover eyes)
“Baby’s Fingers”
This is a cute activity for both baby and toddler storytime. If you are parent, it’s a fun way to play with your little one, too!!
“Baby’s Fingers”
These are baby’s fingers
These are baby’s toes
This is baby’s belly button
Round and round it goes! (tickle)
“Where is Baby Bear? “
Animal babies count, too! Bring out your puppets (or flannels) and sing a little animal version of “Where is Thumbkin?” I love hiding puppets and “searching” for them with my tots. They love pointing and to see me look surprised when we “find” them!!
“Where is baby bear?”
Where is baby bear? Where is baby bear?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, bear?
Very well, I thank you.
Growl, growl, growl.
Where is piglet? Where is piglet?
Where is puppy? Where is puppy?
Where is little chick? Where is little chick?
Where is lion cub? Where is lion cub?
Conclusion
This storytime probably meant more to me than to my tots. It was my last storytime before I left for eight weeks. After all those “Is there a baby in your belly?” questions, I wanted to leave with a big baby hurrah!