Pete the Cat

From the moment I heard Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons, I wanted to make my own flannel and read/sing it with the babies at my Baby Storytime. However, I just didn’t think it would work. I’m not sure how flying buttons would go over with children who are barely crawling or walking and love to put all things in the their months. So I put the idea on hold. Until last month.

I found Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. I’m not sure why it took me so long to find this book/song. With a little help from the staff in our Kidmobile department, I was able to create somewhat of a pattern by enlarging a photo from the Groovy Buttons book. (The kidmobile ladies put together an awesome, awesome version of Pete using craft foam, which was the inspiration for my version.)

Pete the Cat

I figured it would be easier to create a stand up Pete that could be used for multiple stories instead of several Petes. I mounted him on foamboard to make his sturdy and used some wire I found to make his whiskers. His shirt is attached with Velcro, and the center can be easily removed for the Groovy Buttons story. And he is glued to a paint stick, so I can sit on the carpet with the babies and tell his story without an actual flannel board.

Opening Song

One of my favorite programs to plan and do is Baby Storytime. I started doing it exactly one year ago this month, and I look forward to it each week. While I do enjoy YA books, there is something so exciting about picture books (especially getting to read the brand new ones!). Each week, my plan is to post a list of my outline. It works pretty well in small groups. This is also a great way for me to keep track of the songs and books that work or don’t work with the babies. Today I am going to write about opening and closing songs, and then next week, I will begin posting some of my favorite books and songs.

So last week, the first week in our new storytime cycle, the theme was winter. I choose a theme each week. I know there’s a great debate on holding a themed storytime, but A)it’s easier to find books and songs when I have a theme and B)it’s makes for easier transitions during the program.

I have used three different opening songs. They all worked in their own way.

The first one I used was “Gilly, Gilly Good Morning.” It was suggested to me by a friend. While I could never really find a good recorded version, I found a couple YouTube videos that helped with the tune. I only did the first verse, and I used shakers. You could go around and shake each babies hand lightly, I suppose. But they love shakers.
Gilly Gilly Good Morning
Gilly gilly gilly good morning, good morning, good morning
Gilly Gilly Gilly good morning, good morning to you.

In the summer, I changed the opening song to “Welcome, Welcome Everyone.” It is sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Welcome, Welcome Everyone
Welcome, welcome everyone.
Now you’re here let’s have some fun.
First we’ll clap our hands just so,
Then we’ll bend and touch our toes.
Welcome, welcome everyone.
Now you’re here let’s have some fun.

In the fall, I changed the opener to “Where is Baby?” sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques.” This is my favorite one, and I am using it again this winter. I like it because you can substitute the baby’s name for the word “baby,” which helps with name recognition. *Literacy tip moment!* Typically, the parent/caregiver will hold the baby up while we sing to them. The babies love it!
Where is Baby?
Where is baby? Where is baby?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today?
Very well, I thank you.
Please sit down. Please sit down.

I usually follow these songs with another repeated song each week that involves colored scarves or shakers. But that’s another post entirely, so stay tuned!

Follow the link…

Today, I was a guest-poster (that sounds funny!) on Bryce Don’t Play‘s awesome blog. I discussed how we implemented our own version of a program she did at her library. Here is my take:

http://brycedontplay.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-mission-guest-post-by-miss-julia-in.html