I’m excited to share a new book with you!   A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by Minnesota author and illustrator, Debra Frasier, is not only a fun read BUT also provides a great family Fair activity.  Grab an alphabet list/game card from Debra’s State Fair stand (or online at Debra’s site) for a guide.  Then as you trek through the Fair, look for food, stands, items, rides, etc. that start with each letter of the alphabet.  What a fun game! AND it’s practicing “Letter Knowledge” which is a building block for literacy.  Check out www.debrafrasier.com for more information.  Most importantly,  don’t forget to find Debra’s booth to say “hi!”

Hello Babytimers!

Fall Babytime classes are now posted!  Check out dates and times by clicking on the “Classes/Events” line on the right under “Pages.” Space is limited to 13 babies, so email me (Sara) if you are interested.

Remember FREE Babytime happens every Tuesday and the 1st Saturday of the month (except September) at the Red Balloon Bookshop.

Schedule your Fall Booktime Birthday Parties as well.  I am only doing 3 parties a month so schedule sooner than later.

Looking forward to our “Booktime Fun” soon!

Sara

Wow!  What a great looking group today at Red Balloon!  Thanks to everyone who showed up for “Water” stories, rhymes and songs.  If you’d like to join us, come to Red Balloon any/every Tuesday at 10:30am (or 1st Saturday of the month at 10:30).  I’d love to see you!

Here’s a fun rhyme from today’s Babytime.

Rubadubadub 1 2 3
Bouncing bouncing on my knee
(bounce on lap)
Rubadubadub 1 2 3
Bouncing bouncing weeeeeee
(bounce on lap and tip off)
Rubadubadub 1 2 3
I love you and you love me
(bounce and hug)
by Patrick Waters 2006

I will not be at Red Balloon next Tuesday, August 10 or at All 12 Notes next Wednesday August 11.  Babytime will still be held at both places with other leaders.  I’ll look forward to seeing everyone the following week.    Sara

Here are two great rhymes I shared during last week’s Babytime.   Have fun using them!

Seesaw Sacradown
This is the the way to London town
One foot up and one foot down
That is the way to London town

This rhyme is fun to use with brand new babies when you’re looking down into their eyes while holding them in you lap.  Move their legs gently to the rhythm of this rhyme.  You can also use this rhyme with older children.  Place your sitting child face-out on your lap and move their legs as you say the fhyme.

Here’s rhyme #2 — an bouncing/action rhyme

Seesaw up and down
Baby’s going to baby’s town
(bounce gently up and down)
Seesaw side to side
Baby’s going for a ride
(bounce gently side to side)
Seesaw bumpity bump
Baby’s getting ready to jump!
(bounce and then lift in air)

Here’s a photo from last week.  Looking forward to another fun Tuesday tomorrow!  Sara

Hello Babytimers!

It’s been wonderful to see so many faces at “Red Balloon” and “All 12 Notes” this summer.   Boy are we having a blast!  Please join me as I continue sharing through the summer.

Here’s a fun rhyme from last week’s “Zoo” themed Babytime.

Round the world, round the world

Catch a big bear

Where you gonna catch him?

Right under there!

Use your pointer finger to make a circle in the air as you say this rhyme to your baby.  Make the circle smaller and smaller and then tickle at the end!  Your baby will begin to follow your finger with their eyes to get ready for the final tickle.  Using this rhyme in the grocery line, on the changing table, during a “back-arching carseat” episode, or in line at a restaurant may just be the tool you need to get through a tricky situation.

Best wishes and have fun!

Sara

Hi friends!

I hope to see you at “Red Balloon” tomorrow (6.15) at 10:30 or at “All 12 Notes” on Wednesday (6.16) at 10.  The more the merrier!

Also take a look at my latest book review.  Child’s Play board books (illustrated by Kubler) are so much fun to share!

Sara

This series includes: “I’m a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow”, “Ten Little Fingers”, “Ring Around the Rosie”, “Wee Willie Winkie”, “This Little Piggy”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, “Hey Diddle Diddle”, “Head,Shoulders, Knees and Toes, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” (Illustrated by Annie Kubler)

I love the publisher “Child’s Play” because you can read and/or sing most of their books.  In Babytime, I routinely mention that music is a marvelous parenting tool.  Music is mood changing — it can excite, it can soothe.  Grab your baby’s attention with a new sound or type of music.  Try jingling keys, a harmonica, jazz music, or percussion pieces.  Bring out that instrument you played in junior high or that recording of grandma singing a lullaby.

A melody breaks apart our words into pieces that a baby’s ear can hear.  This skill is one of the “Six Early Literacy Skills” — Phonological Awareness.  I encourage you to try sing-reading a book to your baby.   Don’t tell me, “I have a poor singing voice,” because your baby won’t care.  Just place your baby in your lap, hug them close and sing them a story!

Hello friends!

I’m excited to announce that Babytime will be coming to “All 12 Notes” in Highland Park, St. Paul.  I will be sharing on Wednesdays, June 16-August 11 at 10:00 a.m.  Click on “Classes/Events” (on the right, under the “Pages” heading) for all the details.  I’d love to see you there!

The simple text of this book and the high contrasting colors make it perfect for babies and toddlers. Join in the fun by acting out the book with your little one — eating, singing, tickling, and kissing.   Read this book and share the love!

Hi friends,

A rainy day is a great day to read a good book with your little one. Today I shared with a smiley crowd of babies at the Red Balloon Bookshop. Our highlighted book was I Kissed the Baby by Mary Murphy. Click on my “Book Review” tab for a review. I’d love to hear how you’ve used this book!

I invite you to check out Babytimefun on Facebook.  Find lots of pictures, book reviews and rhyme suggestions.  Let’s bring our Babytime community together and share even more of our successful experiences!

Smiles, Sara