Our New Baby Our new baby came to stay. She arrived just yesterday. She doesn't talk (she doesn't try). All she does is sleep and cry. Still my parents really love her- (can't seem to get enough of her). I wonder if they felt this way, when I was the baby who came to stay? *********************************************************************** Finger Play 5 little fingers on this hand (Hold up 5 fingers) 5 little fingers on that (Hold up 5 fingers on the other hand) A dear little nose (Point to nose) A mouth like a rose (Point to mouth) Two little cheeks so tiny and fat (Point to cheeks) Two eyes and two ears (Point to eyes and then ears) And ten little toes (Point to toes) That is the way the baby grows. *********************************************************************** Hush Little Baby - Song Hush little baby, don't say a word Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird. If that mocking bird won't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring If that diamond ring turns brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass. If that looking glass gets broke, Papa's gonna buy you a Billy goat If that Billy goat won't pull, Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull If that cart and bull turn over, Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover If that dog named Rover won't bark, Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart If that horse and cart fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town. *********************************************************************** Rock The Baby For a group "game" have the children take turns on a medium size blanket. The rest of the group kneel around the edge, and together, lift the "baby" up a few inches, so we could rock the "baby" and sing a lullaby. *********************************************************************** Baby Paintings Have children paint with Q-tips and pastel tempera on small pieces of paper. Frame their baby paintings on pastel construction paper, very pretty. *********************************************************************** Bathing Dolls Move the sensory table into the house corner and have the children bathe dolls in the water table with soap and wash cloths. You may add doll clothes, diapers, empty bottles of power, baby toys. Etc. *********************************************************************** Baby Scribble Remind the children that when babies color they scribble all over the paper. Do a project like a baby. They will scribble all over a white piece of paper and then paint over with a light wash of black paint. The children are fascinated to see how the paint does not stick to the color but only to the white paper. You do have to remind them, however, to color pretty hard when they are scribbling. But it makes a pretty picture when they are through. *********************************************************************** Rock A Bye Baby Rock a bye baby on the treetop (Make rocking motion with hands) WAAAAAA (sort of loud baby cry) What's wrong with the baby? The baby's hungry, Let's feed the baby (make bottle movements to feed baby) There, we fed the baby Rock a bye baby on the treetop WAAAAAA What's wrong with the baby? We fed the baby, Uh, Oh We forgot to burp the baby (make burp motion, putting baby on shoulder) Okay, we burped the baby Rock a bye baby WAAAA What's wrong with the baby? Uh, Oh, baby smells Let's change the baby (use motions for changing diapers) Now, let's see Rock a bye baby - finish the song in a very soft voice *********************************************************************** Putting Baby To Bed On white paper, have kids glue a cut out picture (from magazine) of a baby to paper. Older kids may wish to draw their baby. Then give kids small pieces of felt or fabric to glue over baby as a blanket. You can also glue a picture of a teddy bear or other stuffed animal for baby to sleep with. Now baby is already for bed! *********************************************************************** Circle Time Discussion Ask open ended questions to children about babies, such as: * How do babies get around? * What kinds of foods should babies eat? * How do babies tell us what they want or need? * What kinds of toys are good for babies? What kinds are not? * What do you remember from when you were a baby? * Any kids with babies in their house can talk about them. *********************************************************************** More Circle Time Ideas Show the kids different baby items (pacifier, bottle, diaper, formula, newborn clothes, baby wipes, baby food jar etc.). Ask children what the object is and why it is needed. *********************************************************************** Baby Songs/Rhymes 1. This Little Piggy 2. Rock A bye Baby 3. Pat A Cake 4. So Big *********************************************************************** Baby Picture Guessing Game Have parents bring a photo of their child when he/she was a baby (without child knowing). Mix them all up and see if each child can pick out their own pictures. Have kids discuss what they remember about being babies. Let them crawl around. Perhaps they could even eat a jar of applesauce baby food (with a little cinnamon added, of course!). *********************************************************************** Poem For Baby Little fingers, Little toes, Little mouth, Little nose. Little ears, With which to hear. Little baby, So precious and dear. *********************************************************************** Little Baby Here is a baby so soft and small His legs can't walk, so he must crawl He drinks from a bottle and naps in a crib He dribbles his food, so he wears a bib When his pants are wet, he starts to cry His mom will change them, so he'll be dry *********************************************************************** Baby Powder Finger Paint Finger paint with pastel colored paint. Sprinkle the paint with baby powder to give it a different feel and smell. *********************************************************************** Five Little Babies Five little babies in the bed (hold up fingers & remove one each time) And the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." (roll hands) So they all rolled over and one fell out There were 4 in the bed And the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." Continue until there is one baby left. And the little one said, "Good Night!" *********************************************************************** Baby Food Tasting Party Try tasting several varieties of baby food. Talk about why the food is smooth and soft, and the purpose of teeth. *********************************************************************** What's In The Box Game In a feelie box, place items such as a baby brush, a bar of baby soap, a cotton ball, a pacifier, a rubber teether and a rattle, etc. Have the children take turns feeling an item in the box and guessing what it is by its feel. *********************************************************************** Baby Grows Five little fingers on this hand, Five little fingers on that, A dear little nose, A mouth like a rose, Two cheeks so tiny and fat. Two eyes and two ears And ten little toes, That is the way the baby grows. *********************************************************************** Baby's Toys Here's a ball for baby, big and soft and round. (Circle with thumb and index finger) Here is baby's hammer, oh, how he/she can pound! (Pound one fist on other) Here is baby's music---clapping, clapping so! (Clap hands) Here are baby's dollies, standing in a row. (Hold up ten fingers) Here is baby's trumpet----toot-too! (Imitate playing trumpet) Here's the way the baby plays peek-a-boo. (Cover face and open fingers to peek out) Here's a big umbrella to keep baby dry. (Hold hands up, forming umbrella) Here's the way baby goes a-lullaby. (Make rocking motion with hands) *********************************************************************** Five Little Babies Five little babies were playing together one day. One saw a ball, and so he crawled away. Four little babies were playing together one day. One saw a rattle, and she crawled away. Three little babies were playing together one day. One saw a kitty cat, and he crawled away. Two little babies were playing together one day. One saw a teddy bear, and she crawled away. One little baby was playing by himself one day. He cried and his mommy came and took him away. *********************************************************************** Yarn Dolls Materials: 1 ball of yarn 6" tall, heavy cardboard (the front of a cereal box works great!) Scissors Directions: Wrap yarn sideways around the card board piece. When it is fairly thick, remove the yarn from the cardboard. Tie a piece of yarn about one inch from each end, set aside. Wrap yarn length-wise around cardboard piece until fairly thick. Remove yarn from cardboard. Tie a piece of yarn in the middle of the bundle for a waist and around the top for a head. Suggestions: You can cut the foot ends for a "dress" or leave them looped for "feet." *********************************************************************** Here's A Ball For Baby Here's a ball for baby Big fat and round Here is baby's hammer See how it can pound Here are baby's soldiers Standing in a row Here is baby's music Clapping, clapping Here is baby's trumpet Tootle, tootle too Here's the way the baby Plays at peek-a-boo Actions: Line 1&2 Make a ball shape with hands Line 3&4 Bang fists together Line 5&6 Hold up both hands Line 7&8 Clap hands in rhythm Line 9&10 Blow through fists Line 11&12 Cover your face with hands, open them on "BOO" *********************************************************************** Pat-A-Cake Pat a cake; pat a cake (Clap hands to words.) Baker's man Bake me a cake as fast as you can (Clap faster.) Pat it and roll it (Roll hands around each other.) And mark it with a "B" (Clap hands to words.) And put it in the oven for baby and me *********************************************************************** Cradle Can also be a manger at Christmas Cut tube in half lengthwise; glue halves together back - to - back. The top half is the bed, the bottom the stand. Use a Kleenex for the blanket and a peanut shell for the baby. Draw eyes and mouth on the baby. Optional - Cover the tube with construction paper or wallpaper samples before gluing together, then decorate. *********************************************************************** Baby's Nap This is a baby ready for a nap. Lay her down in her mother's lap. Cover her up so she won't peep. Rock her 'til she's fast asleep. *********************************************************************** Music In Our Home Mother plays the violin. Daddy plays the flute. Big brother blows the horn, Toot-toot-toot-toot. Little sister keeps the beat By clanging on a pot. And I try to sing along Whether I know the words or not. *********************************************************************** Family In The Home - Song - Sung to The Farmer In The Dell Mommy in the home, Mommy in the home, Hi-ho the derry-o Mommy in the home. Additional Verses: Mommy takes the son . . . Son takes the dad . . . Daddy takes the daughter Daughter takes the sister Sister takes a grandma Grandma takes the cat. *********************************************************************** Baby Collage Provide scraps of assorted baby gift-wrap, pastel wallpaper and snips of pastel ribbon and yarn to glue on a construction paper background. *********************************************************************** Dramatic Play Prop Box 1. Baby dolls 2. Booties 3. Sun hats and bonnets 4. Doll bed 5. Doll high chair 6. Bibs 7. Bottles 8. Baby spoons 9. Diapers 10. Receiving blankets 11. Empty baby powder bottle (small) 12. Rocking chair 13. Stuffed animals 14. Rattles 15. Baby food jars 16. Diaper bag 17. Baby wipes *********************************************************************** Baby Ways His legs can't walk, so he must crawl He drinks from a bottle (place a baby bottle on the board) And naps in a crib (place a crib on the board). He dribbles his food, so he wears a bib (place bib on the board) When his pants are wet, he starts to cry (place a diaper on the board) His mom will change them, so he'll be dry. *********************************************************************** This Little Piggy This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. This little piggy cried wee, wee, wee, all the way home. *********************************************************************** Rock- A- Bye Baby Rock- A- Bye baby on the treetop. When the wind blows the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks the cradle will fall. And down will come baby cradle and all. *********************************************************************** Clothing Sort Provide clothing from adult, babies, and young children. Have the children sort the clothing into two or three different boxes. *********************************************************************** Baby Item Sorting Cut pictures from magazines both of items used when caring for an infant and those you would not use. Have the children sort the items into proper boxes. *********************************************************************** Baby Game Create 2 laminated grids of baby pictures Set out on a table with a die and two containers of small baby theme counters, usually found in party store. Have the children take turns rolling the die and placing the appropriate number of baby items for the babies on their grid. *********************************************************************** Baby Picture Comparison Ask the parents to send in a photo of the children as babies. Make a poster to encourage conversation and comparisons. Use photos taken of the children at school mounted next to their baby photos. Make a book for the library corner using pictures from magazine ads featuring babies crying, laughing, being serious, funny, shy, etc. *********************************************************************** Pat-A-Cake *********************************************************************** Flannel Board Rhyme Here is a baby so soft and small (place baby on the board) His legs can't walk, so he must crawl He drinks from a bottle (place a baby bottle on the board) And naps in a crib (place a crib on the board). He dribbles his food, so he wears a bib (place bib on the board) When his pants are wet, he starts to cry (place a diaper on the board) His mom will change them, so he'll be dry. *********************************************************************** Music Sing rock-a-bye baby while pushing children on the swings. *********************************************************************** Baby Obstacle Course Make an obstacle course and invite the children to crawl through it like babies. *********************************************************************** Baby Item Sort Provide tiny baby bottles and rattles for sorting (the kind ordinarily used for cake decorating). *********************************************************************** Block Area Set table blocks on a tray with small babies and baby furniture from a doll house set. *********************************************************************** Washing Babies Add a squirt of baby bath soap to the water in the water table and supply sponges, cut in half for scrubbing. To end the activity, hand out dry washcloths to wrap the babies in. *********************************************************************** Baby Bingo Game Make your own baby bingo game. Laminate all pieces for durability. *********************************************************************** Animal Babies Match baby animal pictures with pictures of their mothers.