Bubble Songs for Bath and Beyond!

Bubbles are a source of fascination for children!  When I was an Infant Room Teacher I routinely introduced the magic of Bubbles into our daily activities!  Bubbles are mesmerizing to babies. Here are few ways to incorporate bubbles into your life.

1. A perfect strategy for transitions. (Use bubbles as a visual sign that an activity is about to change.)

2. Bubbles can be incorporated into story time. 

3. Bubbles are perfect to encourage reaching on "all planes" (in a variety of directions). 

4. Entice young walkers to move toward bubbles caught on the bubble wand.

5. Help children with motor planning challenges.  You can strategically place bubbles where you want the child to crawl, turn, and move.  (May require a two person maneuver.  One person to place the bubbles and a second person to hold the child.)

6. Bubbles can be added to your music/movement and "circle time" activities.

7. Bubbles at home are fun in the bath tub and can be used with the "Bubble Song" I made up for my children. (I will share this with you today!)  Note:  I will also give you a variation of the "Bubble Song" that can be used in the classroom.

Book Recommendations

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bubble-Trouble-Margaret-Mahy/dp/0547074212/ref=sr_1_2_title_1_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396051088&sr=1-2&keywords=Bubbles

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/About-Bubbles-Lets-Read---Find-Out-Science/dp/0064452085/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396051244&sr=1-6&keywords=Bubbles

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bubble-bubble-mercer-mayer/1000312525?ean=9781577683483 

 

 

 

Check out this site for more Books about Bubbles!

 

http://www.lecciagroup.com/bubbles/bubble_books.htm

 

 

 

 The Bubble Song

 

Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic

Lyric variations by: MBVRodriguez

 

for guitar chords and basic composition:

http://www.guitarnick.com/battle-hymn-of-the-republic-guitar-tab.html

 

 

Bath Time Version

We have bubbles in the bathtub

We have bubbles in the tub

Bubbles in the bathtub

We have bubbles in the tub

Bubbles in the bathtub

We have bubbles in the tub

and we're gonna get clean

so scrub a dub a dub

 

Bubbles, Bubbles in the bathtub

Bubbles, Bubbles rub a dub a dub a dub

Bubbles, Bubbles in the bathtub

and we're gonna get clean tonight!

 

 

Classroom Version

 

We have bubbles in the classroom

We have bubbles in the air

Bubbles in the classroom

They are floating everywhere

Bubbles floating up and

 there are bubbles coming down

When there's bubbles in our classroom

There's no need to frown

 

Bubbles, Bubbles in the classroom

Bubbles, Bubbles ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-boom

Bubbles, Bubbles in the classroom

and we're going to blow some more!

 

 

 

Special Note

 

Future posts will include more specific activity ideas for using bubbles to encourage motor development.  (See #3,4,5 above) Disclaimer: We encourage you to check with your child's Developmental Pediatrician, Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapist if your child has a medical or developmental diagnosis prior to doing activities #3,4, and 5 so they can review positioning techniques.  For information regarding Early Childhood Intervention programs in your state, please refer to the following :

 

http://www.earlyinterventionsupport.com/early-intervention-contacts-state/

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

A Reading Success Story from A Teacher and Parent

I had the opportunity to work in a Child Development School with Ms. Trower a few years ago.  She teaches young children and realizes the benefits of reading from infancy.  I was impressed by her post on Face Book today and asked her permission to share it.  Ms. Trower has been reading to her daughter since infancy and provides a perfect example of how this has positively influenced early learning.  We hope you smile when you read about her daughter's special birthday request.  (This reminded me of my own children's gift requests...they always involve books and journals!)

Special Guest Report

 Shawnvette Trower

My daughter surprises me more and more each day. I asked her what is one thing that she really wants for her 6th birthday and her response was "I love learning, I want a book that tells me about the world because there's so much more that I need to know about the world." She told me to add in a notebook so she can take notes.

 

Mary Varville-Rodriguez May I share this on my blog site dedicated to early literacy and a love for books? This is so inspiring and exactly why reading is so important! :) 

 

Shawnvette Trower: Sure Mary Varville-Rodriguez that would be great

The following book was recommended by Shawnvette's friend on her face book page

 

  Michelle Wallace Gunn

    

 

TIME for Kids BIG Book of Why: 1,001 Facts Kids Want to Know http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603208429/ref=oh_details_o07_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Why do we have eyebrows? What's a black hole and what happens if you fall into one? What's the fastest a human is capable of running? Why do wet fingers stick to metal in the freezer? Where is the deepest point on Earth? Divided by subject area - humans, animals, environment/nature, technology...

 

Happy Reading

and

Journaling!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Books for Your Beautiful Baby Bump!

Reading can begin during pregnancy!  Last week we wrote about the benefits of starting to read to baby before birth!  The best part of this new routine is that you can give yourself a moment each day to put up your feet, relax, and begin your trip back in time as you remember your favorite books from childhood.  During my pregnancy I also enjoyed collecting and reading books that I learned to enjoy as an adult teacher.  I was blessed to have some amazing mentors as a young teacher of infants and toddlers.  It was their love for literature that helped me expand my repertoire of books and techniques for reading. 

What to look for when selecting books for your baby:

1. Beautiful Illustrations: You will be more likely to enjoy reading these if the art work is appealing. This is important because you will be looking at these pictures at least a bazillion times once baby is here.  Babies love to review information and have a high tolerance for repetition. Most adults do not.  Pregnancy is a perfect time to hone this skill!

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/big-momma-makes-the-world-helen-oxenbury/1005168725?ean=9780763626006

2. Simple Text:  Complex dialog is not necessary for newborns and very young infants.  Labeling items and actions is perfect for introducing language concepts. One object or idea per page is great!  A concept such as "Hug baby" or "See puppy" works well. 

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bright-baby-4-copy-slipcase-roger-priddy/1104980435?ean=9780312494476

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ten-little-fingers-and-ten-little-toes-lap-board-book-mem-fox/1100692338?ean=9780547581033

3. Just Pictures:  Some books leave the dialog to your imagination.  The pictures usually tell the story...but there is always plenty of room to add your own interpretations.  When baby gets older, he or she can participate in telling the story just by looking at the illustrations.  "Just pictures" offers variety and opens the door for many creative adventures.  Perfect for the story telling side of your personality.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cuddly-baby-board-book-fiona-watt/1101219086?ean=9780794510701

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleepy-baby-fiona-watt/1100756709?ean=9780794510718

  

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/busy-baby-fiona-watt/1007295335?ean=9780794510541

4. Props Included: Look for at least 1 or 2 books that add a special "prop" such as a puppet or another visual/tactile object attached to the book.  A prop adds another dimension to your story telling time and can be fun for parent and child.  

 

 http://www.alibris.com/Ball-Ros-Asquith/book/554683

  

5. Songs and Rhymes: Poetry and Music are wonderful story time favorites that can ease the parental pain of repetition.  Babies will love being held close as you sing a story or clap to rhyming words.  Rhymes and music are perfect components to enhance brain development.  Added Bonus:  It's super hard to be grouchy from sleep deprivation when you are singing an upbeat song.

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/itsy-bitsy-spider-iza-trapani/1102183397?ean=9781580890144

HAPPY READING!

Story Time Begins at Birth - Maybe Even Before!

Babies can begin to enjoy story time as soon as they are born. Do they know what is going on? Not at first. But they can tune in to the reader's voice, the tone, the inflection, and the emotions that occur during this special interaction.  Here are a few thoughts:

 

1. Select a book to take with you to the hospital and video tape your first story time. 

 

2. Keep the story simple and soothing. 

 

3. If you have other children, invite them to bring a favorite book to read to their new sibling. 

 

4. Sing a special song before and after story time. This is known as an "Auditory Cue" that signals when an activity begins and ends.  It helps prepare children for story time.

 

These ideas will help you begin to establish a special tradition of daily reading time with your baby.  You may even start your story time before baby comes.  Find a few minutes each day to relax and read aloud to your belly.  Pregnant moms have already discovered the benefits of listening to music while pregnant.  Let reading become another method to help regulate stress, find time for yourself, and develop a great habit that will have long term benefits for you and your baby.

 

We look forward to sharing more ideas each Thursday an hope you will join us on this blog site. 

 

 





Book Recommendations

 

 

 

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mama-do-you-love-me-barbara-m-joosse/1111619692?ean=9780811821315

 

 

 

  

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/papa-please-get-the-moon-for-me-eric-carle/1102381419?ean=9780689829598

 

 

 

 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodnight-moon-board-margaret-wise-brown/1105127857?ean=9780694003617