Early Literacy is: When you are reading: everything children know Nursery about reading and writing Nursery Having fun while reading sends a Rhyme great message about books. before they can actually Cuddle with your baby as you read; read and write. Early ideas: if your baby crawls away, keep literacy starts at birth. reading. They are still listening Pat-a-cake — eating and learning. Little Bo Peep — looking for a lost toy Point to pictures in books and Rub-a-Dub Dub and One Two Three name them. What can you do? Four Five — bathing Read books with rhyming words. One Two, Buckle My Shoe — dressing Ask questions about what is hap- pening in the story and then tell Talk with your baby as you play and Rain, Rain, Go Away and Eensy your baby the answer. do daily activities together. Weensy Spider — for a rainy day Let your baby hold a board book. Name objects. There Was a Crooked Man and Ride a Discuss sounds you hear. Cockhorse — on a walk Listen to and respond to your baby’s Twinkle, Twinkle and Hey Diddle, Diddle babbling as if you are having a — looking at the stars Take a book with you wherever you go with conversation. Wee Willie Winkie — bedtime your child. You will have time to read while Recite nursery rhymes during every waiting in the doctor’s office, pushing your day activities. child through the grocery store, taking a Read together every day. break at the mall, or having your oil Sing songs to your child. changed. Cuddle and play with your baby. Song ideas:

Why is this important? Mary Had a Little Lamb Hush Little Baby When you read, talk, and play – you are Down by the Station stimulating the growth of a child’s brain, This Old Man building the connections that will become Baa Baa Black Sheep the building blocks for reading and learning. Books to Share with your baby:

EPB B Goodnight Moon It’s Not EPB C Find the Puppy EPB H Choo Choo Too Early EPB H Black on White EPB H Nursery Rhyme Jazz (book with CD) to Start Song books and music EPB M Baby Faces to Share with your EPB S Baby Says Reading to Share with your Peekaboo! baby: EPB T Touch and Feel Wild Animals to Your

Call Number Title E Baker Big Fat Hen Baby E Gentieu Baby! Talk! EPB Hickory Hickory, Dickory, E Hill Where’s Spot Dock E Tafuri Spots, Feathers, and Curly Tails EPB Hurwitz Nursery Rhyme Jazz (book with CD) E Long Hush Little Baby

E Raffi Five Little Ducks

ZM Beall Wee Sing for Baby ZM Diaper Diaper Gym: Fun Activities for Babies on the Move ZM Raffi Singable Songs for the Very Young Grace A. Dow Memorial Library ZM Sharon Mainly Mother Goose Youth Services 837-3466 ZM Stewart Baby Face