Do you miss the in-person Baby Time at the Coquitlam Public Library? It was such a joyful time to play with your babies! Playing and singing with babies is the most precious part of my job at the library and I am so lucky that I still can see them and sing for them via Zoom!
Why do we sing to babies? Singing to babies is a time of bonding between the baby and the parents. It also is the first language lesson for them. Research shows that we as parents put such an emphasize on writing, reading, numbers and not enough on singing. Singing is one of the most important parts of their development. The babies who have been sung to face fewer language problems when they are growing up than the ones who have not.
Here at the Coquitlam Public Library, we host a Baby Story Time session on Zoom on Thursdays from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Can’t make it? No worries. Below are two easy and common songs you can sing with your baby.
Here is the first song that I really liked. I have also included the YouTube video of the original tune, so you can sing it with your child. As you sing, please do the action with your baby's body parts.
I Wake Up my Hands (tune: Buffalo Gals)
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap
A clap, clap, clap,
A clap, clap, clap
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap
And I wiggle my waggles away (hold arms out front and wiggle)
Feet (stomp)
Eyes (blink)
Head (nod)
Belly (beep)
Hips (shake)
And here is a rhyme that I love! Lots of hugs and kisses in this rhyme and also playing with words:
A Hippopotamus
A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus
Got on, got on, got on a city bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“You’re squishing us!” (hug baby)
A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaack up!” (lean back)
A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Mooooove over!” (lean to the side)
As you can see in this rhyme, you imitate animal sounds and do actions as well. Enjoy playing with your child and don’t forget that we have the Baby Story Time on Zoom every Thursday from 10:30 am to 11:00 am. Just register via our website and you’re in! Hope to see you there!
For more information on Baby Story Time, please contact Jila Firouzmandi, Programming Assistant.