Flannel Friday! Hola a Todos!

Beautiful Colors Abound!

National Hispanic Heritage Month is absolutely beautiful in our library.  The dual language books and juvenile biographies are colorful and gorgeous.  We came up with a fancy song for our Tunes for Tots program - something to sing for this month of celebration - but really, why should we stop?  Everyone's singing in Spanish.  We are all bilingual for at least 60 seconds!  I vote we stick with it for awhile, a long while!

(to the tune of Are You Sleeping?)

Buenos dias, buenos dias

Como estas?Como estas?

Yo muy bien gracias.  Yo muy bien gracias

Y usted?  Y usted? 

(that Y has to be carried out for two notes: E-E usted)

Translation: Hello

How are you?

I'm very well thank you

And you?

Do you know about our dual language collection? We wrote about it here.  Check it out, it may surprise you.  Two languages in one book for our amazing multi-lingual community.  And we have Dual Language Kits that are fantastica! 

This is the perfect time to introduce Armando, "Mando" - the newest character on Sesame Street - and he speaks Spanish and English. He's from Puerto Rico.  Piper and I would love to have him visit us.  Fan-girls can dream!  Read about him here.   Speaking of Sesame Street, Cookie Monster made an appearance at Prime Time with Piper and Mrs Breen this week. "Me want cookies" always brings the giggles!  We all laugh in the same language!

If you're interested in reading about raising bilingual children please click here.  

And if you'd like some inspiration for making bilingual flannel stories - please visit the Flannel Friday Pinterest Page!    Really good stuff there.  Look!  Miss Mary Liberry's elefantes!

Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  Please leave a comment in English or Spanish -  Gracias!

P.S (Piper Script): Our story time kids love Dora, Diego and Boots....me too!  Oh and you may want to check out this book review in SLJ.  Betsy Bird timed it perfectly for our blog!

For more information on National Hispanic Heritage Month, just click.

   

How To "Tunes for Tots" on Flannel Friday

Tunes for Tots Parties in the House of the Fish!

Dance with Me by Charles R Smith

Well, we've hosted some form of Tunes for Tots, Music and Movement, or Dance Party Night for more than 15 years.  Both Piper and I love to dance.  In fact my New Year's Resolution for January 2013 was more dancing in the house, my house...a personal ...sort of ...party like 1972, 1982!  Music and dance programs with preschoolers are So. Much. Fun.   And currently Piper and I have about 50 big and little people who agree with us. 

I think our Tunes for Tots popularity is due to our willingness to change, explore, experiment and well, of course, there's Piper!  This fall we've mixed it up a little.  Not too long ago I realized that we needed a new opening for our program..something to make everyone comfy, silly and happy to play with their kids.  Our very own ice breaker for the wall flower moms/dads/kids.  Let's think of it as a gentle push to get out there and get your dance on!

For the past three weeks we've opened with flannel board songs inviting the kids to the board, encouraging bouncing, clapping, rhyming, counting, color recognition and best of all -they get to know the Piper girl!  Once the caregivers and kids realize that I am willing to be totally ridiculous...we do indeed get our dance on!  This has been an easy change.  And maybe the best part is that I get an up close-to-the-flannel-board-moment with most of the kids, it's friendlier...is that a word?  It's more friendly!

Now this is how I bring the awesome! It's old school.  I am a Sharpie Marker addict for all things creative.  With my clear pallet of folded white paper I write out my weekly hits list in detail and large print!  I am in love with my ipod and easily creating playlists but currently my "boom box" is not working with the ipod.  Budgets being what budgets are - I am back to spinning CD's!   And it's all good!

Here's the recipe for success for Week #1

Flannel Songs/participation:

Two Little Dickey Birds

Bumping Along in my Little Red Wagon(each child had a color square to place on the flannel board)

This Old Man

and then P-I-P-E-R song and meet the dog!  

Dancing/Singing:

Johnette Downing's -Shake Your Scarves

                                 and Flitter Flutter  (using scarves)

Laurie Berkner's - We are the Dinosaurs

                            and I Know a Chicken (with our shaker eggs)

Everyone sits down and we sing:

                      Go Fish, Party Like a Preschooler's - ABC's

                       Ralph's World - Driving in My Car

We stand up again and we sing

                        Songs About Me - Piece of Paper  (with a piece of paper)

                        Go Fish's - If You're Happy and You Know It

                         and Fun Music Man's - Wave Goodbye Like a Windmill

...and then there's lots of hugging good-bye!  Did you know we need at least 4 hugs a day?  Thank goodness for Tunes for Tots...I get my "dance on" and my hugs!  

P.S. (Piper Script):  One of our favorite songs is on the Go Fish Party Like a Preschooler CD - If You"re Happy And You Know It.  Go get your kids and click this link.  It's too cool!  You want to party in the House of the Fish...are you with me?  Cole?  Daniel?  Let's do it!

 Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird