

Here
are some fun ways to use the little wordless books:
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Sing the song with children,
then watch them turn it into their own songs and stories!
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Give them crayons or a pencil
and let them add words or illustrations, and of course their
names!
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Print them all and make a
special container for them.
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And lastly, don’t forget to
make a blank book! Children love blank little folded books so
they can make up their own songs and stories.


The public library has changed a lot in recent years. If
you aren’t a regular library user you are missing out on one
of the most valuable and user-friendly resources our free
society has to offer. Find out about and facilitate your
clients’ use of these valuable free resources. I am in
libraries all the time and am constantly amazed to learn
about the services and resources being added all the time.
Here are just some of the resources your library might
provide:
-
Free Printing (my library allows 75 black and
white or 25 color pages a week) and almost all offer free
computer use.
-
Themed Kits you can check out; which in
addition to books may include videos, music CD’s, puppets,
and even “play to learn” toys like blocks or sensory
materials.
- Online
Resources many libraries provide are open to
any one on the Internet, not just library patrons In the
box on the right I've listed some of my favorites, and of
course– they are free! Ask your children’s librarian about
all the services your library offers.
-
Check-Out of magazines, e-books, and even
the actual device to view them with. In addition, many
libraries provide classes on how to use the devices and
download the materials.
-
Outreach Services: Many libraries have mobile
libraries that have everything a library has, but of
course less of it. They visit schools, parks, shopping
centers, home daycares and can often be requested.
-
Story Times for infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers. Bringing your children to the library
introduces them to a love of reading in a safe and
child-friendly environment with experts on child
development. The library is also a wonderful place for
children to gain social skills and manners. Many libraries
now incorporate play and learn times, providing open-ended
educational toys such as blocks, stuffed animals. balls,
and sensory toys.
-
Language Classes and “talk time” for adults and
story times in a variety of languages for non-English
speaking families.
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Since full use of this website depends on families being
able to actually hear the songs provided, we need to know
how they are able to access them. With technology changing
every day, the only thing we can say for sure is that we
can’t make assumptions about how families listen to music.
It does no good to give a family a CD if they have no way to
play it. Many families of all income levels no longer have
CD player, or only have them in their cars. Many do not have
any kind of sound system. Even downloading music is being
replaced with streaming. Obviously parents need to have a
way to listen to the songs in order to use them.

-
If your clients have smartphones, find out if they have
and know how to a QR code reader. Smartphone have the
additional advantage of having a built-in speaker, so this
is the most effective way to give them access to the
songs. Read the information about QR codes
HERE.
-
Purchase inexpensive MP3 players with a built-in speaker
(these start at around $20), and pre-load them with songs.
-
Combine printed books with those songs and make a kit that
can be checked out by families. Be sure to consider any
additional expenses such as batteries. Many mp3 players
are rechargeable using a USB cable. So one possibility is
that the players are rotated out with different sets of
songs, and recharged by the organization before being
returned to the families. * You can also purchase
inexpensive Voice recorders (used for dictation). They can
also be pre-loaded with songs and loaned out to families
along with printed books. Just make sure any small device
has a built-in speaker.
-
Purchase inexpensive CD players, and make CD’s from songs
on the website. These are still available starting at
around $25, and can be plugged in eliminating the need to
use and replace batteries
-
Families that have computers with Internet access can
download or just listen to the songs.
-
Families with computers but no Internet access can be
provided a USB drive or CD (if their computer has a CD
drive in working order) containing all of the songs on
this website.
Ask questions and provide a
variety of ways for your families to listen to songs. |
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Nancymusic.com
My artist website where I have been offering (and continue to offer) a free
song a month, including lyrics, sheet music, prop patterns, and activities.
NellieEdge.com
A great information and free printable books from legendary kindergarten
teacher. Nellie Edge
KCLS Tell Me a Story
Huge collection of songs, nursery rhymes, and finger plays; many with
YouTube Videos Tip: There is no way to tell if the song or rhyme has a
YouTube video until you click on it. If one doesn’t appear, it doesn’t. To
get back to the list click your back button.
Mama Lisa’s
World
An enormous collection of songs from around the world. This site has been
around for many years, and although they have added some advertising, it’s
unobtrusive, and you have free and instant access to the songs. You choose
by continent or country, and it’s impressively extensive.
Sno-Isle.org
This site has beautifully produced videos on the five practices of early
literacy. They are a wonderful tool for parents, grandparents, and teachers
alike.
EnchantedLearning.com
Like an online encyclopedia, but more. Many printables on every topic
imaginable. rebus rhymes Plan to spend some time exploring this website. It
has become my go-to site for just about everything.
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