New June 2012

                     IFLA Newsletter, page 24-29                

                     (located under "sidebar" to right; click to open) 

        video of "Man in the Moon" program available upon request via email                                                                

Language Play for Infants

Story/circle time for infants, sometimes called "lapsit," for newborns to eleven months is a special time for the infant and the care provider to participate in one-on-one developmentally appropriate activities. Little ones quickly become willing participants when they watch an adult focusing attention directly on them. Typically non-walkers and non-talkers engage with their eyes and ears and react with smiles and intense staring. They want stimulation. Therefore, pleasant, joyful, memorable ways to accomplish this goal need to be planned and provided to promote awareness of themselves and others.

     The fast-paced, 30-minute activities of body movement, songs, yoga, and signing demonstrated during a story/circle time may be replicated using the same or an adapted sequence at home or in a child care environment. The user of this wiki is encouraged to download or print a copy of any or all the activities, songs, etc. listed on the "sidebar" to the right. All are provided MS Word, MS Publisher and PDF formats.

     The creator of the site would like to hear of your successes and reactions.

     Please feel free to write c/o earlyliteracyworkshops@live.com

               --photographs from "Man in the Moon" January-February 2009

Name: Jim Thomas

Phone Number: 972.899.0671 (leave message)

Email: earlyliteracyworkshops@live.com

Wiki : http://www.itsybitsybabies.pbworks.com

See also:  http://toddlericon.pbworks.com; http://rtor.pbworks.com; http://2s3s4s.pbworks.com

biographical note

      "Mr. Jim," as I am called in the library setting, has worked as a children's librarian for the past 10 years after retiring as a library science professor for seventeen years at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas.  I have also taught English in grades 7 through 11.  My academic background includes a BA in English, MA in English, MLS in library science, and doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Virginia.  I have taken postdoctoral work in early childhood education.  I have two grown sons and six grandchildren.

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