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Bookbug Session Plan: Bookbug Says Hello!
To complement Bookbug Week, 13–19 May, we have a session that celebrates Bookbug Sessions being welcoming and inclusive to all. These songs and rhymes will help grown-ups strengthen relationships with their little ones and will help everyone form new relationships with others in the group. All it takes is to say ‘Hello!’
Introduction song
Benefits
Makes everyone feel welcome – everyone can participate in any way they can, e.g. tap, clap, jump or even hum along.
Tips
If you have a small group, personalise the song by including the children’s names.
Action rhyme
Benefits
This is a great rhyme to encourage bonding and attachment with your wee one and to interact with other members of the group by smiling, clapping or saying ‘hello’.
Tips
Face your child. Say the rhyme and with each word, or on the beat, clap your hands together and then with your child. You could end with a tickle when you get to ‘me’. Stand up and hold hands in partners. Walk round in a circle then at the end you could have a cuddle or say ‘hello’ to a new partner, and start all over again.
Action songs
Benefits
Performing finger movements while reciting Tommy Thumb can help develop children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It can also promote social interaction and provide valuable opportunities for learning and practising polite greetings.
Tips
Bunch your fingers into a fist then show your fingers as they are introduced throughout the song (Tommy Thumb, show your thumb, etc). At the end of the song, bring out both hands and waggle fingers when singing ‘Fingers all. . .’. Children can hide their hands underneath a blanket, pillow case or some Lycra. As each finger is introduced, have children raise their hand so they can see the shape, or bring it out from underneath. Older children can bow, curtsy or shake hands with each other.
Benefits
Engaging in rhythmic movements like clapping, stamping and moving can help children release energy and express positive emotions such as happiness, excitement, or enthusiasm. In group settings, children have the opportunity to observe and learn from each other's behaviour, including how to greet others and respond to social cues.
Tips
Toddlers will love joining in with actions in this lively song – do the actions yourself so they can watch you and learn what to do! You don’t need musical instruments for your child to keep the beat to a song or rhyme. Clap along, or make a simple drum by turning a saucepan or plastic tub upside down. A wooden spoon makes a perfect drumstick!
Transition song
I Wonder What’s in my Bag Today?
Benefits
Builds anticipation and captures the attention of the children.
Tips
Use Bookbug to help engage the children in singing the ‘I wonder what’s in my bag’ song, and use Makaton to support different communication needs. Sing the song to the tune of ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’:
‘I wonder what’s in my bag today, bag today, bag today I wonder what’s in my bag today, come and take a look… At Bookbug’s favourite book.’
Story
Welcome to Our World by Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas
Benefits
In this captivatingly illustrated non-fiction book, children embark on a delightful journey exploring the rich tapestry of cultures across the world. From the languages spoken, the foods savoured at breakfast tables and the festive celebrations marking special occasions, every page is a treasure trove of discovery. This book is a heartwarming reminder that there's an underlying unity in our world for we have more in common than divides us.
Tips
Why don’t you share a few pages with your group, asking them to repeat with you some of the phrases in the book? For example, try saying the word ‘happy’ in different languages or some of the international noises animals make, e.g. ducks go ‘mac mac’ in Romania and bees go ‘bun bun’ in Japan! You could also repeat some special sayings from around the world e.g. ‘Stop ironing my head!’ (‘Stop annoying me!’ in Armenian).
Action songs
Benefits
Rig a Jig encourages families and children to engage with each other, fostering a sense of friendship and togetherness.
Tips
Toddlers can bounce on your lap, tap on their knees or clap along to the song. Older children can jump up and down and dance around or find a partner to dance with. Children can walk around the space and greet one another with a handshake or wave.
Benefits
An active song that promotes imaginative play, physical activity, language development, social interaction, and emotional expression among children.
Tips
Bounce your toddler on your lap facing forward or encourage them to bounce as they stand. For ‘woah – woah – woah!’ you can lift your toddler in the air or swing them side to side! Use names of family members or friends for the hello section: ‘Who shall we say hello to today? Granny? Hello granny!’
Older children will most likely enjoy pretending to ride a horse! Repeat at different speeds – can they gallop really fast, or maybe even in slow motion? For the stop section, can they stand really still? Encourage children to interact with each other with a handshake, wave or hello.
Familiar song
Benefits
This soothing song can evoke feelings of happiness and wonder as the families describe the beauty of colours in nature. Singing the song provides a fun and engaging way for children to express positive emotions and appreciate the world around them.
Tips
If you are singing this in a group setting or nursery, get little ones to stand up or raise a hand if they're wearing a colour that's mentioned in the song. A great one to support colour recognition. Can you point out things around you that match the colours in the song? This will help to give meaning to the words that children hear.
Final song
Benefits
Tells everyone the session is coming to an end.
Tips
Wave, smile and use names if you know them. If you know Makaton you can support this song with signs.
Permissions
Please read our guide on permission to read books aloud online.