When I first started having babies in story time I was very intimidated. I was used to have preschoolers who would answer open-ended questions and followed along to songs. I quickly learned that for baby story time it is important to speak instructions and use a stuffed animal to demonstrate (I still feel silly doing this but parents appreciate it). The first time I tried lap bounces I tired some parents out by lifting their child so often, moving forward I inform them they they can lift their child or raise their arms.
Here are some of my favorite lap bounces to use:
Bouncing, Bouncing
Bouncing, bouncing baby on my knee (bounce child)
Bouncing, bouncing
1, 2, 3 (lift child or raise their arms)
Clapping, clapping with baby on my knee (clap child’s hands)
Clapping, clapping
1, 2, 3
Hugging, hugging baby on my knee (hug child)
Hugging, hugging
1, 2, 3
Giddy-Up
Giddy-up, giddy-up ride to town (bounce child)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, up and down
Giddy-up fast (bounce quickly)
Giddy-up slow (bounce slowly)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up (bounce child)
WHOOAH (dip child to side and dip between legs)
Grand Old Duke of York
The Grand Old Duke of York (bounce child)
He had ten thousand men
He march them up to the top of the hill (lift child or raise their arms)
And he marched them down again
And when they’re up, they’re up (lift child or raise their arms)
And when they’re down, they’re down
And when they’re only half way up
They’re neither up nor down
Icka Bicka Soda Cracker
Icka bicka soda cracker (bounce child)
Icka bicka boo
Icka bicka soda cracker
Up goes you! (life child or raise their arms)
Icka bicka soda cracker (bounce child)
Icka bicka boo
Icka bicka soda cracker
I love you (hug child)
Jack Be Nimble
I encourage parents to use their own child’s name.
Jack be nimble, jack be quick (bounce child on one knee)
Jack jumped over the candlestick (lift them to the other knee)
Mother, Father and Uncle John
Mother, father and Uncle John (bounce child)
Went to town one by one
Mother fell off (lean child to one side)
Father fell off (lean child to other side)
But Uncle John went on and on and on (bounce quickly)
Don’t miss out on Baby Storytime Favorites: Rhymes/Songs!
[…] For baby storytime I like to have one main book that we read, a few songs/fingerplays geared towards the book and some lap bounces. I like to keep the lap bounces the same every week so the parent and child can get used to them. You can find some of my favorites here. […]