Parents

What About the Parents?

Most of the books I consulted pointed out that these programs are for parents, and that librarians should really design these programs to model behavior for the parents. Since I am not a parent myself, I found this attitude both puzzling and potentially condescending. Instead, I tried to think of myself as a librarian, not role model, by connecting parents with the literary tools their babies can use as they acquire basic skills.

Most importantly, I think these programs should be designed to be both informative and entertaining for the parents . After all, half your audience really consists of the "laps" behind the babies.

To this end, I worked to find books with simple, rhythmic language that actually told entertaining stories or used language play that adults might also find amusing. In using hand/finger plays and songs, I tried to intersperse familiar chants with unusual chants for adults to learn and try at home later. And I tried to choose music by artists that adults might know, such as Taj Mahal, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Bruce Springsteen, Louis Armstrong, and others.

Although babies won't understand themes, adults certainly will, and they are particularly likely to be interested when the themes relate to skills that their babies are acquiring. For each session, I brought books that were related to the theme of the day and pointed out the theme and the books related to it to the parents during the course of the program. I found it very natural to incorporate this information, and I have the impression that it encouraged parents to check out books.

By using a variety of stories, songs, and finger/hand plays, I hope to inspire parents to create new visual and acoustic ways to stimulate their babies' senses at home.


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