Nyack Basics by Valley Cottage Library: Talk, Sing , And Point
Information and materials related to the Nyack Basics Campaign
Why is this important?
Babies learn language from the moment they are born. Be responsive to their sounds, and later, their words. Connect with eye contact and a loving tone of voice, while pointing to help them know what you are talking about.
Use any language. Speak in whatever language you are most comfortable. All languages help children’s development. It’s great if your child grows up speaking more than one language!
Videos in English and Spanish about using "Talk, Sing, and Point" in everyday life.
For Infants
- Talk a lot. Talk to your baby from the time they are born during activities like changing,feeding, bathing, and errands. Describe what you are doing.
- Use a playful voice. Smile and look into your baby’s eyes. Exaggerate the sounds of words.
- Follow their interests. Talk about the things your baby looks at or reaches for. Notice which ways of talking or singing seem to interest them the most.
- Go back and forth. When your baby makes a sound, show excitement on your face and in your voice. Respond with words. See how long you can keep the “conversation” going back and forth between the two of you.
- Sing. Your baby’s favorite songs might be those that repeat words or have rhyming sounds.
- Point to objects. Point to objects and name them—especially the things that seem to interest your baby.
Board Books
Five Little Ducks by Call Number: BB KublerISBN: 9780859531412Publication Date: 2002-09-01All children love this traditional rhyme and singing along will help to develop number skills. Bouncy illustrations, innovative die cutting and popular rhymes make Books with Holes a must for every child. Available in three formats, suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and the nursery or classroom.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes ... by Call Number: BB KublerISBN: 9780859537285Publication Date: 2002-04-01This award winning series has been specifically designed for babies. A great introduction to books through well-known nursery rhymes and interactive text. Singing songs and rhymes is the perfect way to bond with your baby and share quality time. It also aids language development by introducing them to the natural sounds and patterns of speech. Combining these with actions also stimulates the brain and helps muscle development.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Call Number: BB KublerISBN: 9780859536585Publication Date: 2003-04-01This award winning series has been specifically designed for babies. A great introduction to books through well-known nursery rhymes and interactive text. Singing songs and rhymes is the perfect way to bond with your baby and share quality time. It also aids language development by introducing them to the natural sounds and patterns of speech. Combining these with actions also stimulates the brain and helps muscle development.
Same and Different by Call Number: BB LookISBN: 9781426309281Publication Date: 2012-06-12Using the beautiful photographic counting games inspired by those in National Geographic Little Kids magazine, curious children will learn to find likeness in different animals despite differences in size, development, colour, or species. The interactive Look & Learn series is a multi-layered, skill-building approach that introduces concepts with context reinforcement so learning sticks. These eye-catching books make early learning fun!
Shapes! by Call Number: BB LookISBN: 9781426310423Publication Date: 2012-08-14Using the beautiful photographic matching games inspired by National Geographic Little Kids magazine, curious children will be entertained by the satisfying puzzles using shapes, both in isolation and in their environments.
Talk with Me! by Call Number: BB BlackstoneISBN: 9781846861802Publication Date: 2009-03-01Join children from across the world and learn about the different noises animals make. From snapping to growling to squawking, these animals are a great way to introduce young children to different cultures and they will love discovering who's talking to them behind the flaps!
That's Not My Truck by Call Number: BB WattISBN: 9780794521882Publication Date: 2009-01-01This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching th
Trains by Call Number: BB BartonISBN: 9780694011674Publication Date: 1998-04-18Byron Barton introduces young readers to the fun of trains in this bold and colorful book. All aboard as the train journeys through a town, past workers repairing the rails and into the station. With simple text and vibrant illustrations, readers will learn about a variety of trains and what they do.
We Love to Sing Along! by Call Number: BB CHURCHISBN: 9780545901376Publication Date: 2016-05-31Sing along to these beloved preschool songs with bestselling illustrator Caroline Jayne Church! The soft padded covers, rounded corners and sturdy board pages make this collection a perfect fit for children ready to turn the pages, listen to the rhymes, and sing along! Songs include: "You are My Sunshine" "The More We Get Together" "Rain, Rain, Go Away" "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".
Where Is Baby's Belly Button? by Call Number: BB KatzISBN: 9780689835605Publication Date: 2000-09-01Karen Katz's adorable babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. Where are Baby's hands? Under the bubbles! Where are baby's eyes? Under her hat! The sturdy format and easy-to-lift flaps are perfect for parents and children to share.
For Toddlers
- Describe life. Talk about the everyday things you see and do together. Most things are new and interesting to a toddler!
- Use your hands. Point to the objects you talk about. Encourage your child to point to objects that you name.
- Listen and respond. Show your toddler that you are interested in what they have to say. Respond to their comments and questions.
- Expand on what your child says. For example, if they point to a dog and say, “Doggie,” you can reply, “Yes, that is a doggie. It’s brown and soft.”
- Ask questions. Get your toddler to think. Ask questions that start with "Who…?" "What…?" or "Why…?" For example, "Why do you think the boy is sad?" Show interest in their answers.
- Sing. Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes from your childhood, from books, or make up new ones. Your toddler may especially enjoy the ones with rhyming sounds or hand motions. Try singing the same song whenever it’s time for a special activity like bath time.
Picture Books
It Starts with a Seed by Call Number: JP KNOWLESISBN: 9781910277263Publication Date: 2017-09-05Take a journey through the seasons and years as we follow the seed's transformation from a seedling to a sapling, then a young tree, until it becomes a large tree with its branches and roots filling the page. As the tree grows, it is joined by well-loved woodland creatures - squirrels and rabbits, butterflies and owls - who make it their home. Beautiful and evocative, It Starts With a Seed is a factual story that will touch children with its simple, enchanting message of life and growth.
The Little Fire Truck by Call Number: JP CUYLERISBN: 9781627798051Publication Date: 2017-10-10The Little Fire Truck is ready for rescues big and small! Join firefighter Jill and her fearless little fire truck as they zip all over town to put out smoky fires and rescue those in need, with the help of the fire crew in this picture book companion toThe Little Dump TruckandThe Little School Bus. There's lots of challenging work to do, but this trusty team is always ready to rescue!
Littles by Call Number: JP DIPUCCHIOISBN: 9780399555268Publication Date: 2017-06-13In this unforgettable, squeal-filled, tear-inducing love song to babies and how quickly they grow up, author Kelly DiPucchio's heart-tugging rhyme meets the gorgeous, dimple-cheeked, multicultural babies of illustrator AG Ford. With adorable scenes from the busy life of a baby-peekaboo, feedings, tantrums, giggles-and a final scene that reminds us how they become big kids all too soon!
My World by Call Number: JP PRESTON-GANNONISBN: 9781627795302Publication Date: 2017-02-28A beautiful and entertaining visual catalog for toddlers--including things that go, cute fruits and veggies, undersea creatures, and more! There's no end to the fun in finding and naming each object in these chockablock spreads! Beautiful birds, adorable mommy and baby animals, colorful clothing, musical instruments, and more fill each page, with objects labeled and grouped by theme. A fun, gorgeous visual dictionary for the very youngest of readers.
NY Is for New York by Call Number: JP THURLBYISBN: 9781492654650Publication Date: 2017-10-03Discover the best of New York from A to Z with award-winning illustrator Paul Thurlby! From Times Square to the Statue of Liberty, via Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more, this stunning book is bursting with the sights, sounds, and energy of The Big Apple! See familiar landmarks and discover the lesser known charms of the city. New York has never been more spectacular!
Snow Scene by Call Number: JP JACKSONISBN: 9781626726802Publication Date: 2017-11-07A close-up of tree trunks leads to the question "What are these?" A page turn reveals: trees! Look to the right--what are those? Shadows of crows! Follow the clues on each spread until the snow starts to melt and spring is revealed. A playful guessing game set in a snowy landscape, this gorgeously illustrated picture book offers a cozy look at a cold winter that slowly melts into a bright spring with only a handful of carefully chosen words.
Stop, Go, Yes, No! by Call Number: JP TWOHYISBN: 9780062469335Publication Date: 2018-08-14A cat stops. The dog goes. Dog says yes! Cat... no. In the vein of Tom and Jerry, Road Runner, Bugs Bunny, and other classic cartoons, Stop, Go, Yes, No! features an adorably enthusiastic dog and a less-enthusiastic cat on a chase full of silly and exciting turns, with a heartwarming twist.
