There was a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o

 

My Bingo books have caused much confusion since I first started publishing them a couple of years ago.  I get it; the game is more popular that the old song, but for a youth librarian, the song is more memorable!

I started creating Bingo Books (well, the songs with felt pieces) when I was doing a theme that happened to be a five letter word, such as APPLE, ACORN, CANDY (for Halloween!), TEETH, PIZZA, SHARK and more!  Including songs in library storytimes for young children is incredibly valuable for several reasons:

1. Language Development: Songs introduce rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, which help young children build vocabulary, phonological awareness, and listening skills.

2. Engagement: Music captures attention, making storytime more interactive and fun. This helps children stay focused and involved, even at a young age.

3. Memory and Comprehension: The repetition of lyrics helps children remember new words and concepts, reinforcing what they’ve learned during storytime.  My Bingo Books can be easily adapted to your group, choosing to use one of the verses and repeating it or using all of the different verses. There are many subjects as well to fit a variety of themes and interests. 

4. Motor Skills: Many songs include actions or movements, which encourage children to develop fine and gross motor skills as they follow along with hand motions or dance.  With my songs written to the tune of Bingo, kids and their adults can clap along to the beat which helps them focus on the letter and word sounds.

5. Emotional Connection: Music evokes emotions, creating a positive association with books and reading. And using familiar tunes helps to invoke confidence as the kids and their adults know the tune. This makes children excited to return to storytime and encourages a lifelong love of reading.  

6. Social Skills: Group singing helps children learn to take turns, share attention, and participate in a group setting, which are key social skills for young learners.  If you take one of my Bingo Books and create simple felt pieces to go along with it, you can help each child participate in taking down letters when you lose a letter.

Songs make storytime a more dynamic, enriching experience, helping kids learn through play which is so very important.  After all, remember what Mister Rogers had to say about play:  "Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.  But for children play is serious learning.  Play is really the work of childhood."  

So go out there and play with your children - and SING!