In the Nest

In the Nest

Welcome back for In the Nest!

If you have not viewed the video about programming for parents with infants, please return to the Ready To Hatch page and do so now!

Here is a brief video I made last year of a sample Session 1 from Hatchlings in the Nest.

Click here to hear songs / watch videos of the songs and rhymes for In the Nest

2024 Reproducibles for In the Nest

Below are all of the items needed to plan and run the Hatchlings: In the Nest sessions. Each item has a link that leads to a downloadable document that can be printed.

If you prefer to buy reasonably-priced professional printed copies of the materials, feel free to use the links below to connect with BookLogix and order directly from there.

In the Nest Products

Knowing What is Ahead

Instructional Guide

Similar to Ready to Hatch, the In the Nest Instructional Guide has all the information that you will need to plan and present Hatchlings sessions. It is recommended to download, print, and read the entire guide, keeping it on site as a handy reference tool.

  • In the Nest Instructional Guide  2024

Preparing for In the Nest

Organizing Checklist/Timeline

The Organizing Checklist / Timeline details all of the steps that need to be taken regarding preparation, publicity, distribution, printing, etc. from 3-6 months before your first session. The checklist is available as an editable Word Document for customization and or as a PDF for a prewritten checklist.

Program Considerations / Questions about Logistics

The logistics Questionnaire contains a list of considerations for local librarians to discuss with their directors and partners before planning the program about room accessibility and capacity building policies, etc.

Logistics Checklist & Information to Share

Once you have answered all the questions from the Logistics Questionnaires, enter them into the Logistics Checklist. That will remind you to mention materials and  services that your library can offer to registering participants, while the Blurb includes information and questions, such as asking if special accommodations will be needed.

Registration Form

Although many places ask people to sign up online, some partners may not have access to computers in this way. The paper registration form makes it easy for anyone to sign up anywhere; this information can later be entered and consolidated with another relevant online list, if needed.

Advertising Your Session

Flyer for advertising

The flyer below is a template which can be used for advertising your session. The Google Slide can be edited, allowing you to customize the date, time, and location. Add your logo as well! Flyers can be posted in the library, in supermarkets, in obstetrician’s offices, and given to your community partners for distribution. Scan the flyer and post it on social media such as the library website, listservs, electronic newsletters, blogs, Instagram, etc.

A gallery of flyers from other In the Nest programs are also included, to give an idea of what is possible, design-wide. If you create a new flyer design, feel free to share it with Betsy so she can post it here to share with others!

Social Media Posts

Use social media to promote your workshops. Post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and any electronic newsletters, library blogs or other media. This Webpage gives text that you can use and examples by other librarians. (original flyer as a PDF with blank spaces for adding information)

PowerPoint Presentation for Publicity Purposes

If you are asked to give a presentation to an organization that is considering offering Hatchlings, feel free to use this presentation by children’s librarian Sylvia Hennessie, Howard County Library System. It can be accessed as Google Slides for easy editing.

–”About Hatchlings” PowerPoint presentation (Google Slides)

Making Changes

Design Your Own Session

As mentioned in the Instructional Guide, although there are 4 Hatchlings: In the Nest scripts, no one is supposed to memorize it. In order for you to present your best session, it is important for you to “make it your own” so you will feel comfortable delivering it. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm; if you are enjoying yourself, everyone at your session will enjoy themselves too.

Creating a Session for a Mixed Group of Expectant and New Parents

  • Librarian Emily Trovato, Howard County Library System, created a Shortened In the Nest Script that works with both expectant parents AND parents with newborns which she  has graciously shared with us.
  • Emily’s script is also available as a Word Document for easy editing.
  • Librarian Sylvia Hennessie, also from Howard County Library System, advises to change the tense of the information being shared (e.g. "when baby was in the womb") and ask parents to share more examples of things they have been doing with baby thus far. "Try to elicit more from the group so that the session is even more relatable and reinforces the work they are doing."

 

Materials Checklist for Gathering Your Materials

The Materials Checklist will help you remember to bring everything you need when it’s time to set the room up for your session. It consists of 1) items for the in-house Hatchlings kits; 2) suggested materials (by week) for on-site and virtual programs; and 3) items needed to set up and present the Hatchlings sessions.

Online sessions are not only useful during a pandemic; they can bring together families living far apart in rural areas, families with medical issues, busy parents who cannot take time to physically attend a program at the library or at a partner site, and families who have no means of transportation.  Additionally, when used with a translator or in translation, In the Nest can unite new parents who speak the same language (other than English), even if they live in different locations.

 

During the Session

Consent Form

As participants arrive, ask them to fill out a Consent Form. The best way to do this is by having them scan the QR Code and complete the form online. We have created a handout to make this process easier. It is available below as a pdf document to use as is, or a Word document if you
want to add your logo or that of your community partner. Since we expect to be taking pictures and videos during the pilot session for documentation and reporting purposes, it is imperative that each attendee completes a consent form. If you want to use paper copies, you can print the PDF of the form. In that case, the forms must then be scanned in and sent to Elaine Czarnecki, the Hatchlings Evaluator, at ecz.read@gmail.com.

  • QR Codes Linking to Consent Forms and Surveys:
QR code for ITN consent form

Consent Form

 QR code for Eval survey

Survey after the first program

 QR code for 2023 follow-up surveyFollow-Up Survey

Consent Form Templates:

Sign-In Sheet

Because Pilot 3 is part of a research project, everyone must sign in AT EACH SESSION. If two parents attend, both parents must sign in.  The printable PDF for the Sign-In Sheet is below. The Sign-In Sheet should be scanned in and sent to Elaine Czarnecki, the Hatchlings Evaluator, at ecz.read@gmail.com. (together with any paper copies of the consent form and evaluation survey you may have used for your session).

Panels

The Ready to Hatch Panels should be printed out in full color on 11X17 tagboard. The panels were  saved at 300dpi which means that they should print out clearly. For the best results:

  • Check your printer settings. When  printing a PDF, beside the print box, there should be  a box to check off for “Advanced Printing”. Check it.
  • Under that, make sure your preset is set to “High Resolution.” You may want to check the other settings on your printer, but that’s what most probably is causing the problem.
  • If you don’t see a place for checking of 11×17, check out the size of “Tabloid.”
NOTE: It is best to download the files and print them rather than printing them directly from the web, because when you print from the website, it may not be at the resolution of the absolute file. So please download it first, and then check to make sure it is not set to “Down Sampling” and follow the instructions above.
If you do not have a color printer and need to have the panels printed for you, there is an option to purchase them from the MGOL store, here.

To prepare for the session, put the panels in numerical order with the first one at the front of the pile. There is  an unnumbered panel to use if you are looking for some questions to spur conversation. Other unnumbered panels have lyrics for songs and rhymes, and can be placed wherever you want to use them. You may or may not choose to use these. If you have a large crowd and the lyrics on the panels are too small for everyone to see, try picking up a panel and walking around the circle with it.

Google Slides Presentation for Virtual Sessions

If you plan on presenting  virtual In the Nestprograms, use these Google Slides Presentation! The slides are made directly from the panels, but the information from the script has been translated into the notes part below each slide. Downloading the Google Slides version will enable you to edit the script to best fit your presentation style.

Songbook and Audio Files

During the session, ask parents to use their Songbook to sing a song along with you. Give time for them to scan in the QR code with the link to recordings of Hatchlings songs while you are in the room together. That way, there is more likelihood of them actually using the recordings when they are at home! The songbook also has a QR code with a direct link to the Webpage with the songs and rhymes.

A New Song

This is a song which can be sung to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb” which can be used if you are having community partners talking about car seats!

Time to go into the car, into the car, into the car.

Time to go into the car and be safe in your seat.

First you sit down in your seat, in your seat, in your seat.

First you sit down in your seat and clap your hands like this.

Now we have to find the straps, find the straps, find the straps.

Now we have to find the straps and put them on like this.

Now we find the buckle parts, the buckle, the buckle parts.

Now we find the buckle parts and click them in like this.

Make it snug to make it safe. Make it snug to make it safe.

Make it snug to make it safe and give a little kiss.

(feel free to substitute “bus”, or “train” or any other type of vehicle.) This song was written by Betsy Diamant-Cohen and Emily Trovato.

 

Workshop Evaluation - Surveys

Because this is a Pilot Program, each person must fill out an Evaluation Survey. The results will be compiled and publicized. As with the consent form, the best way to do this is by having them
scan the QR Code and complete the survey online. We have created a handout to make this process easier. It is available below as a pdf document to use as is, or a Word document if you want to add your logo or that of your community partner. If you want to use paper copies, you can print the PDF of the survey. In that case, the surveys must then be scanned in and sent to Elaine Czarnecki, the Hatchlings Evaluator, at ecz.read@gmail.com. A survey should be filled out after each person's first program and final program.

"Hatchlings Highlights"

As you begin each session, tell parents that they don’t need to take notes because they will be getting a “Hatchlings Highlights” hand-out with pictures of all panels or slides used during the session to take home with them. This PDF reinforces new information and encourages singing even more!

After the session:

Self Reflection

Once everything has been put away from your session, spend a few minutes thinking over what you liked the best and what you may have felt challenging. You may want to use this Self Reflection Form to take notes. Before presenting another session, look over your notes; what you read may help you to tweak your presentation to be even better than it was before!

Follow-Up Surveys

If you want to administer follow-up surveys, here are some questions that can be used during her follow-up phone-calls after the program has finished.

 

Printing Option

Due to a request from a community partner who did not have access to an color printer or photocopier, we are now using the services of BookLogix to print out all necessary materials. To find out more about this option, please visit the Kit section or our store, or click here.

La mamá gansa alza el vuelo con sus pollitos / listos para nacer – Spanish language materials

In the Nest

Available PowerPoints

Thank you to Kirsten Grunberg for converting the original English language slides (illustrations as well as text) into these wonderful PowerPoint and substituting new materials and information when needed.

Handouts of the PowerPoints

If you choose to continue running In the Nest sessions after the first four have been completed, you will need to have topics talk about. The book The Brain Game was developed by pediatricians, neonatologists and childhood development specialists. It translated scientific research into easy to understand language, explaining what is going on in the early stages of child development, and a free copy is given to every new parent in La Cross, WI.

Check out thebraingame.org here

 

Return to Hatchlings: In the Nest Materials

Return to Hatchlings Home Page

If you have not viewed the video about programming for parents with infants, please do so now!

Here is a brief video I made last year of a sample Session 1 from Hatchlings in the Nest.

Click here to hear songs / watch videos of the songs and rhymes for In the Nest