3. Since Hatchlings began during the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Betsy provided the following virtual demonstration of the Ready to Hatch for upcoming facilitators. (The brain piece begins at approximately 7:05. Be aware that the unrevised first set of panels are used here; the current panels have a more accurate depiction of an immature neuron, with a thinner axon that has no myelin sheath.)

At the Beginning

Instructional Guide

The 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. 

If you prefer not to print your own materials or do not have access to a photocopier, printed copies of the materials can be ordered from Booklogix for the prices listed below, plus shipping and handling in the US.

Instruction Guide: $30

Panels: $60

The bundle: $79.99 (both items together)

 

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 session.  The checklist is available as an editable Word Document for customization and or as a PDF for a prewritten checklist.

Checklist / Timeline as a Word Document

 

Advertising Your Session

Flyer for advertising

This flyer 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! The 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.

Flyer template as a Google Slide

*The flyer can be edited in Adobe Acrobat Pro or Adobe Illustrator

View a variety of flyers designed by different counties in Maryland

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. 

PowerPoint Presentations

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)

 

Preparing for Ready To Hatch

Logistics Questionnaire

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 & Blurb

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.

Although many libraries use online registration, the printed Registration Form will come in handy if the computer is down. Your partner organizations may not be set-up for computer registration, and they may also benefit from having some of these.

Registration form (editable version as a Google Slide)

 

Design Your Own Session

As mentioned in the Instructional Guide, although there is a Hatchlings script, 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. 

• We recommend that you first read over the complete script in the Instructional Guide a few times to become fully familiar with the material. 
• The Cheat Sheet gives an outline of the basic program, topics, and songs if you want to follow the script.
• If you prefer to make changes or will not have time to present everything, the list of topics in Ready to Hatch Script Topics and Songs will enable you to pick and choose what you wish to cover. 
• If you would be more comfortable rearranging the program, use the Design Your Own Session Template to keep the natural flow of the session. 
• Librarian Emily Trovato, Howard County Library System, created a Shortened Ready to Hatch Script that works with expectant parent which she  has graciously shared with us.
• Emily's script is also available as a Word Document for easy editing.

 

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, 

 

 

During the Session

Consent Form

As participants arrive, ask them to fill out a Consent Form to inform parents and attendees there will be photos and videos taken of the session. It is strongly recommended that all consent forms be filled out prior to the session. If possible, use the online survey at https://forms.gle/zY7rpUtt2kRu4vNBA  by copying it to whatever online survey program your library uses. Having a QR code flyer which takes participants to the online consent form will be easier than asking them to fill out paper copies. Free QR codes can be made at https://bit.ly.com; use them to replace the sample QR codes on the flyers below so the results will come to you instead of someone else! 

The consent form is also 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 expect to be taking pictures
and videos 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. 

This link will open a PDF document to which you can add your own QR codes.

Consent Form QR Codes Handout as a Word Doc for Editing

 

Sign-In Sheet

Everyone must sign in. If two parents attend, both parents must sign in. The printable PDF for the Sign-In Sheet. 

Sign-in Sheet as a Google Slide

 

Panels

The Ready to Hatch Panels should be printed out in full color on 11X17 tagboard and laminated. To prepare for the session, put the panels in numerical order with the first one at the front of the pile. The unnumbered panel between panels 6 and 7 is meant for you to use wherever you want, if you are looking for some questions to spur conversation. The other panels without numbers are song lyrics which you may or may not choose to use. If the lyrics are too small for everyone to see, try picking up a panel and walking around the circle with it.

Ready to Hatch Panels - Vertical (Recommended!)

Ready to Hatch Panels - Horizontal

 

Google Slides Presentation for Virtual Sessions

If you plan on presenting a virtual Ready to Hatch program, use this 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. 

Google Slides  with editable notes

 

Songsheet and Audio Files

During the session, ask parents to use their Songsheet 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 also. Expectant parents who have done these things is easier to repeat what you have already done than to try something new; expectant parents who have done both of these things with you in the Ready to Hatch session will be more likely to continue sharing the Hatchlings songs with their fetus and baby at home. There is also a direct link to the Webpage with the songs and rhymes.

Recordings of Hatchlings Songs and Rhymes

 

Evaluation / Survey

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 me at betsydc@gmail.com

Evaluation Survey QR Codes Handout as a Word Document

Program Evaluation PDF for printing and filling out on-site

 

Hatchlings Headlines

As you begin your session, tell parents that they don’t need to take notes because they will be getting a “Hatchlings Headlines” 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! 

 

Following 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!

 

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

 

Advertising

Editable Flyer (Spanish)

This link will open a PDF document (Note: The Maryland State Library logo needs to be updated and the MSDE logo needs to be added.) 

This link will open a PDF document

Sample flyers from other libraries (do not use these - the QR codes are not up to date)

 This link will open a PDF document

This link will open a PDF document

 

During the Session

Consent Form

Consent Form (Spanish)

Consent Form as a Word Doc for Editing

 

Songsheet

Songsheet

 

PowerPoint (PDF)

Click here for a downloadable Google Slides Presentation

Notes and script for powerpoint slides

 

Hatchlings Headlines (PowerPoint handout for parents)

Evaluation / Survey

Evaluation Survey as an editable document  (for adding your logo & your community partner’s logo only)

This link will open a PDF document

 

Here is a Sample of an editable Word Document with the QR codes, that shows how your logo and that of your community partner can be added. Feel free to download, click on “enable editing”, make your changes, save to your files, and print! Note that these are OLD QR codes and they will also need to be updated.

Sample Word Doc with QR codes and multiple logos

 

To use Google Slides or Google Docs:

1. Click on the link
2. Go to FILE and click on MAKE A COPY
3. Choose "Entire Presentation" or "Selected Files"
4. Select a place on your Google Drive to save the copy.
5. Feel free to edit and it will not change the original.

 

To view the Hatchlings: In the Nest page, click here.