During their studies, librarians trained in the youth services field will probably have had exposure to the materials, skills, and theory necessary to perform a Mother Goose program for infants. A standard review of the literature, perhaps starting with the materials listed in the bibliography of this site, will help reinforce previous study and experience and will focus the librarian on issues specific to library programming for infants.

In Books, Babies, and Libraries, Ellin Greene summarizes some of the abilities needed by librarians who work with babies, skills necessary for a librarian conducting a Mother Goose program:

"Effective service to early childhood requires librarians to be familiar with the behavior characteristics of very young children, theories of early learning, and the implications of both for service. Library service to early childhood crosses age specialty lines. The children's librarian must be as willing to work with the parent or caregiver as with the child" (1991, p. 8).

Thus, the skills needed to offer a quality Mother Goose program would necessarily include the following:

1. Understanding of child development theory, especially with regard to literacy
2. Competence to choose developmentally appropriate materials for infants and appropriate supplementary materials for adults
3. Knowledge of Mother Goose rhymes, other rhymes, fingerplays, songs, and stories appropriate for infants [though, as Houlihan and Marino point out, one doesn't need a great voice or a huge repertoire to begin (1992, p. 3)]
4. Proficiency in program organization and management
5. Ability to employ appropriate evaluation techniques
6. Familiarity with parenting techniques with regard to literacy