I’m not sure what sparked this theme – I think I was pondering that so many of our rhymes and songs feature opposites, and I found and loved the book Up, Up, Up, Down. Then it just all came together. This is the last of my Baby and Toddler themes for spring. During the summer, it seemed like the fairytale theme worked better with longer books, so they were all preschool oriented. I did try to offer bounces and motion alternatives for younger kids during that time. I probably should start alternating again! When I planned this program in mid-May, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Helping children understand the concept of opposites helps give them more information about the world around them. They’re building background knowledge which means they’ll have better comprehension when they start learning to read independently.
Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello
Action Rhyme: Roly Poly
(Roll hands and change voice to coordinate with the lyrics)
Roly poly, roly, poly, up, up, up (arms up, voice higher)
Roly poly, roly, poly, down, down, down (arms down, voice low)
Roly poly, roly, poly, out, out, out (arms far from chest, voice expansive)
Roly poly, roly, poly, in, in, in (arms close to chest, voice and lips collapsed)
Roly poly, roly, poly, BIG, BIG, BIG (large movements, voice loud)
Roly poly, roly, poly, very, very small (roll only index fingers, voice quiet)
Roly poly, roly, poly, fast, fast, fast, fast, fast! (roll quickly, voice frenetic)
Rol…ly… po…ly… in… your… lap (roll very slowly, then lay hands down, speak in slow motion)
Credit: Rebecca Jane Flanagan
Action Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big
This is big, big, big (hold arms out to side)
This is small, small, small (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short (flat hand lowers)
This is tall, tall, tall (flat hand reaches up)
This is fast, fast, fast (circle fists quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow (circle fists slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes (nod head)
This is no, no, no (shake head)
Credit: Mel’s Desk
Read: Up, Up, Up, Down by Kimberly Gee
Lifting Song: The Elevator Song
Oh, the city is great and the city is grand!
There’s a whole lot of people
On a little piece of land
And we live way up on the 57th floor
And this is what we do when we go out the door:
We take the elevator up and the elevator down,
Take the elevator up, take the elevator down
Take the elevator up and the elevator down
And we turn around.
Credit: Jbrary
Earlier in the spring, we talked about how caregivers could make a simple shaker at home using rice or beans in a closable container their child could grip (mine is a 4 oz plastic food container secured with tape). I always say that even if you don’t have a shaker, you can participate by getting out your “magic shaker” – an invisible shaker you can shake and make noise with a “cha-cha” sound.
Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We Stop
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
and we shake and we shake and we STOP
Additional verses:
We circle…
We tap…
We roll…
Credit: Jbrary
Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake it here, shake it there
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake your shakers
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake it yes, shake it no
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake your shakers
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shaker on the ground
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shakers
Shake it near and shake it far
Drive your shaker like a car
Shake it near and shake it far
Shake your shaker
Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake it stop, shake it go
Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake your shaker
Credit: Jbrary
Read: Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup
Tickle song: Spots, Spots, Spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
A leopard has lots of spots
What a lot of spots he got
A tiger’s stripes are always nice
But a leopard has lots of spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
Credit: Jbrary
Ukulele Song: Shake My Sillies Out
I gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!
Additional verses:
I gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out…
I gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out…
I gotta stretch, stretch, stretch my stretchies out…
I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out…
Credit: Raffi (from the album Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!
Activity Suggestion: Opposites Scavenger Hunt
Spend some time this week searching for and pointing out opposites with your child in your everyday life. Remember to look for things that can be felt (rough/smooth, soft/hard, wet/dry) as well as those that can be seen (tall/short, round/square, black/white). Explore movement opposites with our rhymes or a game of your own (fast/slow, loose/rigid, over/under, in front/behind.)
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 5/19/20.
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 