I’ve been wanting to do a storytime about feelings for a while now. With the kids going back to school and the world turned upside down, it seemed like the time had come. There are so many great picture book options – you could probably do a theme on each feeling individually! I tried to whittle down my favorites to include in the handout.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
See another version of this theme from 2024.
Early Literacy Tip: Learning to identify and name our feelings has been shown to release chemicals in the brain that help us feel calmer and able to control negative feelings. According to research, children who understand their own and others’ feelings and learn to manage their emotions have been shown do better in their lives in several ways. These skills are important for getting along with others, staying alert and engaged in activities, and for solving problems peacefully. Books showing emotions help kids develop these skills.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: What are some different feelings? Happy, sad, angry, surprised, scared, bored, lonely, curious, confident, shy, worried, silly… How can we tell what other people are feeling? Tone of voice, the way their body is held, mostly in the face! Use Sunflower Storytime’s feeling faces and ask the kids to make their best faces for each emotion.
Action Rhyme: Feelings
Sometimes on my face you’ll see (point to face)
How I feel inside of me (Point to chest)
A smile means happy, a frown means sad (Smile, then frown)
And when I grit my teeth, I’m mad (Grit teeth and frown)
When I’m proud I beam and glow (Smile, thumbs up)
But when I’m shy, my head hangs low (Bow head)
Credit: Karen Folk. 1001 Rhymes and Fingerplays, via Sunflower Storytimes
Read: Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
Flannel Song: Five in the Bed
There were five in a bed, and the little one said (5 fingers up)
“Roll over, roll over” (make rolling motion)
And they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in a bed… (continue down to one)
There was one in the bed and the little one said,
(tune of He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands)
“Ahhhhhhhh. I’ve got the whole bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole wide bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole bed to myself,
I’ve got the whole bed to myself! Goodnight!”
Credit: traditional
[My friend Rebecca at Oconee County Library cued me in to connecting the songs Five in the Bed and He’s Got the Whole World; I think it’s a brilliant mashup! I made my own copy of Five in the Bed flannel using inspiration from Adventures in Storytime for the faces and Making Learning Fun for the bed. The faces flip to show their sleeping and surprised faces (the little one starts out grumpy)]
Read: Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban & Henry Cole
Ukulele Song: Take a Breath (The Self-Reg Song)
When I’m not doing fine, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath or two
When I want to feel well, I can be still
I can take a breath or two
Breathing in, Breathing out, Breathing in, Breathing out
When I am still, I can be fine, Breathing in and out
Additional verses:
…I can sing a song or two…
…I can move my arms around…
Last verse:
To change how I feel, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath – I can hum a song – I can move my arms –
And feel all right.
Credit: Raffi, from the album Dog on the Floor
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!
Finger Rhyme: Five Little Frogs
(hold each finger in turn, starting with the thumb)
Five little frogs standing in a row
This little frog stubbed his toe
This little frog said, “Oh, Oh, Oh!”
This little frog laughed and was glad
This little frog cried and was sad
This little frog, so thoughtful and good,
Ran for the doctor as fast as he could
Credit: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library
Read: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Song: If You’re Happy and You Know it
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!)
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray
Additional verses:
If you’re grumpy and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re sad and you know it have a cry (boo hoo)…
If you’re silly and you know it wave your arms…
If you’re surprised and you know it shout “oh my!”…
If you’re scared and you know it, cover your eyes…
Credit: Traditional
Craft: Paper Plate Faces
from the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide
This activity is a great way to talk about feelings, as well as working on fine motor skills. Use paper plates to make faces by JUST drawing the EYES and NOSE (hair, ears, and eyeglasses optional!) Use the longer pipe cleaner pieces to make different mouth expressions on the paper plate, and the shorter pieces to make eyebrows if desired. Lead your child with questions like “Can you make a happy face with the pipe cleaner?” and “What would the face look like with an angry expression?” OR, let your child decide what emotion to create, then talk about what they made.
Suggested Activity: Play with blocks the way Taylor does in The Rabbit Listened. Blocks have many benefits to early learning, such as matching, counting, sorting, and even gravity, balance, and geometry.
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 8/11/20.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 