Usually the songs and rhymes that I plan for my Toddler Time (ages 1-2) and my Teddy Bear (ages 2-3.5) sessions are very similar, with just two or three different extension activities that differ between the two. Family Time (ages 0-3.5) is usually a judgement call between the two plans based on the ages that show up. However, because of the books I chose to read, the two plans for this storytime were quite different!
I also was in love with the craft for this week – and I got gasps from the crowd when I revealed my sample both days! It was very simple, but made a BIG impact.
Early Literacy Tip: Children love to talk about how “big” they are. While they’re smaller than many people and things they interact with, they find joy in being bigger than younger siblings or a pet. Their learning and understanding of big and small are important for math readiness as it lays the foundation for understanding and comparing sizes. It sets them up to learn the concepts of less vs. more, smaller than vs. larger than, and equal to. Additionally, the frequent use of vocabulary like “large” and “small,” “big” and “little” helps increase your children’s spatial language.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was arms and chins.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
We just had to do this one! Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Intro: Let’s talk about size. What is big? [spread arms out!] What is little? [pinch fingers together] Can we practice?
I’ve done this one with bubbles, but not with balls. The flannel is super simple, and we do the rhyme three times, then say I have one more to add, now let’s count, and it makes an even 10. Flannel Rhyme: Little Ball, Big Ball (TT) (TB) (FT) A little ball (make a circle with your fingers) A bigger ball (make a larger circle with your hands) A great big ball I see (make a large circle with your arms) Can you count the [yellow] balls? 1 – 2 – 3 (make 3 circles again) Source: Jen in the Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is a board book, and I *still* skipped some pages for the wiggly toddler time group! Read: Big Little by Leslie Patricelli (TT)
Classic storytime book. I got some raised eyebrows and nervous titters from grownups when the squid’s tentacles are hanging out of the whale’s mouth, but everyone liked the twist! Read: I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry (TB) (FT)
The next four activities were only for Toddler Time, then the next two were just for Teddy Bears and Family Time.
I pointed out that we’re doing a small, medium, and large sized jumping animal to reinforce our theme for this one. Bounce: Grasshopper (TT) There was a little grasshopper Always on the jump Because they never looked ahead They always went BUMP! (tilt to side, drop between knees, or lift) Repeat with bunny, kangaroo Source: Storytime in the Stacks
Action Rhyme: Tall as a Tree (TT) Tall as a tree (arms over head) Wide as a house (arms out to the side) Thin as a pin (arms straight down by side) And small as a mouse (crouch low) Source: Dogeared Storytime
The little Folkmanis mouse finger puppet is the cutest, so it’s always exciting to find a new use for her! Story Rhyme: Little Mousie Brown (TT) (Index finger is mouse, opposite arm is candlestick) Up the tall white candlestick Went little Mousie Brown But when she got up to the top She could not get back down She called for Mama, “Mama, Mama!” But Mama was in town So she called for daddy, “Daddy, Daddy!” But Daddy wasn’t around So little Mousie curled right up And rolled right down! Source: Jbrary
Mousie Brown is the cutest
Rhythm Rhyme: The Elephant (TT) (stomp feet rhythmically) Right foot, left foot see me go I am grey and big and slow I come walking down the street With my trunk and my four big feet (extend arms in front of face, trumpet like an elephant!) Source: King County (WA) Library System
We did this one every week last summer as part of the Oceans of Possiblities theme, and it was nice to revisit it. Action Song: A Big Sea Star (TB) (FT) (tune of A Ram Sam Sam) A big sea star, a big sea star (stretch arms & legs out) Little cuddle clam (hug yourself and get small) and a big sea star (x2)
A pufferfish! (big breath and blow out) A pufferfish! Little cuddle clam and a big sea star (x2) Source: Jbrary
Action Song: Slippery Fish (TB) (FT) Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water, Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp! Oh, no! It’s been eaten by …
A jellyfish, a jellyfish, floating in the water … An octopus, an octopus, squiggling in the water … A mako shark, a mako shark, lurking in the water … Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water… Gulp, Gulp, Gulp – BURP! Excuse me! Source: Jbrary
I didn’t use the white and pink “tuna fish” this time
Parachute Intro: Let’s get out our biggest prop, the parachute! Let’s practice by lifting it up and down, shaking fast and slow. (TT) (TB) (FT)
Parachute Song: Very, Very Tall (TT) (TB) (FT) I’m very, very tall (reach up high) I’m very, very small (reach down low) Tall! Small! Now I’m a little ball (curl up) Source: Old Town School of Folk Music, from the album Wiggleworms
I mean, I guess it’s big… Parachute Song: London Bridge (TT) (TB) (FT) London bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down London bridge is falling down, My fair lady.
Build it up with sticks and stones… Source: traditional
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly tune of Skip to My Lou Up, up, up it goes Down, down, down so low Raise our parachute to the sky… Count to 3 and watch it fly! Spoken: Up on 1… Down on 2… Up on 3, and Fly! (adults release while you gather up the ‘chute) Source: Gymboree
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Giant Squid (TB) (FT) As I said, this was a craft that inspired gasps of delight when revealed, but the elements are really quite simple. I freehand drew a squid’s head on our largest size of blue construction paper (12″ x 18″) and asked a volunteer to trace and cut those out. I also drew large white circles for the eyes and a smile mouth on white construction paper – them being a little wonky really added to the fun look. We had small dark blue stickers for the pupils (black would have worked, too, but I used what I found), and I pre-cut lengths of blue crepe paper streamers for the tentacles. I put out glue sticks, tape, and staplers and let everyone choose what worked well for them, and we ended up with adorable giant squids that in most cases were bigger than the children that made them! I was inspired by a picture I saw on Pinterest from the Share and Remember blog.
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) I’m Not Small – Nina Crews Tiny Little Fly – Michael Rosen & Kevin Waldron Who’s the Biggest? – Delphine Chedru Marta! Big & Small – Jen Arena & Angela Dominguez Big and Small and In-Between – Carter Higgins & Daniel Miyares Jump! – Scott M. Fischer Little Mouse – Alison Murray You Are (Not) Small – Anna Kang & Christopher Weyant The Crayola Comparing Sizes Book – Jodie Shepherd What Will Fit? – Grace Lin Big and Small with Northwest Coast Native Art – NativeNorthwest.com
This storytime was presented in-person on 3/6, 3/7, & 3/8/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Doing a storytime about shadows is fun and exciting. It’s also a bit logistically difficult. I think I’ve seen others do this theme around Groundhog Day, but I hadn’t actually made that connection in my mind when I scheduled this for late February. I’d done this theme once before, pre-pandemic, and at that time I brought in one of those heavy-duty work lights with the halogen bulbs that have lots of scary warning stickers on them. For several of our rhymes and songs, we’re making motions and looking for our shadows to imitate us. Back then, I was able to put that big light toward the back of the room to shine on the group and project our shadows on the front wall, but I had a lot fewer kids attending then, and their grownups were more fastidious about keeping them within arms length. This time around, the only good place to put it was front and center, and I now have a larger and more mobile group. I just didn’t feel comfortable with that setup. I had a desk lamp I was able to use for my shadow theater, but it wasn’t a good fit for the wider room. A coworker let me borrow her ring light, but the light was too diffused to throw much of a shadow. Instead, we made do. I had a few flashlights, and when I lowered the main lights, there were still some can lights on the ceiling that stayed on and we were able to throw some shadows on the floor.
All that to say – it was still totally worthwhile to do, even with all the technical difficulties! Just lowering lights in storytime is fun and exciting, and a shadow made with a handheld flashlight still demonstrates the science, even if not everyone can see their distinct shadow at the same time.
Early Literacy Tip: Sharing nonfiction titles, even in an abbreviated way, helps introduce your child to new concepts, vocabulary, and general knowledge of the world around them. You can look at the pictures and read captions or paraphrase the “big ideas” of a book to create an age-appropriate experience with a factual book on a subject like shadows.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was knees and noses.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Intro: Today we’re talking about shadows! A shadow is a dark spot that is made when light shines past something solid, like us! Let’s make some shadows on the walls. I’m going to lower the overhead lights and turn on this bright light behind us. Can you see our shadow on the wall? [This ended up being floor!]
I usually use this rhyme as a “filler,” but since it makes some nice big movements, it was a good option to do and see our shadow selves doing as well. Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Read: Share individual pages fromWhat Makes Shadow by Clyde Robert Bulla & June Otani. This is where I shared our literacy tip.
Let’s try this rhyme and see what our shadows do. Action Rhyme: My Shadow Movements (TT) (TB) (FT) If I walk, my shadow walks If I run, my shadow runs And when I stand still, as you can see My shadow stands beside me When I hop, my shadow hops When I jump, my shadow jumps And when I sit still, as you can see My shadow sits beside me Source: Johnson County (Kansas) Library (link no longer functional)
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Instead of reading a book here, I performed the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff using shadow puppets. I just improvised the traditional story on memory, but the novelty of the shadow theater was riveting for the little ones and I highly recommend trying this sometime! I found a puppet and scenery template for this story at this website and increased the size to fit about 11×17 inches, which fit nicely on the box I used. I liked this story because it only had four characters, and only two were “onstage” at one time, so I felt like I could handle that by myself pretty easily. I watched this Hallmark Channel video as a guide to how to make the theater (the side hole for manipulating the puppets is really helpful.)I didn’t make the box look super nice or fancy, but sketched a little theater outline on the outside with the help of a ruler. You can’t actually see it when it’s dark and the play is going on, so you really don’t need to do that. If you do need a script, there are lots of versions out there, in picture book form as well as by searching for “Billy Goats Gruff Script.” Shadow Theater: The Three Billy Goats Gruff (TT) (TB) (FT)
Let’s try to retell that story with this rhythm rhyme! We didn’t use rhythm sticks, but patted our laps and did the hand motions option from Jbrary. Story Rhyme: Billy Goats Trip Trap (TT) (TB) (FT) Trip, trap, trip, trap, Across the bridge they come Trip, trap, trip, trap, Crossing one by one Trip, trap, trip, trap, Baby takes a stroll Trip, trap, trip, trap, Over the sleeping troll Trip, trap, trip, trap, Louder taps I hear Trip, trap, trip, trap, Middle goat is near Trip, trap, trip, trap, Stomps the biggest goat Trip, trap, trip, trap, Troll goes in the moat! Source: Jbrary(see motions there)
Action Rhyme: Shadow, Shadow (TB) Shadow, shadow turn around Shadow, shadow touch the ground Shadow, shadow dance on your toes Shadow, shadow touch your nose Shadow, shadow jump up now Shadow, shadow take a bow Shadow, shadow stomp your feet Shadow, shadow take your seat. Source: Storytimes and More
You can use pretty much any clip art here, I was inspired by Sunflower Storytime (website now unavailable) and Storytimes and More (link below). I found several of the same images they used. I laminated my printout and also a black piece of cardstock, then cut both out together to make the image and the art. Most are fairly easy, and the kids were excited to tell me each object until the last one, the sandwich on the plate, which was a difficult one. I got some good guesses, like a boat, but they laughed to see the actual picture. Flannelboard Game: Guess That Shadow (TB) (FT) I’m a shadow, look at me Guess whose shadow I might be! Source: Sunflower Storytime and Storytimes and More
I wanted them to have the opportunity to try puppet theater, so I made some spider puppets (a die cut spider on a craft stick) and we did the Itsy Bitsy Spider, using our opposite arm as the water spout. With all the lighting issues, only my shadow really made it on the wall, but we sang through it twice and I told them this will look amazing on their bedroom wall tonight with their grownup helping with a flashlight. They all loved that they were allowed to take their spiders home. Fingerplay: The Itsy Bitsy Spider (TT) (TB) (FT) The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out! Out came the sun and dried up all the rain And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again Source: traditional
I didn’t actually play this for any of the storytime sessions, we just ran too long. But it’s a good one if you do have time. Ukulele Song: Mr. Sun Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Hiding behind a tree
These little children are asking you To please come out so we can play with you
Another optional activity, which I didn’t use (or even plan to use), but I did include on my handout, is the classic Sesame Street video of Grover and his Furry Little Shadow. Video: My Furry Little Shadow Source: Sesame Street
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Shadow Tracing (TB) (FT) I encouraged grownups to use their phone’s flashlight feature or one of my traditional flashlights (I had about four available) to cast a shadow on a piece of paper using one of our farm animal toys or plastic trucks, then the kids could trace the shadow. ALTERNATELY, since I understand that this is on the higher skill spectrum for this age, they could just draw and color whatever they wanted. I had about half and half, so it was good to have both options out there. No original picture for this one, just a borrowed one from the site that inspired the idea, the Dad Lab.
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Shadows – April Pulley Sayre & Harvey Stevenson The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Jerry Pinkney I Love My Shadow – Hans Wilhelm Groundhug Day – Anne Marie Pace & Christopher Denise Shadow – Suzy Lee Groundhog’s Runaway Shadow – David Biedrzycki Footprints and Shadows – Ann Dodd & Henri Sorensen Maisy Goes Camping – Lucy Cousins Moonbear’s Shadow – Frank Asch The Night World – Mordicai Gerstein Shadows and Reflections – Tana Hoban
This storytime was presented in-person on 2/20, 2/21, & 2/22/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Instead of a Valentine’s theme, I wanted to do a program on loving and appreciating ourselves this February. I learned some new songs and my groups did a lot of self-hugs.
This is a topic near and dear to me, and in one of my asides, I noted to the group that kids generally do a pretty good job loving themselves, but it’s a harder task for us grown-ups. I reminded them that finding ways to be loving and compassionate to ourselves as adults sends a great message to our kids that our bodies don’t have to look a certain way for us to appreciate them, and we can celebrate our smarts, our creativity, our problem-solving, our kindness as well as our bodies and all the amazing things they do for us.
Early Literacy Tip: Self-confidence is an attribute that you can teach your children as they play, learn, and read with you. Don’t forget that they pick up so many cues from us even when we’re not paying attention. Being positive about your own body and self is a great way to model it for them – both now and as they grow and change.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week it was elbows and hair!
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Intro: February is a month full of love – who are some of the people you love? Don’t forget to love YOU. You are special and there’s no one else exactly like you. Loving yourself gives you the foundation to love others.
The orginal rhyme said “my fingers can snap” but most of my kids can’t snap yet, so I changed it to wiggle! Rhyme: All of Me (TT) (TB) (FT) My hands are for clapping, My arms can hug tight My fingers can wiggle, Or turn out the light My legs are for jumping, My eyes help me see This is my body, And I love all of me! Source: Miss Sarah’s Storytime
Rhyme: Up & Down (TT) (TB) (FT) Put your arms up, Put your arms down Put them in the middle, Move them all around One arm to the left, One arm to the right Give yourself a hug, And hold on tight! Source: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
This is just a perfect book for this age. Lots of adorable kids in the illustrations, and body parts to touch and tickle. Read: I Love All of Me by Lorie Ann Grover & Carolina Búzio (TT) (FT)
I love that this one looks at the whole person. Read: Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds (TB)
Our bodies are so amazing, let’s test them out. Rhyme: Touch Your Nose (TT) (TB) (FT) Touch your nose, touch your chin, That’s the way this game begins. Touch your eyes, touch your knees, Now pretend you feel a breeze. Touch your hair, touch one ear, Touch your two cheeks right here. Touch your elbows where they bend, That’s the way this touch game ends. [I added: okay, now reach a little farther and give yourself a big hug!] Source: King County (WA) Library System
I love my body, but I also love other things about myself. Here’s some of them! The original song uses the “love” verse as a chorus and repeats it. It also is sung a little differently. I simplified by singing it the same as the other verses and used it as the last verse. Ukulele Song: I Am Kind (TT) (TB) (FT) I am kind – I’ll be your friend, will you be mine? I can share a smile, I am kind
I am brave – I do it though I feel afraid I can do the hard things, I am brave
I am wise – Solving problems that arise Finding new solutions, I am wise
I am strong – I’m OK when things go wrong I know I can do it, I am strong
I am love – I wrap my arms around myself In a great big hug, I am love! Source: Lindsay Munroe featuring Raffi, from the album I AM KIND: Songs for Unique Kids
Rhyme: Make a Heart (TT) (TB) (FT) I put my hands together, This is how I start I curve my fingers right around, And I can make a heart! Source: Verona Story Time
Shaker Rhyme: Egg Shakers Up (TT) (TB) (FT) Egg shakers up, egg shakers down Egg shakers dancing all around the town Dance them on your shoulders, Dance them on your head Dance them on your knees, And tuck them into bed! Source: Jbrary
I absolutely love this song. Gives me the feels every time. The toddlers were running out of steam, so we skipped this song for them and went straight to the hokey pokey. For everyone else, I just encouraged them to shake their shakers along with the music. Ukulele/Shaker Song: I Love My Body (TB) (FT) I love my body from my head to my toes I love my face, my eyes, my mouth, my nose I love the way I look when I look in the mirror I stand a little closer just to see a little clearer
Who is that? It’s me! And I am looking good as good can be So, what do I say? I tell myself I love me every day I hope you can, too! You’re worthy of your own love, it is true So what do we say? We tell ourselves we love us, every day! Source: Mother Moon
Shaker Song: The Hokey Pokey (TT) (TB) (FT) You put your right arm in, You take your right arm out, You put your right arm in and you shake it all about, You do the hokey pokey, and you turn yourself around That’s what it’s all about! (clap, clap) (repeat with arms, legs, head, whole self) Source: traditional
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
With one group I did this after Zoom, Zoom, Zoom and before our craft, and with the others I did it after cleaning up toys and before our Goodbye song and rhyme. I think it worked best before saying goodbye, but it worked either way! Affirmation (TT) (TB) (FT) I am KIND (hands outstretched) I am BRAVE (hands on hips) I am SMART (finger to your head) I am STRONG (arms curled up) I am LOVED (give yourself a hug) Today is an awesome day! (fist pump) Source: adapted from Miss Sarah’s Storytime
Craft: Valentine to Yourself (TB) (FT) Very simple concept and execution. Write your name on the heart. Talk with your grownup about some of the things you love about yourself, and ask them to help you write a few on your (die-cut) heart. Decorate with stickers and crayons.
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Be Who You Are – Todd Parr Bodies Are Cool – Tyler Feder I Love My Body Because – Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, & Erika Rodriguez Medina Lovely – Jess Hong I Love You, Nose! I Love You, Toes! – Linda Davick Beautifully Me – Nabela Noor & Nabi H. Ali I Am Golden – Eva Chen & Sophie Diao Who Will You Be? – Andrea Pippins From Head to Toe – Eric Carle
This storytime was presented in-person on 2/13, 2/14, & 2/15/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Who doesn’t love mooing and oinking and clucking and neighing? Farm animals are a theme with so many options and resources – the hard part is choosing which songs, rhymes, activities, and books to present!
Although I only read Farmyard Beat in the Toddler Time session, I decided to do rhythm sticks as our prop this week in all the classes. I didn’t find a great transition as to how it related to the farm, but this was a new prop and the kids were all excited to try them out regardless of the theme.
Early Literacy Tip: Imitating animal noises is a great way for kids to practice making language sounds and developing sound meaning. Animal sounds also help children hear the smaller sounds in words, which is good for when they are starting to sound out words to read.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Intro: I got out the “barn” that I made from a cardboard box spray painted red. What is this? It’s a barn! Where might we see a barn? On a farm. And who lives in a barn? Farm animals!
As we sang “on that farm he had a…” I popped out an animal from the barn doors, to much delight. Puppet Song: Old MacDonald had a Farm (TT) (TB) (FT) Old MacDonald had a farm, E – I – E – I – O! And on that farm he had a dog, E – I – E – I – O! With a woof, woof here, and a woof, woof there Here a woof, there a woof, everywhere a woof, woof! Old MacDonald had a farm, E – I – E – I – O! Source: traditional
One of my favorites! The graphics for the flannelboard come from the now-defunct Sunflower Storytime. Since the website is no longer available either in its original form or through the Internet Archive, I’m uploading my copy for you. Flannel/Fingerplay: Ten Fluffy Chicks (TT) (TB) (FT) Five eggs and five eggs, and that makes ten Sitting on top is Mother Hen Cackle, cackle, cackle (clap, clap, clap) What do I see? Ten fluffy chicks, as cute as can be Source: Mel’s Desk
I thought this was really fun! When I did a search for the song to get the King County link, I learned that this was a Glenn Miller song. Fingerplay: Boogie Woogie Piggy (TT) (FT) This little piggy went to market (pinky) This little piggy stayed home (ring) But this little piggy is the boogie woogie piggy (thumb, waves back and forth) and he boogie-woogied all the way home!
Oink, oink, oink, oink, oink, boogie woogie piggy (x3) (use thumb to pull up nose on the oinks, then dance that piggy!) And he boogie woogied all the way home!
This little piggy had roast beef (middle) This little piggy had none (index) But this little piggy is the boogie woogie piggy (thumb) and he boogie-woogied all the way home! (repeat Oink, oink, oink chorus) Source: King County (WA) Library System
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Read: Farmyard Beat by Lindsey Craig & Marc Brown (TT)
This was an absolute hit – the kids could finish the sentences for most of the farm noises, then I got to yell BOO! Read: Cows Go Boo! by Steve Webb & Fred Blunt (TB) (FT)
Rhythm Sticks Intro – Do you have the beat? Let’s make our own beat with rhythm sticks! (I did a little “er, this fit with the other book I read, let’s just have fun with this” in the two sessions that didn’t follow Farmyard Beat.) Practice: Lay them on your shoulders, tap fast & loud, tap soft & quiet, rub them together, roll them in a circle.
Rhythm Stick Song: Count the Beat (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of Wheels on the Bus) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8… 9… 10! Source: Sarah French
Rhythm Stick Song: This Is the Way We Tap (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush) This is the way we tap our sticks Tap our sticks, tap our sticks This is the way we tap our sticks At our storytime (repeat with different motions: rub, tap them soft, tap the floor, tap our shoes, roll our sticks, tap them loud, etc) Source: Sarah French
This was a little trickier, since they had to wait with their sticks on their shoulders until the last line, when they could do the action. I saved it for my oldest group. Rhythm Stick Song: If You Have Some Rhythm Sticks (TB) (tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb) If you have some rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks, rhythm sticks (keep sticks on shoulders until last line) If you have some rhythm sticks, You can tap them now (tap!) (repeat with different motions: rub, hammer, drum) Source: Sarah French
Recorded Song: Tap Your Sticks by Hap Palmer (TT) (TB) (FT) from the album Rhythms on Parade see the video: https://youtu.be/M-UKTeWNgOk
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Muddy Pig Painting (TB) (FT) This was another craft from the Sunflower Storytime blog (I miss it!) I printed the pig template on pink paper and asked a volunteer to cut them out. The kids glued them down, then used cotton balls to get the pig dirty with brown paint. Again, since Sunflower Storytime is no longer with us, I’m uploading the template!
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! – Candace Fleming & Lori Nichols Old MacDonald Had a Farm – Jane Cabrera Five Fuzzy Chicks – Diana Murray & Sydney Hanson On the Farm – David Elliott & Holly Meade Barnyard Banter – Denise Fleming Big Red Barn – Margaret Wise Brown & Felicia Bond Farm Lullaby – Karen Jameson & Wednesday Kirwan The Greedy Goat – Petr Horáček Color Farm – Lois Ehlert Skip to My Moo – Iza Trapani & Maddie Frost
This storytime was presented in-person on 2/6, 2/7, & 2/8/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Although I did a “snow” theme a couple of weeks ago, I still had activities and ideas I couldn’t fit into that program and which followed more of a theme of warm winter clothing.
I think I overplanned a bit for this session, and we skipped several things I had on my list, but it’s better to have too much material than too little. My third session was the one I was planning to retell Froggy Gets Dressed in, but – ironically enough – we had some snow and ice and cancelled programming that day!
Early Literacy Tip: Songs that focus on body parts increase children’s awareness of how different parts of their body can start specific movements. By using their muscles to make the motions in the song, children develop both their gross motor skills and body self-awareness.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big*
Intro: When it’s cold outside we need to dress warmly – did anyone wear their Coat today? Hat/boot/mitten/scarf/etc.
Bounce: Bumpin’ Up and Down in My Little Blue Sled (TT) (TB) Bumping up and down in my little blue sled Bumping up and down in my little blue sled Bumping up and down in my little blue sled Won’t you be my darling? (lift)
Hit a rock and we all fell over… (lean to sides) Source: adapted from the traditional
Let’s come inside to drink something hot. Ready to put the kettle on? Action Song: I’m a Little Teapot (TT) (TB) I’m a little teapot, short and stout Here is my handle (crook one hand to hip) Here is my spout (hold other hand out to side) When I get all steamed up then I shout: “Tip me over and pour me out!” (tilt body to the side of the spout) Source: traditional
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB)
I think this is more entertaining for the adults than for the kids, but it’s cute and quick and goes through several winter clothing choices. Read: Under My Hood I Have a Hat byKarla Kuskin & Fumi Kosaka (TT)
A newer book about a bundled-up turkey who gives away his warm clothes to friends on the farm. Lots of funny puns and silly illustrations! Read: Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Kirsti Call, & Chad Otis (TB)
Fingerplay: Warm Mittens (TT) (TB) I wiggle my left hand, I wiggle my right Inside of my mittens so warm and so tight I wiggle my pinkie, I wiggle my thumbs So when I make snowballs My hands don’t get numb! Source: Adventures of a Bookworm
This was one of the songs that I skipped for time purposes. Another reason is that I hadn’t really worked out what motions to pair with the song, which made it feel awkward to me. If I figure it out, I’ll gladly try again – I am a fan of the My Bonnie tune! Song: My Sweater (tune of My Bonnie) My sweater is warm and cozy My sweater is warm and dry When I play in very cold weather Oh bring me a sweater to wear Oh bring me, bring me, Oh bring me a sweater to wear, to wear Bring me, bring me, oh bring me my sweater to wear Source: Johnson County (KS) Library
This was a fun alternative to the usual tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, with a little built-in anticipation and silliness! Action Song: Hat, Coat, Pants, and Boots (TT) (TB) (tune of London Bridge) Hat, coat, pants, and boots (touch head, shoulders, knees, and toes) Pants and boots, Pants and boots Hat, coat, pants, and boots Mittens… (wiggle hands) Earmuffs! (hands over ears) (repeat, changing the last item to other clothing or accessories, including silly ones – scarf, glasses, bow tie, umbrella, etc) Source: adapted from Storytime Secrets
This probably should have been done earlier, maybe before the book – it didn’t flow very well in this spot. Bounce: Baby’s in a Bundle (TT) Baby’s in a bundle Baby’s very warm Baby’s very happy In the snowstorm Source: Handley Regional Library System (VA)
I was pretty excited to do this one, but we ended up not having time in the Teddy Bear session, and Family Time was cancelled for weather. I printed and laminated the Froggy and clothing pieces from Kizclub.com (they have lots of great resources!). I enlarged it to fit 11×17″ instead of 8.5×11″, and that seemed like a better size for a flannel for everyone to see. After laminating, I attached velcro dots to hold the clothing in place according to the story. To help them blend in, I colored the velcro with different Sharpie markers, and was pleased at how well they are hidden. This is definitely going to come out again in the future! Retelling: Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London & Frank Remkiewicz
Ukulele Song: Fuzzy Wuzzy Blanket (TT) (TB) (tune of the Oscar Mayer jingle) Oh I wish I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket That is what I’d truly like to be ‘Cause if I were a fuzzy wuzzy blanket Everyone would snuggle up with me!
Additional verses: …fuzzy wuzzy beanie… …fuzzy wuzzy scarf… …pair of fuzzy mittens… Source: Book Besotted Librarian Blog
Craft: Warm Hat Suncatcher (TB) Inspired by this mitten project at Kinder Craze, I took a look at our library’s die cut designs and realized we had a winter hat die. This was better than mittens since I’d only have to cut out one per kid, and it would use less contact paper. I made an outline for the brim and the main body of the hat and asked volunteers to cut it out, then stuck the outline on a piece of contact paper, replacing the backing paper until we were ready to craft. I then provided tissue squares and another piece of contact paper to seal it all up. I relied on grownups to cut out the shape, punch a hole, and string some yarn through for a hanger. It was a bit more intensive craft, but everyone enjoyed piecing the tissue paper and making colorful designs for their hats.Again, our Family Time program was cancelled due to weather, so I packaged up the materials for that group and offered it in the next week as a Take and Make packet.
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) Three Little Kittens – Barbara McClintock Lost. Found. – Marsha Diane Arnold & Matthew Cordell Extra Yarn – Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen A Sled for Gabo – Emma Otheguy & Ana Ramírez González Not Now, Cow – Tammi Sauer & Troy Cummings A Hat for Minerva Louise – Janet Morgan Stoeke Winter Babies – Kathryn O Galbraith & Adela Pons Winter is the Warmest Season – Lauren Stringer Sweater Weather – Matt Phelan
This storytime was presented in-person on 1/23 & 1/24/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Oof, it’s been awhile… (Cue the Critical Role crew) It’s been a busy couple of weeks, but I’ll catch up!
I’d done a version of a “Favorites” theme before as a virtual-only program, and transforming it into something that worked for live in-person sessions wasn’t too difficult, but took a little thought. For one, I had a lot of favorite songs and rhymes I wanted to incorporate, more than before. I also was worried about the “voting” aspect – with quite a few kids, I didn’t want to have votes for several different things and then I would have to choose anyway.
So instead, I decided to incorporate an element of chance with a foam six-sided die. I split my favorite rhyme and song selections into groups of six. They seemed to naturally fall into groups of fingerplays, action songs, some scarf songs, and ukulele songs. I added a couple here or there, took a few off the list, and that was it for the planning. For books, I looked at my Goodreads to find my top rated picture books from the last couple of years. It was remarkably quick to plan. (Proponents of themeless storytimes may be thinking – “That’s what I do every week!”)
There was an element of visuals that took a little more work. I always print out the words to our songs and rhymes on an 11×17″ sheet and flip them as we move through storytime. For visual interest, I include a little icon or picture on almost every page. To help make the selections, I printed and laminated the icon from all the songs to put up on the board under the numbers 1-6. That way the group (and I) had a visual cue as to which song corresponded with each die roll. My stack of song sheets was a lot larger than usual, but it worked just fine.
This was a lot of fun. My songs consisted of some favorites that everyone knew – Two Little Blackbirds, I’m a Little Teapot, Wheels on the Bus – but I also explained that some of them were favorites of mine that they may not have heard before. Some just never fit with my previous themes. That mix of familiar and unfamiliar seemed to add some excitement.
Early Literacy Tip: Talking with your children, especially as you share books, is one of the best ways to develop your children’s vocabulary. In books they see things they might not otherwise see, like different kinds of animals. Take advantage of expanding their vocabulary by talking with them about the pictures in books.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week was elbows and ears.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Intro: Today I wanted to do some of my favorite storytime songs, rhymes and books. Some might be new to you, but some might be your favorites, too! I have so many favorites, I picked too many, so we are going to get some help in what we do today!
For each group of songs, I put up the icons and said the titles. If I got a lot of “Little Teapot!” just from that, I’d make that one of our choices. Otherwise, we rolled the foam die to decide (no repeats!) Fingerplay: Let the dice or popular consensus choose 2 from list: 1. Five Plump Peas (FT) 2. Two Little Blackbirds 3. I’m a Little Teapot (TT) (TB) 4. Slowly, Slowly 5. Hickory Dickory Dock (TT) 6. Here is the Beehive (TB) (FT)
Five Plump Peas Five plump peas in a peapod pressed (make a fist and cover with the other hand) One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest (raise all fingers on first hand one by one) they grew, and they grew, and they grew, and never stopped (hands get wider and wider) They grew SO BIG that the peapod… POPPED! (hands spread as wide as possible, then CLAP!) Source: Jbrary
Two Little Blackbirds Two little blackbirds (pointer fingers up) Sitting on a hill One named Jack (wiggle one finger) One named Jill (wiggle the other finger) Fly away, Jack (first finger hides behind back) Fly away, Jill (second finger hides behind back) Come back, Jack (first finger returns) Come back, Jill (second finger returns) Source: traditional
I’m a Little Teapot I’m a little teapot, Short and stout Here is my handle (crook one hand to hip) Here is my spout (hold other hand out to side) When I get all steamed up then I shout: “Tip me over and pour me out!” (tilt body to the side of the spout) Source: traditional
Slowly, Slowly (fist with thumb sticking out is “snail,” which crawls slowly up one arm, then the other) Slowly, slowly, very slowly creeps the garden snail Slowly, slowly, very slowly up the garden rail
(fingers wiggle up one arm then the other quickly, then tickle under the chin) Quickly, quickly, very quickly runs the little mouse Quickly, quickly very quickly ‘Round about the house Source: Jbrary
Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory, dickory dock The mouse ran up the clock (fingers scurry up arm) The clock struck one (pause and clap once) The mouse ran down (fingers scurry down arm) Hickory dickory dock
…2, the mouse said, “boo!” (hands splay out) …3, the mouse said, “whee!” (arms go wide) …4, the mouse said, “no more!” (shake finger) Source: Jbrary
Here is the Beehive Here is the beehive (make fist) But where are all the bees? Hidden away where nobody sees Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (open fingers) They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! (tickle) Source: Jbrary
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
For each group, I gave them a choice between two of the four that I chose for the week, and they voted. Of the four, only Mel Fell was not chosen. All were fun, but I think Animals Go Vroom! got the best response! Read: Animals Go Vroom! by Abi Cushman (TT) Read: Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, Raúl the Third, Elaine Bay (TB) Read: Just In Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano & Christian Robinson (FT) Read: Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Action Song: Let the dice or popular consensus choose 2 from list: 1. All the Fish (TT) 2. The Old Gray Cat (FT) 3. Five Coyotes 4. Hippopotamus on the City Bus (FT) 5. My Dog Rags (TB) 6. Bananas Unite! (TT) (TB)
All the Fish All the fish are swimming in the water (hands zig zag in front) Swimming in the water, Swimming in the water All the fish are swimming in the water Bubble, bubble, bubble, …SPLASH! (both hands corkscrew upwards, then clap together)
All the ducks are quacking… (hand opens and closes like a duck) All the frogs are jumping… (jump!) All the kids are splashing… (slap hands downward as if splashing) Source: Caspar Babypants, from the album I Found You
The Old Gray Cat The old gray cat is sleeping, Sleeping, sleeping (cradle head in hands) The old gray cat is sleeping In the house (hands join together above head)
The little mice are creeping… (tiptoe and hands “paw” forward) The little mice are nibbling… (hands come to mouth) The old gray cat is creeping… (hands “stalk” forward) The little mice are hiding… (hide face with hands) So the old gray cat is sleeping… (cradle head in hands) Source: King County (WA) Library System
Five Coyotes Five coyotes, sittin’ on a hill Just sittin’ and a howlin’ at the moon: Aahh-ooo! One coyote had his fill So he went to sleep and snoozed – Snore! (Count down) Source: adapted by Rebecca Ballard from Nancy Stewart
Hippo on the Bus (bounce or slap thighs rhythmically until the last line of each verse) A hip, a hip, a hippopotamus Got on, got on, got on a city bus And all, and all, and all the people said, “You’re squishing us!” (squish face or hug baby)
A cow, a cow, a cow got on a bus Yes, a cow, a cow, a cow got on the bus And all, and all, and all the people said, “Mooooove over!” (lean far to one side)
A snake…“Sssssssssit down!” (motion hand down or fall thru knees) A sheep…“Baaaack up!” (lean far back) Source: Jbrary
My Dog Rags I have a dog and his name is Rags He eats so much that his tummy sags (arms circle in front of tummy) His ears flip flop and his tail wig wags (flop hands up and down by ears, then wiggle bottom) And when he walks, he goes zig zag! (zig zag hands together)
(repeat motions above) He goes flip flop, wig wag, (pause) zig zag (x3) I love Rags and he loves me! (hug self) Source: Jbrary
Bananas Unite Bananas……unite! (arms meet and extend above head) Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas (x2) (one arm opens to the side, then the other) Chop bananas, chop chop bananas (x2) (one hand chops across other palm) Mash bananas, mash mash bananas (x2) (palms mash together) Eat bananas, eat, eat bananas (x2) (bring hands to mouth) Goooooooooo BANANAS! (wild arms) Source: Jbrary
These were clear favorites in every class, so we chose the same songs this grouping! Action Song 2: Let the dice or popular consensus choose 2 from list: 1. The Elevator Song 2. The Wheels on the Bus (TT) (TB) (FT) 3. A Smooth Road 4. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes 5. Tick, Tock 6. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (TT) (TB) (FT)
Elevator Song Oh, the city is great and the city is grand! There’s a whole lot of people (hands go wide) On a little piece of land (hands come together) And we live way up on the 57th floor (point up) And this is what we do when we go out the door: (point out)
(either lift baby up and down, or reach tall and crouch down) 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 (spin in a circle) Source: Jbrary
I usually only do 3 or 4 total verses for this – sometimes there are favorites so I’ll ask what else the bus does. Wheels on the Bus The wheels on the bus go Round and round, round and round, round and round (fists circle) The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town!
The wipers on the bus go Swish, swish, swish… (arms pivot back and forth) The doors on the bus Open and shut… (arms move apart and together) The horn on the bus goes Beep, beep, beep… (hand mimes pushing a button) The driver on the bus says “Move on back”… (cock thumb back to shoulder) The people on the bus go Up and down… (bounce body up and down) The baby on the bus says “Wah, wah, wah”… (fists wring at eyes) The parents on the bus say “Shh, shh, shh”… (lift forefinger to lips) Source: traditional
A Smooth Road A smooth road! (repeat x4)(slowly, and sway baby gently) A bumpy road! (x4) (a little faster, bouncing gently up and down) A rough road! (x4) (even faster, bouncing and adding erratic swaying) Oh, no! A hole! (tip over, lift up, and/or let them fall safely through your knees) Source: Jbrary
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (touch each body part as it’s mentioned) Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, Knees and toes! Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, Knees and toes Eyes and ears and a mouth and nose, Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, Knees and toes! (can repeat, singing faster) Source: traditional
Tick, Tock, Tick Tock Tick tock, tick tock (bounce or sway baby on lap) I’m a little cuckoo clock tick tock tick tock Now I’m striking one o’clock: cuckoo! (lift on each cuckoo) (repeat, counting up) Source: Jbrary
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (rhythmically slide hands past each other) Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon If you’d like to take a trip (fingers walk up opposite arm) climb aboard my rocket ship (repeat on other arm) Zoom zoom zoom, we’re going to the moon In 5…4…3…2…1…BLAST OFF! (count on hands, crouch lower and lower, then jump, or lift baby) Source: Jbrary
Scarf Songs: Let the dice or popular consensus choose 3-4 from list: 1. Jack in the Box (TT) (TB) (FT) 2. Popcorn Kernels (TT) (TB) (FT) 3. Peek a Boo 4. Shake it to the East (TB) (FT) 5. One Bright Scarf (TT) 6. Row Your Boat (TT) (TB) (FT)
Jack in the Box (scrunch scarf up in one fist) Jack in the box (shake fist in rhythm with rhyme) Sits so still Will he come out? Yes, he will! (pull scarf out from fist and wave) Source: Jbrary
Popcorn Kernels (tune of Frère Jacques) Popcorn kernels, popcorn kernels (wave scarf overhead) In the pot, in the pot (bunch up in fist) Shake them, shake them, shake them / shake them, shake them, shake them (shake fists) ‘Til they POP, ‘til they POP (toss scarves up) Source: Jbrary
Peekaboo (tune of Frère Jacques) Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo, I see you, I see you (alternately hide face and reveal with scarf) I see your button nose, I see your tiny toes (touch nose and toes) I see you! Peek-a-boo! Source: Jbrary
Shake it to the East Shake it to the east (shake scarf to one side) Shake it to the west (then to the other) Shake it all around and (shake in a circle) Then you take a rest (clasp hands, stilling scarf)
Shake your scarves up Shake your scarves down Shake it, shake it, shake it, and Then you settle down Source: Jbrary
One Bright Scarf One bright scarf waiting for the wind to blow (wave scarf) Toss it up high, and wave it down low Wiggle it fast, and wiggle it slow (hide the scarf behind back, under shirt, etc) Hey! Where did it go? (bring out) Here it is! Source: Jbrary
Row, Row, Row Your Boat Row, row, row your boat (hold both ends of scarf across body, then move forward and back like oars) Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily (wave scarf) Life is but a dream!
Rock, rock, rock your boat (rock body and move scarf up and down) Gently down the stream If you see a crocodile Don’t forget to SCREAM! (Aaah!) (wave scarf wildly)
Row, row, row your boat Gently to the shore If you see a lion there Don’t forget to ROAR! (Grrrrr!) (wave scarf while making claws) Source: traditional (mostly)
I let them keep their scarves to dance with during our last song. Ukulele/Dancing Songs: Let the dice or popular consensus choose 1 from list: 1. Mr. Sun 2. Apples & Bananas (TT) (TB) 3. Down By the Bay 4. Shake My Sillies Out (FT) 5. How Much is that Doggie in the Window? 6. You Are My Sunshine
Mr. Sun Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Hiding behind a tree These little children are asking you To please come out so we can play with you Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun Please shine down on me Source: Raffi, from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young
Apples and Bananas (begin with the correct pronunciation, then change the long vowel sounds for each verse to a, e, i, o, and u) I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
…ate ayples and ba-nay-nays …eet eeples and ba-nee-nees …ite iples and ba-ni-nis …ote oples and ba-no-nos …ute uples and ba-nu-nus Source: Raffi, from the album One Light, One Sun
Down by the Bay Down by the bay, Where the watermelons grow Back to my home, I dare not go For if I do, my mother will say: “Did you ever see a whale with a polka dot tail, Down by the bay?”
…goose kissing a moose… …fly wearing a tie… …bear combing his hair… …see llamas eating pajamas… …have a time you couldn’t make a rhyme… Source: Raffi, from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young
I decided to change “crazies” to “kookies” to help destigmatize mental health issues. 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!
I gotta clap, clap, clap my kookies 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… Source: Raffi, from the album Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band
How Much is that Doggie in the Window? How much is that doggie in the window? (Woof woof!) The one with the waggily tail? How much is that doggie in the window? (Woof woof!) I do hope that doggie’s for sale
Kitty…meow…whiskers so long Birdie… tweet tweet…flappity wings Rabbit…hop hop…hoppity legs Fishy… glub glub… swimmity fins Source: traditional
You Are My Sunshine You are my sunshine, My only sunshine You make me happy When skies are gray You’ll never know, dear, How much I love you Please don’t take My sunshine away Source: traditional
Craft: My Favorites Coloring Sheet (TB) (FT) Last week’s craft, the puffy snow paint, was pretty involved, so it was really lovely (on my end) to just print out some pages and put them out with our crayon bins. The kids didn’t complain.This is a sheet I created using Canva for the last Favorites session (at a different library), so I just reused it.You can download a copy here.
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (for this theme, just choose your favorites!) Red House, Tree House, Little Bitty Brown Mouse – Jane Godwin & Blanca Gómez Bathe the Cat – Alice B McGinty & David Roberts I Love You Because I Love You – Mượn Thị Văn & Jessica Love Off-Limits – Helen Yoon Pokko and the Drum – Matthew Forsythe You Matter – Christian Robinson Nanette’s Baguette – Mo Willems Everybody in the Red Brick Building – Anne Wynter & Oge Mora The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael López Thank You, Omu! – Oge Mora Crash, Splash, or Moo! – Bob Shea Lulil & the Language of Tea – Andrea Wang & Hyewon Yum Crown – Derrick Barnes & Gordon C. James We Sang You Home – Richard Van Camp & Julie Flett Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite – Stacey McAnulty & Edward Hemingway Vroom! – Barbara McClintock
This storytime was presented in-person on 1/16, 1/17, & 1/18/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
As mentioned in my previous post, this year I’m tweaking my age groups and looking to offer something a little different for pre-walking babies and their caregivers. Book Babies is for ages twelve months and under, with a concentration on pre-walkers (so kiddos over twelve months but still not walking are welcome, too.)
I’ve advertised this program as a themeless session, letting them know that we’ll be repeating a lot of our activities, songs, and rhymes. This lets me keep the same schedule most of the weeks, rotating out one or two songs per month and changing props when it seems like the right time to try something new. It eases the prep time for an extra program, while still allowing some flexibility. Time always seems to be a sticky point for me. I only have 20-30 minutes for this group due to back-to-back programming, so I had to take a breath and NOT include all that I wanted to.
Before splitting the under-ones from their older counterparts, I worried about using props like the parachute with runners and walkers with the crawlers, so having them on their own makes it easier to make sure no one is getting hurt. I also have limited this class to 10 babies, so it’s easier for everyone to fit on the parachute and be close to each other and their little one.
Early Literacy Tip: Let your baby take the lead when it comes to books. Even if they sit still for only a minute or two, don’t give up! Keep books a positive time, and engage them with pictures and words, even if they aren’t the words written in the book. When they get fussy or seem finished, set it aside and try again later.
Here is our room setup, with the parachute out for babies to lay on/sit on, with a few chairs for those who prefer them to the floor. My pink short chair is perfect for this – I can move easily from it to the floor if I want to demo one way or another. I wish our parachute was colorful – I think the original idea was that you can write on it. There are some names on there from years ago that are probably grown with their own children by now.
Trying a new/old welcome song! This is the one my predecessor passed on to me, that I stopped using in favor of a quicker “Hello, Friends.” With a smaller group of babies, though, I like the slower pace of this one. For this and the next song, I use puppets to greet everyone. Welcome/Puppet Song: Hello, Everybody (tune of Skip to My Lou) Hello, everybody and how are you? Hello, everybody and how are you? Hello, everybody and how are you? How are you today?
Hello, [name 1], how are you? Hello, [name 2], how are you? Hello, [name 3], how are you? How are you today?
I start this one with the same puppet as above, my floppy-eared dog, Scout. Then I’ll bring out one or two other puppets to say hello. Welcome/Puppet Song: When Animals Get Up in the Morning When dogs get up in the morning They always say hello! When dogs get up in the morning They always say hello! “Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say “Woof, woof, woof, woof,” That is what they say Source: King County (WA) Library System
This is a hit with every group I try it in, and the babies are no exception! Bounce: Toast in the Toaster I’m toast in the toaster, I’m getting very hot Tick tock, tick tock, UP I pop! Source: Jbrary
I feel that a body part song is an important part of baby programming. This one can be repeated with any body parts, and I started jotting down some different options to do each time. I’m currently doing three verses, always starting with “nose.” Body Song: Hello, Everybody, Can You Touch Your Nose? Well, hello, everybody, Can you touch your nose? Touch your nose, Touch your nose? Well, hello, everybody, Can you touch your nose? Touch…your…nose!
Other verses: Touch your toes, rub your tummy, pat your back, touch your chin, touch your ears, squeeze your knees, touch your hands, pat your head, clap your hands, tickle your neck, etc. Source: Jbrary
I learned this one as “roll it and pat it,” but I like the physicality of “stretch it” better. I found some videos by Intellidance showing some different ways of interacting with an infant for several traditional nursery rhymes, which was really great for offering different options for lap babies, laying down babies, and standing babies. Check out their channel for additional videos. Fingerplay Rhyme: Pat a Cake Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, Baker’s man Bake me a cake As fast as you can Roll it, And stretch it And mark it with a “B” (can substitute first initial and name) And put it in the oven For baby and me! Source: traditional
Let’s go on a little trip! Bounce: A Smooth Road A smooth road! (x4) (slowly, and sway baby gently back and forth) A bumpy road! (x4) (a little faster, bouncing gently up and down) A rough road! (x4) (even faster, bouncing slightly harder and adding erratic swaying) Oh, no! A hole! (tip baby over, lift up, and/or let them fall safely through your knees) Source: Jbrary
After all that excitement, let’s slow it down with a lullaby. Holding your baby close to your chest lets them hear your heartbeat, which is what they heard before they were born. It’s soothing and reminds them they are safe. Ukulele Lullaby: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond in the sky Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are Source: traditional
These first two times I read aloud to the group, but I plan to intersperse that with a couple minutes of individual reading. I may also use regular picture books in the future, but I’m starting by modelling board books. Read: choose an age-appropriate board book such as: Read, Read, Baby! by Anna W. Bardaus & Christine Grove Whose Toes Are Those? by Jabari Asim & LeUyen Pham BIG Little by Leslie Patricelli Where’s Ellie? by Salina Yoon
Are you ready for a tickle? I’m ready for a little laughing! Let’s try this rhyme about bees. Tickle Rhyme: Here Is the Beehive Here is the beehive, but where are all the bees? (make fist) Hidden away where nobody sees Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (open fingers) They’re alive! Buzz, buzz, buzz! (tickle)
Prop Songs For the first month, we’ll do the same ones, with the parachute. Later I’m thinking I’ll keep the parachute for the program setup (as a “mat” of a sort), but switch to other props like scarves and shaker eggs.
Parachute Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout Down came the rain and washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again Source: traditional
Parachute Song: Come Under My Umbrella tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie? Come under my umbrella, umbrella, umbrella (lift up) Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain (shake) With thunder and lightning, and lightning and thunder (big shakes!) Come under my umbrella, it’s starting to rain Source: King County (WA) Library System
Parachute Song: Dance Like Snowflakes tune of Frère Jacques Dance like snowflakes, dance like snowflakes In the air, in the air Whirling, twirling snowflakes Whirling, twirling snowflakes Everywhere, everywhere Source: Jbrary
Parachute Song: Parachute Fly tune of Skip to My Lou Up, up, up it goes Down, down, down so low Raise our parachute to the sky… Count to 3 and watch it fly! Spoken: Up on 1… Down on 2… Up on 3, and Fly! Source: Gymboree
To adapt this for babies, we bounce or clap rather than scraping our hands past each other, and walk fingers up and down baby’s body, arms, or legs for the “if you want to take a trip” part. Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon If you want to take a trip climb aboard my rocket ship Zoom, zoom, zoom, We’re going to the moon In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blast off! Source: Jbrary
I find it really helpful to finish with a rhyme that definitively says that storytime is over. This one is short and sweet. Goodbye Rhyme: Hands Up High Hands up high! (Put your hands in air) Now give a big sigh (sigh and bring hands down) Our storytime’s over So wave bye-bye (wave) Source: Pasadena Public Library
And that’s it! We don’t have time for free play at the end, but I encouraged grownups to take a little time in the children’s department to play and socialize together.
Suggested books are a little different on my handout since at my library board books are not able to be held if they’re checked out. My handout says: Check out our board book selections – they cannot be held or requested, so see what’s available anytime you visit the library! Here are some other titles that *can* be requested: All of Baby Nose to Toes – Victoria Adler & Hiroe Nakata Brown Baby Lullaby – Tameka Fryer Brown & AG Ford Nose to Toes, You Are Yummy! – Tim Harrington Kitty’s Cuddles – Jane Cabrera I Love You, Baby Burrito – Angela Dominguez Up, Up, Up, Down – Kimberly Gee “More More More,” Said the Baby – Vera B. Williams
This storytime was presented in-person on 1/9, 1/16, & 1/23/23.
Regular storytimes are back! After a couple week’s break over the winter holidays, we’re back for a new year, with a few tweaks to the Itty Bitty programs at my library. I took the plunge and have started a program for pre-walking babies, who had been lumped together with toddlers in the past. It’s new for me, so I spent a lot of those three weeks off (and some time earlier, too…) figuring out what and how I’ll do things differently now that the age groups I’m serving have shifted a bit.
I’ll do a separate blog post for that baby program, but shifting there also means that one of my other programs has also shifted. What used to be “Book Babies” is now “Toddler Time” serving kids ages 1-2. The other two sessions remain the same: “Teddy Bears” is ages 2-3.5, and “Family Time” still serves 0-3.5. My resolution this year was was to expand my repertoire by incorporating some new hands-on props beyond shaker eggs and scarves – instruments, rhythm sticks, ribbon bracelets, etc. I jumped in with two feet by starting with the parachute!
In the past I’d been hesitant to incorporate parachute play where we had very mobile three-year-olds in the same room as crawlers or unsteady walkers. Separating them (in most classes) means I feel better about using the parachute with both groups.
You may also notice that there aren’t a ton of activities marked (TT) – that group was super wound up this week! I didn’t do half of what I’d planned, but we got out the parachute and they enjoyed that, and they spent a little extra time during free play, so it all evened out.
This week was a very common January theme, snow. We danced like snowflakes and made a blizzard with the parachute and some cotton balls, too!
Early Literacy Tip: Seeing patterns and trying to recognize things that are alike and things that are different is a fun game for children. Such activities help them develop the mathematical concepts of patterns and relationships.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (TT) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (TT) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week was knees and cheeks.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Intro: This is the season for snow! Does anyone like to play in the snow? Let’s pretend it’s snowing right now.
Action Song: Watch the Snowflakes (TT) (TB) FT) (tune of Frère Jacques) Watch the snowflakes, Watch the snowflakes Floating down, Floating down Oh so very slowly, Oh so very slowly To the ground, To the ground (repeat: from so very high, quickly, twirly) Source: Jen in the Library
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Read: Mouse’s First Snow by Lauren Thompson & Buket Erdogan (TT) (FT)
This is such a beautiful book, with stunning crisp photographs and a very simple, lyrical text. This group was fascinated. Bonus, it’s by an Indiana author! Read: Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre (TB)
I loved that Mouse got to do lots of fun things in the snow, like sledding! Here’s a rhyme about sledding. Rhyme: Here’s a Hill (TT) Here’s a hill (tilt one arm diagonally) And here’s a hill (tilt other arm diagonally) All covered with snow (wiggle fingers downward) I’ll put on my coat, (mime putting a coat on) And jump on my sled (hold the rope of a sled) And ZOOM, down the hill I go! (clap, slide hands) Source: Storytime Katie
For this one, we really emphasized going slow at the beginning, and fast at the end. Bounce: Sledding (TT) (FT) (tune of Row Your Boat) Crunch, crunch, Crunch, crunch, crunch (sway slowly) Up the hill so slow Sliding, sliding, Sliding, sliding (bounce quickly) Down the hill we go! Source: Yogibrarian
I think it’s getting ready to snow again! Action Song: A Snowy Sky (TB) (FT) (tune of A Ram Sam Sam) A big white sky, A big white sky Snowflakes falling from a big white sky A big white sky, A big white sky Snowflakes falling from a big white sky A winter breeze – BRRR! A winter breeze – BRRR! And snowflakes falling from a big white sky! Source: Storytime in the Stacks
I see some colors through the snow. Flannel Activity: Colors in the Snow (TB) (FT) Based on this post by Abby Johnson on the ALSC Blog (and in turn, inspired by Mel’s Desk!), we looked at some colorful shapes. The idea is to lay out several shapes of one color, saying something like, “I see a white snowflake. And a white cloud. And a white rabbit. And a white pumpkin!” The kids will likely correct you that no, that is an ORANGE pumpkin, thank you very much. Then you start again with orange things, messing up at the end of each line. When all your items are out, you can say you see something that has all those colors, what could it be? A snowman! My shapes were mostly die cuts, though I did search for a few shapes online like the cat, crow, cloud, rabbit, and leaf.
I was so enamored with this snowman with his jaunty eyebrows that I copied it exactly from Storytime in the Stacks! Flannel/Puppet Rhyme: A Chubby Little Snowman (TB) (FT) A chubby little snowman Had a carrot nose Along came a bunny, And what do you suppose? That hungry little bunny, Looking for some lunch Ate that snowman’s nose, With a nibble, nibble, crunch! Source: Storytime in the Stacks
This is a very catchy tune – fair warning, it’s been stuck in my head all week! Action Song: Once there Was a Snowman (FT) Once was there was a snowman, a snowman, a snowman Once there was a snowman – Tall, tall, tall! In the sun he melted, he melted, he melted In the sun he melted – Small, small, small! Source: Jbrary
Parachute Time! We started by practicing a bit, lifting up and down, shaking fast and shaking slow
After one repetition through this song, I threw a couple of handfuls of cotton balls in the middle – fun! After a couple of songs when most of them had “jumped” off, we took a short break to collect them and throw them back in the middle. After Parachute Fly, I asked the kids to find and bring up the scattered cotton balls, which they were very happy to do. Parachute Song: Snowflake in the Sky (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of Twinkle, Twinkle) Snowflake, snowflake in the sky, Love to watch you floating by Down you fall upon the ground, Down you fall without a sound Snowflake, snowflake in the sky, Love to watch you floating by Source: Jbrary
I accidentally planned two songs that use Frère Jacques. Oops. Parachute Song: Dance Like Snowflakes (TT) (TB) (FT) (tune of Frère Jacques) Dance like snowflakes, Dance like snowflakes In the air, in the air Whirling twirling snowflakes, Whirling twirling snowflakes Everywhere, everywhere Source: Jbrary
I watched a bunch of YouTube videos of using parachutes with kids to prepare, and saw this song used by several Gymboree classes. It seems like a good one for putting the parachute away. Hopefully in time I can teach the adults to actually let go at the end – this first time took us a couple tries! Parachute Song: Parachute Fly (TT) (TB) (FT) tune of Skip to My Lou Up, up, up it goes Down, down, down so low Raise our parachute to the sky… Count to 3 and watch it fly! Spoken: Up on 1… Down on 2… Up on 3, and Fly! Source: Gymboree
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Puffy Snow Paint (TB) (FT) Sometimes it’s nice to do a messy craft – it may inspire some families to try it at home, and it might be the one chance kids from more fastidious families might have to be messy! This really cool puffy paint is easy to make, stores easily in between uses, and dries actually puffy. It’s made with equal (ish) parts foam shaving cream and white school glue. I mixed and kept it in a large zip-top bag with the air squeezed out, and it stayed good for 3 days. There was white chalk to draw with as well, and I free-hand cut out some small black circles and orange triangles in case they wanted to make snowpeople. Fun and cute!
Play Time The toddlers have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (TT) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) The Snowman Shuffle – Christianne Jones & Emma Randall In the Snow – Sharon Phillips Denslow & Nancy Tafuri Winter Is Here – Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek One Snowy Morning – Kevin Tseng & Dana Wulfekotte The Snowy Day – Ezra Jack Keats A Big Bed for Little Snow – Grace Lin In My Anaana’s Amautik – Nadia Sammurtok & Lenny Lishchenko Making a Friend – Tammi Sauer & Alison Friend Ten on the Sled – Kim Norman & Liza Woodruff Over & Under the Snow – Kate Messner & Christopher Silas Neal
This storytime was presented in-person on 1/9, 1/10, & 1/11/23.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (TT) Toddler Time, ages 1-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
I’ve been wanting to do a New Year’s program for a while, after having seen fabulous posts from other librarians like Fat Girl Reading, Librerin,Book Cart Queens, and Storytimes at the Library. I finally committed and it was tons of fun! We had a turnout of 43 kids with 32 adults, for a total of 75 – larger than any storytime I’d done before. Our library is always closed on the actual New Year’s Eve, so we celebrated the eve of the eve on December 30.
My scope was a little wider than my usual storytimes (babies and toddlers ages 0-3.5), but I still wanted this to be a “storytime” kind of program. The description let caregivers know that the program was geared to kids ages 2-6, but older and younger siblings were welcome. The registration allowed anyone 0-8 sign up, to accommodate kids who might not be developmentally in line with their actual age.
This felt like a program that I spent a lot of time preparing and thinking about – from the structure and activities, to timing and supplies – it was on my mind for at least a month and a half! It was scheduled from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, which gave me a very strict timeline in order to hit the noon countdown just right. I wanted the crafts to actually be used with the storytime, so we started with them, and I budgeted 10 minutes to get two crafts done. Definitely something I would change next time! It actually felt like I was checking people in for almost the whole 10 minutes. Thankfully, everyone was gracious. There were 5-6 families who just had infants or babies with them that forwent the crafts altogether, and everyone seemed to get at least partially done by the time we started activities.
Storytime was budgeted 15-18 minutes, then the countdown. After that, there were options for different station activities families could do, so it dispersed the crowd a bit while still allowing for engagement. I led a dance party, we had photo ops, coloring and worksheets, a scavenger hunt, and anyone who didn’t finish a craft could still do that.
I’ll definitely try this program again next year, with some lessons learned and confidence from having the experience under my belt already.
Early Literacy Tip: Connecting your child to holidays and traditions is an important part of their cultural knowledge. Using a song like Hickory Dickory Dock or Tick Tock to demonstrate the tradition of staying up until midnight forms new connections in the brain, and helps them learn to see relations that will eventually help with reading comprehension. In addition, use books to find out what other cultures do to celebrate common holidays to learn more about the world around us.
Scavenger Hunt
This activity was actually available to anyone all day long. Using Canva, I assembled twelve icons representing typical New Year’s activities and symbols and hid them all around the children’s department. There were handouts showing each picture and as kids found them they could check it off their sheet. When they found them all they got a sticker from our stash. Simple and cheap, and it was a big hit. I know a lot of libraries do scavenger hunts regularly, but ours had not. We may need to start!
As mentioned above, I had two crafts that I wanted everyone to make BEFORE we started storytime, and I gave them 10 minutes to do it. (Ha.) We made crowns with 2023 on them, and noisemakers made of paper plates and dry cereal. I tried to emphasize to adults to get the crafts functional and then let the kids decorate them in any time remaining, and I also tried to make it as easy as possible. It worked fine for the kids that were there on time, but I had a lot of stragglers who didn’t get a chance to make everything. It worked out, and I had shaker eggs available for anyone who didn’t get their noisemaker finished before we started, which alleviated any upsets. We opened the divider between our two adjacent children’s program rooms so half was used for crafts, and the other half was for storytime. It was nice to have the room for both without having to move anything during the program.
Crowns I cut large sheets of construction paper (18×24″) in half lengthwise using a zig-zag. 24 inches seemed just a little too short to fit around an average 5 year old’s head, so each crown was one full length strip stapled to a half a strip (which was pre-done, so all they needed to do was glue on their numbers and staple it to fit their child’s head.) I used all different colors and used our die-cut machine to punch out 2s, 3s, and 0s, and there were crayons for decorating. I’d considered putting out stickers, too, but I simplified.
Noisemakers I saw a Pin from Kiddie Crafts 365 for paper plate noisemakers that looked perfect for Noon Year’s Eve. I provided paper plates, dry cereal for inside, colorful strips of construction paper, crayons and lots of staplers.
Storytime
At 11:38, I gave a two-minute warning to finish up crafts, and then started our first song at 11:40. That allowed people to trickle over from the crafts area even after we started. Throughout the whole storytime, I had a countdown projected on the wall. You can make a customized countdown at timeanddate.com (the pre-made New Year’s one can’t be changed from the actual New Year’s midnight, so I couldn’t use that one.) It was extremely helpful to be able to glance up to see it at any time.
Set up w/ books and projected countdown on the left and all the props + bubble wrap squares on the right
Welcome! We are here to celebrate the new year – which year will it be? 2023! Let’s start with a little celebration song. Now, we’ll be doing some motions, but when Jim Gill sings “WAIT…” we are going to freeze. Ready?
Welcome/Recorded Song: Can’t Wait to Celebrate We clap our hands when we get together Clap our hands to celebrate We clap our hands when we get together My friends and I can hardly wait… To stamp our feet….. To wave hello….. To bounce up and down… To clap our hands… Source: Jim Gill, from the album “Irrational Anthem & More Salutes to Nonsense”
Talk: So why are we celebrating? Well, the calendar is changing from the end of one year to the next year. We should note that there are other calendars that change from one year to the next at a different time than this one – some people celebrate those new years instead of or in addition to this one! Each have special traditions that make them special. Does anyone know of a new year’s tradition? Party, fancy clothes, countdown, ball drop, fireworks, midnight kiss, auld lang syne, resolutions, good luck foods – peas, greens, cabbage, pork.
One thing people do is cheer the moment it changes from one year to another. That means staying up until midnight and watching the clock! Let’s do a song about the clock. Rhyme: Hickory Dickory Dock Hickory, dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock the clock struck one (clap once) the mouse ran down, hickory dickory dock!
…two… the mouse said, boo! …three… the mouse said, whee! …four… the mouse said, no more! Source: Jbrary
One of my favorite parts of New Year’s Eve is the dancing! There are often parties where you can dance and have a good time. Let’s read a book about dancing! I absolutely love this book – the illustrations are so fun. I was really glad that it was available as an e-book so I was able to check that out and project it on the wall so everyone could see. Since my audience skewed a little older than my usual group, I was also happy I could do a longer book like this one for them! Read: How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder
Another tradition when the new year comes is to make a lot of noise! You’ve made some beautiful noisemakers here. Let’s use them in this song! I wanted to make sure we used those noisemakers a lot during the storytime. Shaker Song: Shake it To the East Shake it to the east Shake it to the west Shake it all around and Then you take a rest
Shake your shakers up Shake your shakers down Shake it, shake it, shake it, and Then you settle down Source: Jbrary
Waiting for the countdown is making me hungry – let’s make some popcorn! Shaker Rhyme: Pop, Pop, Pop Pop, pop, pop Put the corn in the pot Pop, pop, pop Shake it ’til it’s hot Pop, pop, pop Lift the lid and what have you got? Popcorn! Source: Jbrary
Shaker Song: If You’re Ready for the New Year (tune of If You’re Happy & You Know It) If you’re ready for the New Year shake up high If you’re ready for the New Year shake up high If you’re ready for the New Year If you’re ready for the New Year If you’re ready for the New Year shake up high! (change action: wave bye-bye (to the old year), shake it fast, slow, low) Source: Book Cart Queens
At this point I only had one more song planned, and looking at my countdown I had 6 minutes to go! (I guess I went faster than I had in practice.) So I pulled out the back up book that I’d planned if my group was too young for the longer How Do You Dance. (By the way, there is a serious gap in books about the New Year – publishers, take note! The only picture books in our library were way too long (and there were very few of them), so I had to ILL a couple board book titles out of desperation. Corduroy had a slightly better story and beat out Happy New Year Spot by Eric Hill.) Read: Happy New Year, Corduroy by Don Freeman & Lisa McCue
It’s almost time for our countdown! Let’s practice with this song. It’s a take on one of our favorite storytime songs, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, but it’s the NY Edition! Lifting Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom (NY Edition) Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, The year is changing soon Zoom zoom zoom, The year is changing soon If you want to make a wish Hold it tight inside your fist Zoom zoom zoom, The year is changing soon In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year! Source: Jbrary
Countdown
So, many of the libraries who wrote up their Noon Year’s programs culminated in a balloon drop and/or confetti of some kind. I was not excited about that – messy, lots of possible failures and disappointment with a drop that didn’t work (plus our ceilings aren’t very high), as well as the potential for scared kids at popped balloons, not to mention the choking hazard balloons can be. So, brainstorming alternatives, we went with stomping bubble wrap and blowing bubbles, and the kids loved it. It’s so much less messy, still noisy but not scary, and sustains the excitement for as long as the bubble machine is going!
So after two runs through Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, we had three minutes left on the countdown, which was perfect. I handed out a square of bubble wrap to each kiddo (with help from some of the grown-ups!) and got us in place, watching the clock. With a minute and a half, we went into one of my backup noisemaker songs, We Wiggle and We Wiggle and We Stop, to fill the last few seconds of time. Which… took us up to 5 seconds (I must have forgotten to look up often enough!) but that was fine! We counted down 5 seconds, then jumped and stomped and chased bubbles while shouting Happy New Year! I started my Noon Year playlist on Spotify, which starts with Caspar Babypants’ Days Gone By (which is basically Auld Lang Syne). It’s kind of long and slow, so I was able to turn the volume down after we’d had a few minutes of bubbles and announce to everyone what would be happening next.
Stations
So after the countdown, we had a few things that families could do.
Dance Party I stayed in the storytime area and hosted a dance party! I had extra shakers and scarves available to use throughout. My playlist was mostly kids movement songs, but I sprinkled in a couple grooving pop hits as well. As you see, Can’t Wait to Celebrate and Days Gone By were both on the playlist, so the dance party started with Pop, Pop, Pop, and I kept the bubble machine going through that one before putting it away. The total music time was a little over 30 minutes, but I actually skipped a couple songs and ended with the Baby Bear Waltz at 12:25. I only had two die-hard families that stuck it out with me the whole time, but we had fun! The others petered out maybe halfway through.
Photo Booth Families could snap a photo for the new year, using props if they wanted. I used black butcher paper to make the backdrop, with a purchased Happy New Year banner and some gold glittery shapes (I was slightly worried they’d get pulled down, but they were intact at the end!) I printed the year and our library logo, plus a little “tag us” hashtag for social media purposes. A colleague was available to help take pictures (and oversee that end of the room since I was busy dancing!) The props were a purchase from Etsy seller GlitterInkDesigns, and I was really happy with them. There were a TON of options (like, 55?) in the printable, and there were lots that had nothing to do with drinking. The photo booth props I saw at Party City were almost all about being drunk and champagne toasts (fine for an adult party, but not so great for my purposes.)
Make a Wish Wall “What is your wish for 2023?” We had post it notes and pens available to see what kids wanted in the year ahead. I started us off with “Walks in the park” and “Time for reading.” After the program, we moved the sign and existing notes to a window right by our children’s door, and have had lots of wishes added!
Some of my favorites include “that dinosaurs would come back,” “I could get another german shepard,” “get better at bike without training wheels,” “[scribbles] learn to write my numbers [in an adult hand],” and “for chocolate chips.”
Year in Review and Coloring Sheets It seems a little silly for little kids to make New Year’s resolutions, but I really liked the idea of a “Year in Review” sheet that they and their grownups could fill out. It includes some “resolution-y” kinds of things like what/where they would like to “learn,” “go,” or “try” in the new year but the emphasis is not on improvement. I also had a coloring sheet on the back of my usual take-home page that includes book suggestions, song, and rhyme lyrics. Of course, all the craft materials were still out on this side of the rooms, so kids could finish or start their crafts if they hadn’t already.
As mentioned above, there’s a serious dearth of books available on New Year’s. When I started thinking outside the box, to dancing and celebrations/parties, I had a lot more options. Here are other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) ABC Dance – Sabrina Moyle & Eunice Moyle The More the Merrier – David Martin & Raissa Figueroa Night Before New Year’s – Natasha Wing & Amy Wummer Baby Party – Rebecca O’Connell & Susie Poole If You Give a Pig a Party – Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond Everybunny Dance! – Ellie Sandall Where is Bina Bear? – Mike Curato How Do You Wokka-Wokka? – Elizabeth Bluemle & Randy Cecil Hilda Must Be Dancing – Karma Wilson & Suzanne Watts Duck Sock Hop – Jane Kohuth & Jane Porter
This storytime was presented in-person on 12/30/22.
Everyone loves cookies, right? I did this theme for the first time before starting this blog, but even so, I made a lot of changes to my old plan for this year. I looked for more activities to suit the age I work with now, and replaced an extensive prop story use of the “Ten Little…” song melody that I’d used before I knew better. I think this is a better mix. I also had a fairly different plan for the younger Book Babies program than the one for the older Teddy Bears (Family time skewed younger, so I used the same plan as BB), with a different slate of songs and rhymes in addition to the books.
To be honest, the actual programs went a little haywire – I had a couple of kids/families that were pretty wired up and I felt off my game. That happens. I generally either plow on or just cut short what I’m doing in favor of going to either the next song with movement or finishing up with Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, always our last song. That didn’t really help this time! What kinds of strategies do you use when kiddos are extra wiggly and distracted?
Early Literacy Tip: Showing a child how to follow a recipe not only introduces print in a new way, but also develops early math skills through measuring. It also teaches the ability to follow directions. For babies, set out a small tub filled with uncooked beans or rice. Give them a scoop and let them play while you’re in the kitchen.
Welcome Song: Hello, Friends* (BB) (TB) (FT)**
Warm Up Song: Wake Up, Feet* (BB) (TB) (FT) This is a repeated song that everyone seems to enjoy. I always begin and end with feet and tummies, but find two other body parts to wiggle in the middle. This week was shoulders and fingers.
Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (BB) (FT)
Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)
Intro: Mmm, today I’m in the mood for cookies! Let’s make some cookies together.
Rhyme: Pat a Cake (Cookie Style) (BB) (FT) Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker’s man (clap hands together) Bake me a cookie as fast as you can Roll it (roll hands) And pat it (pat lap) And mark it with a “C” (draw a C in the air or on baby’s belly) And put it in the oven for you and me! (point) Source: adapted from the traditional
Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (BB) (TB) (FT)
Read: Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington (BB) (FT)
I love this book, but it didn’t really work well for my group. This was the EXTRA wiggly group, so that may have been a factor, but I did notice with this retelling that it seemed a missed opportunity that “but the Cow loves cookies” was not consistently repeated after everygrouping. The repetition of the other animals made the book drag a little, too. The lilting rhymes help, but I think this is better for a little older kids. Read: The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson & Marcellus Hall (TB)
Tickle: Round and Round the Batter Bowl (BB) (FT) Round and round the batter bowl (circle on baby’s belly) One, two, three! (gentle poke on each number) A little here, a little there (touch both cheeks) As tasty as can be! (tickle or nibble belly!) Source: Storytime in the Stacks
I did this and Here’s a Cup for all three programs, but for Teddy Bears we did them before our book. Rhyme: Making Cookies (BB) (TB) (FT) (mime each action unless otherwise indicated) I am making cookie dough (point to self) Round and round the beaters go (roll hands) Add some flour from a cup Stir and mix the batter up Roll them, cut them nice and neat Put them on a cookie sheet Bake them, count them, 1, 2, 3 (count with fingers) Then serve them to my friends for tea! Source: Jen in the Library
The arms on my Scaredy Squirrel puppet that I usually use as my “little one” when I demonstrate rhymes are not long enough for this to work! I asked a grownup to help me demonstrate, then we did the rhyme twice more. Fingerplay: Here’s a Cup (BB) (TB) (FT) Here’s a cup, and here’s a cup, And here’s a pot of tea Pour a cup, and pour a cup, And drink some tea with me Source: Jbrary
Even though I didn’t read The Cow Loves Cookies for these sessions, I used my cow puppet to gobble up all the cookies. Click the source link to get Jessica’s template for the sugar cookie flannel!(I made six cookies, but only used five for this group) Puppet/Flannel Rhyme: Down Around the Corner (BB) (FT) Down around the corner at the bakery store Were five sugar cookies with frosting galore! Along came a cow looking for a treat… She saw those cookies and she took one to eat! (count down) Source: Storytime in the Stacks
So this is the song I adapted to replace the “Ten Little” melody. In the past I had a flannel oven, cookie sheet, and 10 cookies that a volunteer helped me make at my old library and followed the prop story from One Little Librarian (the blog is now not available to the public). I had left the flannel at that library and didn’t make a replacement, so this was just an action song for us. BUT, I did have laminated cookies for all the kids that I gave out during the “cool the cookies” verse that they fed to Cookie Monster later in the session. Action Song: This Is the Way We Make Cookies (TB) (tune of Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush) This is the way we pour the flour, Pour the flour, pour the flour This is the way we pour the flour To make our cookie treats
Additonal verses: Now we cream the butter & sugar… This is the way we stir the dough… Bake the dough… Cool the cookies… Eat the cookies… Source: original
You know who else loves to eat cookies? Cookie monster! This was made with a fairly high resolution picture of Cookie Monster, printed on cardstock and laminated, then attached to an empty tissue box covered in blue paper. Song: C is for Cookie (TB) C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me C is for cookie, That’s good enough for me Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie – Starts with C! Source: Sesame Street, From the Album “Sesame Street Platinum All-Time Favorites”
After this rhyme, the kids took their paper cookies and fed them to Cookie Monster. Action Rhyme: Cookies Up (TB) Cookies up! Cookies down! Hold your cookie & turn around Cookies up! Cookies down! Wave your cookies all around Source: adapted from One Little Librarian
I wanted to make this a little longer, so made up the second and third verses. I’m particularly proud of the “mustachy” couplet! I asked everyone to join in on the echoes, and either raise their hands or do a lift there. Ukulele Song: I Wish I Were a Little Cookie Crumb (BB) (TB) (FT) (tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It) Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!) Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!) I’d go crumby, crumby, crumby Over everybody’s tummy Oh, I wish I were a little cookie crumb (cookie crumb!)
Additional verses: Oh, I wish I were a little chocolate chip (chocolate chip!)… I’d be melty and sweet And leave chocolate in your teeth…
Oh, I wish I were a cold glass of milk (glass of milk!)… I’d go splishy splishy splashy And leave you a cute mustachy… Source: verse 1, North Mankato Taylor Library (MN), verses 2 & 3, original
One last song for the babies! Let’s wash up our faces from all the messy cookie crumbs! Body Song: Eyes, Nose, Cheeky, Cheeky, Chin Eyes, nose cheeky cheeky chin Eyes, nose cheeky cheeky chin Eyes, nose cheeky cheeky chin Cheeky cheeky chin, nose, eyes Source: King County (WA) Library System
Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (BB) (TB) (FT)
Craft: Cookie Design Craft We had giant cookies that could be decorated with crayons and adhesive foam shapes, mounted on another sheet of construction paper. I encouraged the kids to think about what flavor their cookie might have, and if they had a special name for their recipe.
Play Time The babies have two laundry baskets of baby toys – rattles and cars, sorters and stackers, toy phones and spinners. For the older kids, I have foam blocks, soft food toys, puzzles, and a few other items that are a little more sophisticated than the baby toys. For Family Time, I gauge the overall age of the group and put out what seems right for them. We play for 5-10 minutes at the most, then I ring the bell and ask the kids to help me clean up. I think the clean up bit is good practice for them!
Goodbye Song: See You Later Alligator* (BB) (TB) (FT)
Goodbye Rhyme: Tickle the Stars* (BB) (TB) (FT)
Other books I had available for families to browse (and may work for you on this theme) The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? – Mo Willems Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? – George Shannon & Julie Paschkis Baker Baker Cookie Maker – Linda Hayward & Tom Brannon If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond May I Please Have a Cookie? – Jennifer E. Morris Gingerbread Baby – Jan Brett Good Night, Knight – Betsy Lewin The Cookie Fiasco – Dan Santat Stop and Smell the Cookies – Gibson Frazier & Micah Player
This storytime was presented in-person on 12/12, 12/13, & 12/14/22.
**These symbols indicate the program sessions I used the activities for: (BB) Book Babies, ages 0-2 (TB) Teddy Bears, ages 2-3.5 (FT) Family Time, ages 0-3.5
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 