bells – Storytime with Ms. Emily Library

I’m slowly adding my backlog of Book Babies plans, so here’s what we did in the month of May, 2023. I do the same themeless plan a month at a time, to get the caregivers familiar and comfortable with the songs and rhymes. I usually switch to a different prop each month, and change out songs and rhymes a few at a time, so there are always a few familiars in the lineup.

The books featured in the photos below are just some of the board books made available for individual reading.

See all the Book Babies plans here.

Early Literacy Tip: The use of small percussion instruments such as bells, rhythm sticks, shakers, and drums helps children with muscular development and coordination.

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.

Photo showing Book Babies setup, with a round white parachute spread on a purple rug, with purple chairs to either side. A board book is set on each wedge, and a small pink chair sits at the head, with a dog puppet on the chair and a frog stuffy laying on the parachute. An easel to the side of the chair has song lyrics on it.

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

Body Song: I Wake Up My Hands
I wake up my hands with a Clap, clap, clap,
Clap, clap, clap, Clap, clap, clap,
I wake up my hands with a clap, clap, clap,
And I wiggle my wiggles away!

Feet…stomp, stomp, stomp
Belly…beep, beep, beep
Body…wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
Source: Jbrary

Fingerplay Rhyme: Little Gnome
Up to the doorway (finger walks up arm)
Comes a little gnome (tickle neck)
Knock, knock! (gently “knock” top of head)
Ding, dong! (tap nose)
Anybody home? (finger to chin, can pull down to open mouth)
Source: Sing, Rhyme and Play with Ms. Christina

Bounce Song: Ride, Baby, Ride
Ride, baby, ride, Cha-cha, cha-cha, cha-cha
Ride that horsey ride
Ride, baby, ride, Cha-cha, cha-cha, cha-cha
Ride that horsey ride (repeat, whispering)
Whooooaaaa!
Source: Jbrary

Lifting Rhyme: Grand Old Duke of York
The grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men
He marched them up to the top of the hill
And he marched them down again!
And when you’re up, you’re up
And when you’re down, you’re down
And when you’re only half-way uuuuup…
You’re neither up nor down!
Source: traditional

After some bouncing and lifting, we slow it down a bit with a lullaby. I remind grownups that rocking and holding your baby while singing is a great way to calm them, even if it’s not bedtime.
Ukulele Lullaby: I See the Moon
(tune of Hush Little Baby)
I see the moon and the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love

Over the mountain, over the sea
Back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love!
Source: Jbrary

Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon

Thumbnail of I See the Moon ukulele chord sheet

I place a book on each wedge on the parachute , so I encourage grownups to take a few minutes to grab a book that is nearby and looks interesting, and to interact with the book however they’d like with their baby. They can read the text, but they don’t have to – they can describe the pictures, colors, or even just let their baby practice turning pages. We generally do this for 2-3 minutes, or until the group as a whole seems to be nearing a stopping point.
Read: choose a board book that’s nearby and looks interesting to you!

Pictured:
Library Babies – Puck & Violet Lemay
In My Heart – Mackenzie Porter & Jenny Løvlie
Leo, Sleep Tight! – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson

Tickle Song: Spots, Spots, Spots
(tune of the baseball organ build up)
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
A leopard has lots of spots, What a lot of spots he’s got!
A tiger’s stripes are always nice, But a leopard has lots of…
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
(tickle, tickle, tickle!)
Source: Jbrary

Prop Songs & Rhymes
Each month is a new prop. This month we got out the jingle bells! This was a lot of fun and the babies really liked the jingle noise. I did try to emphasize that there was a possibility that a bell piece could come loose and be a choking hazard, to try to keep grownups on the lookout. I did see bells go in mouths, so I am not sure if I would do bells for this group again. I wonder if there are infant-safe bells out there.

Bell Song: Are You Sleeping?
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping? (keep bells quiet)
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing (ring bells)
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong
(try substituting your child’s name for “Brother John”)
Source: traditional

This is a good one for demonstrating a steady beat.
Bell Rhyme: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
1 – 2 – 3 – 4, Jingle at the cottage door
5 – 6 – 7 – 8, Jingle at the cottage gate
Source: Kathy Reid-Naiman

Bell Song: Ice Cream Truck
(tune of Do You Know the Muffin Man)
Do you see the ice cream truck?
The ice cream truck, The ice cream truck?
Do you see the ice cream truck?
It’s driving down the street!

The bells go ring-a-ling-a-ling…
Source: adapted from the traditional

Bell Song: Shake Your Bell In the Air
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Shake your bell in the air, in the air
Shake your bell in the air, in the air
Shake your bell in the air and hold it right there
Shake your bell in the air, in the air

…on the side… as you smile really wide
…way down low… then wave and say hello
Source: Jbrary

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:
This Is the Way a Baby Rides – Susan Meyers & Hiroe Nakata
Leo Loves Baby Time – Anna McQuinn & Ruth Hearson
This Little Piggy – Tim Harrington
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? – Bill Martin, Jr. & Eric Carle
My Very First Mother Goose – Iona Opie & Rosemary Wells

This storytime was presented in-person on 5/1, 5/8, & 5/15/23.

Storytime Handout:

handout with suggested books, rhyme and song lyrics

What is seasonal, non-holiday, interactive, and… loud? Jingle bells! We have a set of jingle bell bracelets in our storytime supply closet that I don’t get out very regularly, and I thought they would make a great December program focus. I had them planned for the second week of December, but then had to schedule some surgery. I needed to be off work for the month, so I moved this program up to the last week of November and canceled the rest. I’m glad I did get to do it – we had a lot of fun jingle jangling away!

You can see a shortened virtual version of this program here.

Early Literacy Tip: Like a muscle, the brain needs to work to grow. Playing an instrument stimulates the brain, which can accelerate development in toddlers. Studies have shown that playing music activates the areas of the brain responsible for language, speech and reading.

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 & cheeks.

Lifting Rhyme: Toast in the Toaster* (TT) (FT)

Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big* (FT)

Intro: Today we are going to make lots of music with our Jingle Jam. We’ll play instruments and dance and sing. Let’s first loosen up a little and start to jam with our bodies. Let’s pretend we are in a parade!

This is a super fun rhyme. We did it a couple of times. The source link doesn’t have a video, so if you’d like to see/hear me doing it, click the link above to the virtual version.
Action Rhyme: The Parade (TT) (TB) (FT)
Clap your hands! (clap, clap, clap)
Stamp your feet! (stomp, stomp, stomp)
The parade is coming down the street
Bum, bum, bum: a great big drum
Root-a-toot: a horn and flute
Bang, bang, bang: Cymbals clang
Ding-ding-ding: triangles ring
Clap your hands! (clap, clap, clap)
Stamp your feet! (stomp, stomp, stomp)
The parade is coming down the street
Source: King County (WA) Library System

Transition: If You’re Ready for a Story* (TT) (TB) (FT)

One of the moms quietly said all the words of this along with me – apparently it’s one of their at-home favorites that they do over and over. So sweet! Despite the Santa-like hats the animals are wearing, this book doesn’t have any references to holidays, just snow and sleighs. It’s a great one for the youngest groups. I used a jingle bell to accompany me whenever I said “jingle.”
Read: Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee (TT) (FT)

This is a very interactive book if you encourage the group to do the instruments with you.
Read: Play This Book by Jessica Young & Daniel Wiseman (TB)

Before we get our instruments out, let’s exercise our hands with a fingerplay.
Fingerplay: Five Plump Peas (TT) (TB) (FT)
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

Time to get out the bells! Our bells look like this, with four large bells attached to a velcroed wrist band.

Jingle bell instruments: four silver bells are attached to a nylon wristband that can velcro together. Shown in green and red.

Let’s practice our bells with this rhyme.
Bell Rhyme: Jingle Bells UP (TT) (TB) (FT)
Jingle bells up, Jingle bells down
Jingle bells 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: adapted from the traditional Tommy Thumbs rhyme

I had this as an “optional” song on my plan, but when the time came I could not remember the tune! I have since remembered – I know it’s a common tune but I can’t place it. I just now recorded myself singing it to a voice memo for future reference!
I also can’t figure out where I first got this. Google searches aren’t helping, so maybe I made it up? (If you know the tune or source, please let me know!)
Bell Song: Ring Those Bells
Ring those bells and tap your toes
Ring those bells and tap your toes
Ring those bells and tap your toes
Now give a little kiss, kiss, kiss!

Additional verses:
…and clap, clap, clap … Give a little hug, hug, hug
…and shake, shake, shake … Give a little wave, wave, wave
Source: ??

It actually worked out to skip the previous song, since putting our bells to bed in Jingle Bells UP was a perfect segue to this song. We started with our bells quiet in bed (tucked under our arm) then got them out to ring loudly starting with the “Morning bells” line. On the second time through, I encouraged everyone to sing their child’s name instead of “Brother John” – so I saing “Sister Emily.”
Bell Song: Are You Sleeping? (TT) (TB) (FT)
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping? (keep bells quiet)
Brother John, Brother John,
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing (ring bells)
Ding ding dong, ding ding dong
(try substituting your child’s name for “Brother John”)
Source: traditional

This is a lovely jazzy tune that I found on a video with some other jingle songs.
Oh, my! My bells turned into a jingle bug! Yours did, too! Here’s a song about the jingle bugs.
Bell Song: Jingle Bug (TT) (TB) (FT)
Some bugs wiggle, Some bugs creep
Some bugs jump to a jingling beat
Jingle bug just wants to play
What will your bug do today?

She’s gonna wiggle to the left and wiggle to the right
Wiggle way up high and wiggle out of sight (hide behind back)
Where’s that Jingle Bug you say?
Sneaking softly back out to play! (try to bring out bell without ringing)

Additional verses:
She’s gonna creep to the left and creep to the right…
She’s gonna jump to the left and jump to the right…
Source: Clap for Classics

Dancing with our bells to a recorded song. I always put out a list of the dances so we know which ones come next.
One last chance to jam!
Recorded Song: List of Dances (TT) (TB) (FT)
Source: Jim Gill From the Album “Jim Gill Makes It Noisy In Boise, Idaho”

Action Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!* (TT) (TB) (FT)

Craft: Jingle Bell Bracelets and Dot Painting Coloring Sheets (TB) (FT)
I couldn’t think of any better craft than to give the kids jingle bells of their own. At the same time, though, I could see that these bells could be a choking hazard. I said and put up warnings for grown-ups to always be supervising when playing with bells, and offered some dot painting for an extra or alternative craft. For the bells, I bought some multicolored 15 mm bells, and provided chenille stems for them to string onto to create a bracelet. The coloring sheet I chose is from the wonderful Elizabeth Dulemba, who I love and use her coloring pages regularly.

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 Sounds Around Town – Maria Carluccio
Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! – Wynton Marsalis & Paul Rogers
Music Class Today – David Weinstone & Vin Vogel
The Composer Is Dead – Lemony Snicket, Nathaniel Stookey & Carson Ellis
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin – Lloyd Moss & Marjorie Priceman
A Neighborhood Walk, a Musical Journey – Pilar Winter Hill & Olivia Duchess
The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom – Colleen AF Venable & Lian Cho
This Magical Musical Night – Rhonda Gowler Greene & James Rey Sanchez
Pokko and the Drum – Matthew Forsythe
A Is for Oboe – Lera Auerbach, Marilyn Nelson, Paul Hoppe

This storytime was presented in-person on 11/27, 11/28, & 11/29/23.

Storytime Handout:

*Lyrics to these songs can be found on the Repeated Songs & Rhymes page.

**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

Tag: bells

Book Babies Storytime (May)

Storytime: Jingle Jam