Tag: preschool

Preschool Storytime: Friends of All Kinds

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I just realized that I published another “Friends” theme last week, but it was actually presented four months ago in April! This week I wanted to focus on friendship and appreciating our friends even when they are different than us. I know that my friends share their experiences with me, and I get to learn more about the world we all live in.
For this theme, I used the familiar Thumbkin fingerplay, but with a variation that I first came up with for a Thanksgiving theme in November. I had a brainstorm to work in some ASL and avoid that pesky middle finger by doing thumbkin, pointer, pinky, then all three for the sign “I love you.” When we did it in person in November it was really cute to see the kids figure out the sign and at the very end the hands “hug” each other.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: When you ask your children questions, give them extra time to think and to answer you. Talking back and forth uses four different parts of the brain, so it takes them some time to form their responses.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Fingerplay: Where Are Three Friends?
(variation of Where Is Thumbkin)
Where is Thumbkin, where is Thumbkin?
Here I am! Here I am!
How are you today, Friend?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away, run away.

(repeat with pointer, pinky, then all three)
Where are three friends, Where are three friends?
Here we are! Here we are!
How are you today, Friends?
Very well, we thank you.
I love you, I love you. (Hands “hug” by clasping)
Credit: adapted from the traditional, last verse by me

Lyrics to Where are Three Friends with silhouettes of two hands with thumbs up and two hands showing the ASL "I Love You" sign.
The rhyme sheet I used when we were in person.

Read: Seagull & Sea Dragon by Sydni Gregg

Song: Put Your Puppet On Your Heart
(tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It)
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.
Put your puppet on your heart, What a lovely way to start!
Put your puppet on your heart, On your heart.

Additional verses:
…on your knee… You’ll both be filled with glee…
…on your toes… Now move it to your nose…
…on your head… Put your puppet straight to bed…
Give your puppet a big hug…make them snug as a bug in a rug!
Credit: Jbrary

Action Song: Let’s Be Friends
(tune of London Bridge)
Let’s be friends with one another, one another, one another
Let’s be friends with one another
Let’s be friends today

You can sing with a friend…
(repeat with other actions such as jump, clap, dance, etc)
Credit: Step by Step Childcare

Read: My New Friend Is So Fun! by Mo Willems

Friends like to play games together. Look – Elephant and Piggie are going to play Hide and Seek! I rewrote the rhyme to go with this set to one that just flowed more naturally for me.
Flannel Rhyme: Elephant and Piggie Hiding Game
Piggie is hiding; let’s take a look
Are you behind the red book?
Credit: Literary Hoots for concept and printable files, Ms. Emily for the rhyme

Photo of laminated pieces: six books (blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, and red), and Mo Willems' characters Elephant Gerald and Piggie.
“We are in a book!”

Fingerplay: Two Little Friends
Two little friends are better than one, (raise two fingers on one hand, one on the other)
And three are better than two (raise one additional finger on both hands)
And four are much better still (raise one last finger on the first hand to make four)
Just think! What four little friends can do! (wiggle four fingers)
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo

One thing that friends do is have love and kindness for each other.
Fingerplay: Make a Heart
I put my hands together (hands palm-to-palm)
This is how I start
I curve my fingers right around (curl fingertips)
And I can make a heart!
Credit: Verona Story Time

Song: Skinnamarink
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!

I love you in the morning
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening
underneath the moon.

Skinnamarinky-dinky-dink, Skinnamarinky-doo
I love you!
Credit: Traditional. Find hand motions at this video from Jbrary

Craft: Friendship Chains
Decorate multicolored people figures and connect them with paper hearts.
Credit: Storytime Mellie

Photo of three generic construction paper people figures of different skin tones, each colored with unique clothes and hair, connected at the arms with two hearts.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/25/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Friends

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was a bit of a miscellany of a theme, but all three books did, indeed, feature friends. Rhymes and songs were loosely associated, but overall it flowed well. This was the last storytime I did on Facebook live before re-recording a permanent version for YouTube, so there is no video. Throughout these virtual storytimes, I encouraged parents to create their own props using household materials. Shakers can be made from rice or beans inside small plastic food containers, sippy cups with holes taped closed, leftover plastic Easter eggs, even cardboard tubes with the ends secured. I always mention before shaker songs that if you don’t have one handy, a “magic shaker” can be used by making the shaking motion and “ch-ch-cha”ing along. With everyone staying safer at home, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets at that time. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Action Rhyme: Roly Poly
(Roll hands and change voice to coordinate with the lyrics)
Roly poly, roly, poly, up, up, up (arms up, voice higher)
Roly poly, roly, poly, down, down, down (arms down, voice low)
Roly poly, roly, poly, out, out, out (arms far from chest, voice expansive)
Roly poly, roly, poly, in, in, in (arms close to chest, voice and lips collapsed)
Roly poly, roly, poly, BIG, BIG, BIG (large movements, voice loud)
Roly poly, roly, poly, very, very small (roll only index fingers, voice quiet)
Roly poly, roly, poly, fast, fast, fast, fast, fast! (roll quickly, voice frenetic)
Rol…ly… po…ly… in… your… lap (roll very slowly, then lay hands down, speak in slow motion)
Credit: Rebecca Jane Flanagan

Read: Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris & LeUyen Pham

A song for quarantine. This one was suggested on Storytime Underground for virtual storytimes. The original goes “I am here and you are here.” You can also add motions to extend the song.
Action Song: I Am Here and You Are There
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.

Repeat, clapping hands throughout verse 2
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet throughout verse 3
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we’re going to have some fun.
I’m going to clap my hands.
I’m going to stamp my feet.
I’m going to nod my head.

Repeat, clapping hands AND stomping feet AND nodding head throughout verse 4
I am here and you are there but we are all together.
I am here and you are there and we have had some fun!
Credit: King County Library System

Fingerplay: Dance Your Fingers Up
Dance your fingers up, dance your fingers down
Dance them to the side and dance them all around.
Dance them on our shoulders, dance them on your head.
Dance them on your tummy, and put them all to bed!
Credit: King County Library System

Read: The Doghouse by Jan Thomas

Flannel Game: Little Mouse
Little Mouse, little Mouse,
Are you in the red house?

Picture of flannel pieces for the hide-and-seek game Little Mouse. Includes 7 houses of varying colors and sizes and one mouse small enough to hide behind any of them.

Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
And we shake and we shake and we STOP

Additional verses:
We circle and circle and STOP… (draw a circle with shaker)
We tap and we tap and we STOP… (tap on different body parts)
We roll and we roll and we STOP… (roll arms)
Credit: Jbrary

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!
Credit: Jbrary (see video for motions)

Read: The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog by Mo Willems

Fingerplay: 5 Little Hot Dogs
Five little hot dogs (wiggle 5 fingers on one hand)
frying in a pan, (other hand flat as a pan, 5 fingers wiggle above it)
The grease got hot (rub hands together)
and one went BAM! (1 finger up, then CLAP on “bam”)

(Count down, then last verse:)
No little hot dogs frying in a pan
The grease got hot and the pan went BAM!
Credit: Jbrary

Activity Suggestion: Draw a picture of YOUR favorite food. Or, draw a picture of your favorite meal that you eat this week, or make a food journal and draw a picture of each night’s dinner. Do as much or as little as you like. Here are my favorites, a strawberry and a blueberry!

Line drawing of a strawberry and a blueberry on lined notebook paper.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 4/28/20.

Preschool Storytime: Summertime Fun

Posted on by msemilylibrary

The first inkling of this storytime theme came from a desire to use the book Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall. It’s a gorgeous book with a lovely story about everyday fear and courage at a public pool. As I was researching other books to use with a “Summer” theme, I saw several that had to do with pools, vacations, visiting relatives, selling lemonade etc. All things that kids right now cannot do due to public places being closed and the need to stay safer at home. I decided that I really wanted to highlight the summer fun that can be had even with lockdowns and quarantine. I will definitely return to Jabari Jumps another time, but for now I focused on popsicles, hiking/camping, and firefly watching.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Our fingerplay and craft activities encourage your children to use finger motions of different kinds, grasping, and gripping muscles. These motions help them later when they are learning to write.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

What’s something that makes you think it’s summer? It’s hot! What makes it hot? The sun!
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
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun
Please shine down on me
Credit: Raffi (from the album Singable Songs for the Very Young)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Action Rhyme: Big Round Sun
Big round sun in the summer sky (arms rounded up high)
Waved to a cloud that was passing by (wave)
The little cloud laughed as it started to rain (fingers wave down)
And out came the big round sun again. (arms rounded high)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

One thing I like to do when it’s hot outside is have a popsicle! This book talks about paletas – that’s popsicles in Spanish.

Read: What Can You Do With a Paleta?/¿Qué Puedes Hacer Con una Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla & Magaly Morales

I sang this one instead of using the recording, so I could do the different flavors (I think the official song only does lime, grape, and rainbow.) I did the first verse as a setup, then only repeated the second part for each flavor.
Flannel Song: I’m Eating a Popsicle
In the summer when it’s really hot,
I want something that will hit the spot
Well it’s not a pickle & I’m not very fickle
All I want is an ice cold popsicle!

I’m eating a grape popsicle,
I’m eating a grape popsicle
Slurp, slurp, slurp, (slurp, slurp, slurp)
Yum, yum, yum (yum, yum, yum)
Now stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
Stick out your tongue: egh, egh, egh
What color is your tongue when you’re done?
(repeat with: lime, cherry, orange, lemon, blueberry, rainbow)
Credit: Jodi Koplin’s Jigglejam (from the album Jumpin’ Bean)

Flannel of a girl with afro puff hair and 7 popsicles: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and rainbow striped. There is a matching removable tongue to go with each flavor.
My cute popsicle girl!

In the summer we can also go camping or on a nature hike. Or on a boat like a canoe or a rowboat.

Bounce Song: Rowin’ Down the River
(tune of Bumpin’ Up & Down in My Little Red Wagon)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe (bounce or row)
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Rowin’ down the river in my little green canoe
Won’t you be my darlin’?

Additional verses:
Lookin’ out for rocks… (shade eyes)
Wavin’ to a turtle… (wave)
Don’t stand up or you might tip over… (lean left and right)
Credit: Ms. Emily Library, adapted from Mel’s Desk

Read: Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell & Lizzy Rockwell

Fingerplay: Here is the Camper
Here is the camper (Hold up finger)
Here is the tent (Bend fingers of other hand over like tent)
They crawl inside on a summer night (Finger goes under hand)
Fireflies flicker in a friendly way (Fists opening out rapidly)
All is calm ’til the light of day. (Head on folded hands)
Credit: Sturgis Kids Wiki

Something special we enjoy in Indiana, perhaps even in your backyard: fireflies (or lightning bugs)! Did you know that the Say’s Firefly is the Indiana State Insect?

Fingerplay: Two Little Fireflies
Two little fireflies shining in the sky,
One shined low and one shined high.
Fly away low, Fly away high.
Come back low, Come back high.

Two little fireflies shining in the grass,
One shined slow and one shined fast.
Fly away slow, Fly away fast.
Come back slow, Come back fast.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Two paper fireflies attached to popsicle sticks.
Firefly puppets made with art shared by the Indiana Firefly Award 2019 Program Guide

Read: Firefly Home by Jane Clarke & Britta Teckentrup

Song: Twinkle, Twinkle Firefly
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, How I watch you in the night.
I see you sparkle, I see you shine, I hold you in these hands of mine.
Twinkle, twinkle firefly, A world of wonder flashing by.
Credit: Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide

Craft: Firefly Suncatcher. Use contact paper and tissue paper squares to make a firefly suncatcher. (or mooncatcher?) From I Heart Arts N Crafts via the Indiana Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide.

Craft depicting fireflies with black heads and wings and yellow and green thoraces made from tissue paper and clear contact paper.
Image credit to Jackie at I Heart Arts N Crafts

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video. Each corresponds to one of the themes above. Let’s Go Hiking was actually written by a local author who is also one of my storytime moms!
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews
Let’s Go Hiking by Caitlin Taylor
Among a Thousand Fireflies by Helen Frost & Rick Lieder

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/18/20.

Storytime Handout:

Preschool Storytime: Silly Stories

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was one of my last storytimes that I did before we had access to the library building again, so I used books I had in my house as well as ones I had asked my director to pull for me. This storytime and the ones that came before it in lockdown were a bit of a mishmash of what I had on hand and a “theme” I could connect them with. These three books were just silly, so that became the theme! As with all the other storytimes done when the library was closed, we were not offering Take and Make packets or handouts.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Helping your children associate books and reading with something enjoyable and positive is supporting print motivation, a child’s interest in and enjoyment of books and reading. Researchers have noted that children who have enjoyable experiences around books are more likely to stick with learning to read even if it difficult.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Action Rhyme: The Colors I See
Red, red is the color I see
If you’re wearing red then show it to me!
Stand up, take a bow, turn around
Then sit back down right on the ground!
Repeat with any colors – don’t forget black, white, and brown!
Credit: King County Library System

Flannel Game: Little Mouse
Little Mouse, Little Mouse,
Are you in the red house?

Flannel set with seven houses of varying colors and sizes and one small mouse

Read: Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea & Zachariah Ohora

Bouncing Song: Baby, Put Your Pants On
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3

Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull ’em up tight.
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull ’em up tight.

Other verses: shirt, socks, shoes, hat
Credit: Jbrary

Fingerplay: Two Little Friends
Two little friends are better than one (two fingers on one hand, one finger on the other)
And three are better than two
And four are much better still –
Just think! What four little friends can do!
List activities that four friends can do together.
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime by Bob Shea

Ukulele Song: Shake My Sillies Out
I gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!

Additional verses:
I gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out…
I gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out…
I gotta stretch, stretch, stretch my stretchies out…
I gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out…
Credit: Raffi (from the album Raffi in Concert with the Rise and Shine Band)
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Activity Suggestion: Paper Plate Doughnuts. Make your own doughnuts like the ones in Who Wet My Pants? with paper plates. Decorate the outside with the icing and sprinkles you like, and ask a grownup to help cut out a hole in the middle. If you make multiples, you can use them for a ring toss game!

paper plate doughnut craft

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 5/12/20.

Preschool Storytime: My Many Feelings

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’ve been wanting to do a storytime about feelings for a while now. With the kids going back to school and the world turned upside down, it seemed like the time had come. There are so many great picture book options – you could probably do a theme on each feeling individually! I tried to whittle down my favorites to include in the handout.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

See another version of this theme from 2024.

Early Literacy Tip:  Learning to identify and name our feelings has been shown to release chemicals in the brain that help us feel calmer and able to control negative feelings. According to research, children who understand their own and others’ feelings and learn to manage their emotions have been shown do better in their lives in several ways. These skills are important for getting along with others, staying alert and engaged in activities, and for solving problems peacefully. Books showing emotions help kids develop these skills.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Discussion: What are some different feelings? Happy, sad, angry, surprised, scared, bored, lonely, curious, confident, shy, worried, silly… How can we tell what other people are feeling? Tone of voice, the way their body is held, mostly in the face! Use Sunflower Storytime’s feeling faces and ask the kids to make their best faces for each emotion.

Action Rhyme: Feelings
Sometimes on my face you’ll see (point to face)
How I feel inside of me (Point to chest)
A smile means happy, a frown means sad (Smile, then frown)
And when I grit my teeth, I’m mad (Grit teeth and frown)
When I’m proud I beam and glow (Smile, thumbs up)
But when I’m shy, my head hangs low (Bow head)
Credit: Karen Folk. 1001 Rhymes and Fingerplays, via Sunflower Storytimes

Read: Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won

Flannel Song: Five in the Bed
There were five in a bed, and the little one said (5 fingers up)
“Roll over, roll over” (make rolling motion)
And they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in a bed… (continue down to one)

There was one in the bed and the little one said,
(tune of He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands)
“Ahhhhhhhh. I’ve got the whole bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole wide bed to myself!
I’ve got the whole bed to myself,
I’ve got the whole bed to myself! Goodnight!”
Credit: traditional

[My friend Rebecca at Oconee County Library cued me in to connecting the songs Five in the Bed and He’s Got the Whole World; I think it’s a brilliant mashup! I made my own copy of Five in the Bed flannel using inspiration from Adventures in Storytime for the faces and Making Learning Fun for the bed. The faces flip to show their sleeping and surprised faces (the little one starts out grumpy)]

There Were Five in the Bed

Read: Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban & Henry Cole

Ukulele Song: Take a Breath (The Self-Reg Song)
When I’m not doing fine, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath or two
When I want to feel well, I can be still
I can take a breath or two

Breathing in, Breathing out, Breathing in, Breathing out
When I am still, I can be fine, Breathing in and out

Additional verses:
…I can sing a song or two…
…I can move my arms around…

Last verse:
To change how I feel, I keep this in mind
I can take a breath – I can hum a song – I can move my arms –
And feel all right.
Credit: Raffi, from the album Dog on the Floor
Get a downloadable ukulele songsheet here!

Thumbnail of ukulele songsheet for Take a Breath

Finger Rhyme: Five Little Frogs
(hold each finger in turn, starting with the thumb)
Five little frogs standing in a row
This little frog stubbed his toe
This little frog said, “Oh, Oh, Oh!”
This little frog laughed and was glad
This little frog cried and was sad
This little frog, so thoughtful and good,
Ran for the doctor as fast as he could
Credit: Mansfield/Richland County (OH) Public Library

Read: The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Song: If You’re Happy and You Know it
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!)
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray (hooray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it shout hooray

Additional verses:
If you’re grumpy and you know it, stomp your feet…
If you’re sad and you know it have a cry (boo hoo)…
If you’re silly and you know it wave your arms…
If you’re surprised and you know it shout “oh my!”…
If you’re scared and you know it, cover your eyes…
Credit: Traditional

Craft: Paper Plate Faces
from the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award 2020 Program Guide
This activity is a great way to talk about feelings, as well as working on fine motor skills. Use paper plates to make faces by JUST drawing the EYES and NOSE (hair, ears, and eyeglasses optional!)  Use the longer pipe cleaner pieces to make different mouth expressions on the paper plate, and the shorter pieces to make eyebrows if desired. Lead your child with questions like “Can you make a happy face with the pipe cleaner?” and “What would the face look like with an angry expression?” OR, let your child decide what emotion to create, then talk about what they made.

Picture of paper plate craft with examples of a happy, surprised, and angry face made with pipe cleaner mouths and eyebrows.

Suggested Activity: Play with blocks the way Taylor does in The Rabbit Listened. Blocks have many benefits to early learning, such as matching, counting, sorting, and even gravity, balance, and geometry.

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/11/20.

Storytime Handout:

Storytime handout

Preschool Storytime: School

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Although it’s strange and controversial, the school system here started back this past Wednesday, so I decided to use school as a theme for my Tuesday storytime. Since we’re in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I know that “Back to School” will not look the same as it has in the past, so I’ve tried to address that in a way that’s positive and not scary. That also translated into more “discussion” than rhymes and songs, which is unusual. Lots of kudos to Kate Reynolds, who wrote and shared the “Face Mask Song” which is catchy, fun, AND informative!

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Even if your child is too young for school right now, introducing the topic and giving them an idea of what school is all about will help prepare them when the time comes. A child who has had exposure to the idea of school and has some positive connections to it through fun books and songs is more likely to enjoy school, look forward to it, and be ready to get the most out of it when they begin attending school.

Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello

Action Rhyme: A Is for Alligator
A is for alligator: Chomp, chomp, chomp
B is for ball: Bounce, bounce, bounce
C is for circle: Turn ’round and ’round
& D is for dizzy: Let’s all sit down!
Credit: King County Library System

Read: Wow! School! by Robert Neubecker

“If you’re going to school soon, it may be a little different. We all need to wear a mask when we are going outside of our house. It will cover our mouth and nose, and it’s not scary! Our mouth and nose (and everyone else’s) are still there, just covered up. The mask helps catch any germs that we might have and keeps them from getting on anyone else, and their mask keeps their germs away from you. It may feel different at first, but once you get used to it you may even forget it’s there. There are lots of designs – it’s like another piece of clothing you’ll wear.” I modeled a couple different designs I had, then left one on while singing the face mask song. Since it’s slightly harder to hear, I made lyrics cards that I held up while singing.

Lyric cards for the Face Mask Song (click to download)
Lyrics cards for the Face Mask Song

Song: My New Face Mask
(tune of Alouette)
Chorus:
My new face mask, how I love my face mask
My new face mask, it helps keep us safe

Do you put it on your face? Yes, but it must be in place.
On your mouth (On your mouth!)
And your nose (And your nose!)
Both of those (Both of those!)
AAAAAAH!

Chorus

But if you are under two, Masks, my friend, are not for you
Under two (under two!)
Not for you (not for you!)
AAAAAAAH!

Chorus

And because there’s germs in there, treat it like it’s underwear!
Wash each wear (Wash each wear!)
Never share! (Never share!)
Treat it like it’s underwear!
UnderWEAAARR!

Chorus
Credit: Kate Reynolds, Windsor Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Another thing that may be different at school is the need to stay a bit further away from people we don’t live with – 6 feet. That means we shouldn’t be giving hugs or high fives to people outside of our house. What are some other ways we can say hello, let our friends know that we’re excited to see them, or that we love someone from a little farther away?
Wave
Thumbs up (or two thumbs up – Aaaaay!)
Salute (bonus: ASL for Hello)
Peace sign
Vulcan Salute (takes some practice!)
Nod
Bow (hands at sides or hands at heart)
Hand over your heart and nod
Black Panther’s Wakanda forever!
Air high five
Air hug
Special “hello” dance (this is something you might work on with one or two special friends – make it your own!)

Read: The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Action Song: The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, Round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
On the way to school.

Additional verses:
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep…
The driver on the bus says, “Move on back”…
The kids on the bus wave goodbye… when they get to school!
Credit: traditional

Song: The Handwashing Song
(tune of Frère Jacques)
Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms
In between, in between
Scrub them all together, scrub them all together
‘Til they’re clean, squeaky clean
(Sing two times while washing for the 20 sec recommended time)
Credit: Jbrary

Our last two books talked about what we might expect at school, but this is a silly book about a dinosaur’s first day of school!
Read: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

Craft: Paper Bag Backpacks
from Danielle’s Place

Picture of paper bag backpack craft (linked to original site)

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 8/5/20.

Storytime Handout:

Storytime Handout

Preschool Storytime: Food

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This was the last of my virtual programs before our summer reading program started up. At this time we weren’t providing Take and Make packets. Since we were in lockdown there were no handouts and I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child. It was so fun to work with titles that introduced foods with which some of my patrons may be unfamiliar. The books were a lovely introduction and I was happy that several of the songs and rhymes I found from Jbrary had multicultural verses or ones I could adapt to our books.

You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.

Early Literacy Tip: Cooking is great for math skills, spatial awareness, reading recipes, following directions, sequencing, and more. It’s sensory – kids can smell, taste, touch, hear, and see so much during the process, and they are much more likely to be willing to try unfamiliar foods that they had a hand in making.

Read: Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed & Anoosha Syed

Action Song: The Soup is Boiling Up
(tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
The soup is boiling up, (both hands make spiraling motions upward)
The soup is boiling up,
Stir slow around we go, (pretend to stir)
The soup is boiling up.
Additional verses:
The daal is boiling up…
The chili is boiling up…
The beans are boiling up…
The spaghetti is boiling up…
Credit: Jbrary

Rhyme: At the Kitchen Door
1, 2, 3, 4 _______’s at the kitchen door. (insert child’s name)
5, 6, 7, 8 eating _________ off a plate. (insert child’s favorite food and make eating noises)
Credit: Jbrary

Read: 1 Big Salad by Juana Medina

This is a great one for vocabulary, and you can encourage kids and caregivers to make up their own actions!
Action Cheer: Fruits and Veggies Unite
Form banana, form, form banana (one arm lifts over head in an oblong shape)
Form banana, form, form, banana (second arm mirrors)
Peel banana, peel, peel banana (one arm “peels” off to the side)
Peel banana, peel, peel banana (second arm mirrors)
Go bananas, go, go, bananas! (wave arms wildly)
Go bananas, go, go, bananas!
Additional verses:
Form the orange … peel the orange … squeeze the orange
Form the apple … slice the apple … eat the apple
Form the corn … shuck the corn … pop the corn
Form potato … peel potato … mash potato
Credit: Jbrary

Action Song: Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula
(form a knife, fork, spoon, and spatula shape with arms for each word, then shake hands during the “Cha cha chas”)
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon,
I’m a Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula, cha cha cha
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zheng & Charlene Chua

I borrowed the idea to add some multicultural foods to this classic rhyme from Jbrary’s adaptation which they call Sweet Potatoes in the Pot, and added a few verses that fit with our books today.
Bouncing Rhyme: Jelly on a Plate
Jelly on a plate, Jelly on a plate,
Wibble wobble, wibble wobble, Jelly on a Plate

Naan on the tawa, Naan on the tawa,
Turn it round, turn it round, Naan on the tawa.

Tamales in the steamer, tamales in the steamer,
Wrap them up, wrap them up, Tamales in the steamer

Daal in the pot, daal in the pot,
Simmer, simmer, simmer, simmer, Daal in the pot

Salad in the bowl, salad in the bowl
Toss it up, toss it up, Salad in the bowl

Bao in the steamer, bao in the steamer
Eat them up, eat them up, bao in the steamer
Credit: adapted from Jbrary

Activity suggestion: Spend some time together in the kitchen this week. Have fun! Make a salad using your favorite veggies, or, if you’re feeling ambitious, try a new recipe like daal or bao or something else that sounds good. Here’s a great article from The Kitchn that shows how to include your kids in the process of making meals. I love that it includes ideas for babies from 0-18 months up to children age 9, because it’s never to early to get kids involved in cooking and eating healthy foods!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 5/26/20.