Tag: storytime

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.

Baby and Toddler Storytime: Things That Go

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I was getting down to the last few “themes” that seemed to work out of the books I had in my home and a box of books my director pulled for me while the library was closed, but transportation is a classic and there are lots of extensions that go with it! This was also the first video that I re-recorded with booktalks instead of full readings in order to archive it permanently on YouTube. (The full video went live on Facebook and was deleted in a week.) 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.

*EDIT: I’ve realized that the tune “Shortnin’ Bread” is rooted in racism and can be harmful. I’ll no longer be using “Every Little Cell” during storytime, as it uses this tune.

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

Early Literacy Tip: When children are young, they treat books as they would any other toy – they play with them! This means they put them in their mouths and explore them by pushing and pulling and sometimes tearing them. When you allow your young children to explore books, they are learning how to handle them. Keep some in their toy box. You are helping your children develop print awareness. They are learning how books work, with pages that turn. This is one of the skills that researchers have shown is an important part of a strong foundation for reading.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

Read: Vroom! by Barbara McClintock
I love that this title features a female protagonist, lots to look at in the scenery, and even shows the author posing in front of her race car on the back flap!

Action Rhyme: Green Means Go
Green means “GO!” Go! Go! Go! (roll arms quickly)
Yellow means “Slow.” Slow… slow… slow. (roll arms slowly)
Red means “STOP!” (ASL sign for stop: one hand making a chopping motion onto flat opposite hand)
Go! Go! Go! (roll fast!)
Slow… slow… slow. (roll slowly)
Stop! (ASL Sign)
Credit: Jbrary

Song: I’ll Take You Ridin’ in My Car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car (“drive” with a “steering wheel”)
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car, car
I’ll take you ridin’ in my car.
Additional verses:
The doors on the car go open and shut… (hands or arms move open and shut)
The windshield wipers go swish, swish… (arms wiper back and forth)
The horn on the car goes beep, beep… (push the horn)
The engine it goes “brrrmp, brrrmp”… (make engine noises with raspberry lips)
Credit: Woody Guthrie, as adapted by Jbrary

Read: Puppy Truck by Brian Pinkney

Lap Bounce: Bumpity, Bumpity Goes the Dump Truck
(tune of Michael Finnegan)
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Bumpity, bumpity goes the dump truck
Dump out the load! (lean to side or back)
Credit: Jbrary

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
All through the town!

Additional verses:
The money on the bus goes clink, clank, clink…
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
The driver on the bus says “Move on back!”…
The doors on the bus go open and shut…
The babies on the bus go “Wah, wah, wah!”…
The parents on the bus go “Shush, shush, shush!”…
Credit: Traditional

Read: The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! by Mo Willems

Rhythm Rhyme: Hippopotamus on a City Bus
(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)

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, a snake, a snake got on the bus
Yes, a snake, a snake, a snake got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Sssssssssit down!” (motion hand down)

A sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
Yes, a sheep, a sheep, a sheep got on the bus
And all, and all, and all the people said,
“Baaaack up!” (lean far back)
Credit: I’ve known this one a long time, but Jbrary has a lap bounce version.

An off-theme song to wrap up, but one to reinforce some feelings of healthfulness.
*SEE EDIT ABOVE* Ukulele Song: Every Little Cell
(tune of Shortnin’ Bread)
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well
Every little cell in my body is happy
Every little cell is healthy and well

Cells on my left, cells on my right
All my cells are doing just fine
Cells from my top all the way down my spine
My cells work together to keep me in line
Credit: Mick Jeffries taught me the first verse, I wrote the second
(I also saw Allison Davies perform it with a different second verse)

Activity Suggestion: Play with Cars
Take some time to play with cars or trucks this week! You can make a track using tape on the floor, chalk on a sidewalk outside, or use the pattern lines already on rugs or blankets. If you don’t have toy cars, you can decorate toilet paper rolls. You may even want to have a “drive-in movie” at your house by making a car with an old cardboard box. (Image credits to A Little Pinch of Perfect and Welcome to Nana’s)

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

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


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

Baby and Toddler Storytime: Opposites

Posted on by msemilylibrary

I’m not sure what sparked this theme – I think I was pondering that so many of our rhymes and songs feature opposites, and I found and loved the book Up, Up, Up, Down. Then it just all came together. This is the last of my Baby and Toddler themes for spring. During the summer, it seemed like the fairytale theme worked better with longer books, so they were all preschool oriented. I did try to offer bounces and motion alternatives for younger kids during that time. I probably should start alternating again! When I planned this program in mid-May, we weren’t providing handouts or Take and Make packets. I tried to suggest either crafts made with household materials or activities caregivers could do with their child.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Helping children understand the concept of opposites helps give them more information about the world around them. They’re building background knowledge which means they’ll have better comprehension when they start learning to read independently.

Welcome Song: Clap and Sing Hello

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

Action Rhyme: This is Big, Big, Big
This is big, big, big (hold arms out to side)
This is small, small, small (cup hands together)
This is short, short, short (flat hand lowers)
This is tall, tall, tall (flat hand reaches up)
This is fast, fast, fast (circle fists quickly)
This is slow, slow, slow (circle fists slowly)
This is yes, yes, yes (nod head)
This is no, no, no (shake head)
Credit: Mel’s Desk

Read: Up, Up, Up, Down by Kimberly Gee

Lifting Song: The Elevator Song
Oh, the city is great and the city is grand!
There’s a whole lot of people
On a little piece of land
And we live way up on the 57th floor
And this is what we do when we go out the door:

We take the elevator up and the elevator down,
Take the elevator up, take the elevator down
Take the elevator up and the elevator down
And we turn around.
Credit: Jbrary

Earlier in the spring, we talked about how caregivers could make a simple shaker at home using rice or beans in a closable container their child could grip (mine is a 4 oz plastic food container secured with tape). I always say that even if you don’t have a shaker, you can participate by getting out your “magic shaker” – an invisible shaker you can shake and make noise with a “cha-cha” sound.
Shaker Song: We Shake and We Shake and We Stop
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we STOP
We shake and we shake and we shake and we shake
and we shake and we shake and we STOP
Additional verses:
We circle…
We tap…
We roll…
Credit: Jbrary

Shaker Song: Shake Your Shaker
(tune of London Bridge)
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake it here, shake it there
Shake your shakers in the air
Shake your shakers

Shake it high and shake it low
Shake it yes, shake it no
Shake it high and shake it low
Shake your shakers

Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shaker on the ground
Shake it up and shake it down
Shake your shakers

Shake it near and shake it far
Drive your shaker like a car
Shake it near and shake it far
Shake your shaker

Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake it stop, shake it go
Shake it fast and shake it slow
Shake your shaker
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Don’t Wake Up the Tiger by Britta Teckentrup

Tickle song: Spots, Spots, Spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
A leopard has lots of spots
What a lot of spots he got
A tiger’s stripes are always nice
But a leopard has lots of spots
Spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots, spots
Credit: Jbrary

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

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

Activity Suggestion: Opposites Scavenger Hunt
Spend some time this week searching for and pointing out opposites with your child in your everyday life. Remember to look for things that can be felt (rough/smooth, soft/hard, wet/dry) as well as those that can be seen (tall/short, round/square, black/white). Explore movement opposites with our rhymes or a game of your own (fast/slow, loose/rigid, over/under, in front/behind.)

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

This storytime was presented virtually on 5/19/20.

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

Flannelboard: Royal Crowns

Posted on by msemilylibrary

Looking for “royalty” songs and rhymes for the Royal Tea Party theme, I came across Miss Sarah’s Storytime Blog, where she used Elsa from Frozen to talk about colors and days of the week. I loved this concept, but I tend to shy away from licensed characters. I played around in Canva to create my own royal family. I love that you can customize SOME of the clipart by changing colors, but I seriously wish that was an option for more of their image library. Especially people – I want to be able to show diversity in my printed materials and it’s a sad fact that there are far more options for white people than BIPOC and much of the art cannot be customized. In any case, after a long time searching for similar art styles that could be customized to my liking, I had my own royal family and set of multi-colored crowns.

In storytime, I introduce this song by saying hello to the royal family and explaining who they were. I explained that the (adult) princess married a Duke and their children were the royal twins and a royal baby. Very twee, but I didn’t want to subject the King and Queen to adult children as well as an infant! We then said they don’t look very royal without their crowns, so proceeded with the song. For each verse we talked about the colors of the crowns and gemstones in them – some verses were more awkward (three-syllable amethyst was a mouthful) but I liked the extra vocabulary. Everything could easily be simplified (even to one royal who changes crowns each day).

Flannel Song: Royal Crowns
(tune of Mary Wore Her Red Dress)
The king wore his purple crown, purple crown, purple crown
The king wore his purple crown every Monday!

The queen wore her red crown, red crown, red crown
The queen wore her red crown every Tuesday!

The princess wore her emerald crown, emerald crown, emerald crown
The princess wore her emerald crown every Wednesday!

The duke wore his sapphire crown, sapphire crown, sapphire crown
The duke wore his sapphire crown every Thursday!

The prince wore his silver crown, silver crown, silver crown
The prince wore his silver crown every Friday!

The princess wore her amethyst crown, amethyst crown, amethyst crown
The princess wore her amethyst crown every Saturday!

The royal baby wore their diamond crown, diamond crown, diamond crown
The royal baby wore their diamond crown every Sunday!
Credit: adapted from Miss Sarah’s Storytime blog

I printed mine in color on cardstock, laminated, and put velcro on the back to work on my flannelboard. Download the template here.

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.

Summer Reading Storytime: Explore YOUR Story

Posted on by msemilylibrary

This summer our library used the CSLP theme Imagine Your Story, so each week had some kind of fairy tale/fantasy theme. However, the first week I wanted to switch the emphasis from Imagine Your Story to Imagine Your Story. So, our books and songs are about family and personal history.

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

Early Literacy Tip: Breaking words into syllables in songs, rhymes, and by clapping them out (like in our song Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee) is a component of developing phonological awareness (awareness of the smaller sounds that words are made of) which leads to later success in reading and spelling.

Read: We Are Family by Patricia Hegarty & Ryan Wheatcroft
What is a family? What do families do for each other? Who’s in a family?

Fingerplay: Where is Family?
(tune of Where is Thumbkin)
Where is Mama? Where is Mama? (hide hands behind back)
Here I am! Here I am! (bring out one hand at a time with index finger raised)
How are you today, dear? Very well, I thank you! (index fingers “talk” to each other)
See you soon! See you soon! (one hand at a time is hidden behind back)
[Repeat with Papa, brother, sister, grandma, cousin, etc.]
Credit: traditional

Action Rhyme: Here are Grandma’s Glasses
Here are grandma’s glasses (make circles around eyes)
And here is Grandma’s hat, (fold hands on top of head)
Here’s the way she folds her hands (fold hands)
And puts them on her lap. (place hands in lap)

Here are Grandpa’s glasses, (make circles around eyes)
Here is Grandpa’s hat, (make a triangle on top of head)
Here’s the way he folds his arms (fold arms)
And has a little nap. (pretend to sleep/snore)
Credit: Storytime Secrets

Read: All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino

Shaker Song: Alabama, Mississippi
Alabama, Mississippi. Alabama, New Orleans
Alabama, Mississippi. Shake it on down to New Orleans!
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake, Shake, Shake – Shake it baby
Shake it on down to New Orleans!
Credit: Jim Gill (from the album Jim Gill Sings the Sneezing Song and Other Contagious Tunes)

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.
Credit: Jbrary

Read: Alma and How She Got Her Name – Juana Martinez-Neal

Before this chant, we talk about syllables, the smaller parts of a word.
Rhythm Chant: Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee
Hickety-Pickety Bumble Bee
Won’t you say your name for me? – Emily!
Let’s clap and say it!
Em-i-ly! (clap-clap-clap with syllables)
Let’s say it loud! – Em-i-ly! (shout)
Let’s say it quiet. – Em-i-ly! (whisper)
(repeat for everyone in the room)
Credit: Stories with Ms. Jenna

Song: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt,
His name is my name too!
Whenever we go out, the people always shout
There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
Da da da da da da da!
Credit: traditional

Craft: Family Portrait
Make a picture of your family! Glue down the craft sticks in a house shape (liquid glue works best), then draw yourself and your family. You can include friends, pets, as well as extended family if you wish, or just keep it to those who live with you. You can decorate your house, add details like trees and flowers, outdoor animals, furniture, whatever you’d like!

Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars

I also thought about this rhyme to take the place of the Where is Family song, but didn’t end up using it.
Fingerplay: Come a Look a See
(separate and wiggle fingers for each family member starting with pinky for mama)
Come a look a see, Here’s my mama
Come a look a see, Here’s my papa
Come a look a see, my brother tall
Sister, baby, Muah! (kiss all fingertips together)
I love them all!
Credit: Jbrary

This storytime was presented virtually on 6/2/20.

Storytime Handout: